The newly designed Riverside Oaks Bungool course will play host next week to the $40,000 NSW/ACT PGA Trainee Championship with competitors from NSW, the ACT, Queensland and Victoria flocking to the region.

Defending champion William Flitcroft from the Manly Golf Club is Sydney will face stiff opposition with the number one ranked PGA Trainee nationally Fraser Droop looking to add the NSW trophy to his growing list of achievements.

Droop, the current reigning PGA National Futures Champion will be on a quick back-up having competed in the Vanuatu Golf Open which concludes only two days prior to round one of the Championships.

Also in the field is the leading NSW/ACT PGA Trainee Mitchell Gannon from Kogarah Golf Club who in his rookie year has already amassed five victories and eight top-five finishes.

PGA of Australia Senior State Manager David Barker explains the importance of these events

“These tournaments provide valuable playing experiences to prepare these athletes for hope to adapt on tour. Not all of our PGA Trainees will want to pursue a playing career however it exposes them to how an ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia event may be conducted," said Barker.

“Riverside Oaks is an ideal tournament venue, it has a championship course, practice facilities and accommodation on site. I’m sure all the Trainees will be looking forward to the week.”

Last year the Bungool course bared its teeth with 50 kilometre an hour winds causing havoc to players across all four days. This year, the course is expected to play much softer with favourable weather forecast along with less severe rough surrounding the fairways.

The 72 hole tournament will begin on Tuesday 28 August 2018 and conclude on Friday 31 August 2018.