The 40^th edition of the Bartons/BMD Wynnum Pro-Am will likely see one of the best fields ever assembled for the event celebrating a long history and partnership between the PGA of Australia, Bartons, BMD and the Wynnum Golf Club.

The AU$50,000 event, the richest one-day tournament on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series, will be held Monday 3 December at Wynnum Golf Club, allowing the event to host a stellar field following the Australian PGA Championship which will conclude on Sunday 2 December at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

Two-time PGA TOUR winner John Senden will headline this year’s field; other notables include Rod Pampling, Ian Baker-Finch, Peter Senior, Rodger Davis, Dimi Papadatos who will make his Major debut at The Open next year, Ashley Hall, Rhein Gibson, James Nitties, Matthew Millar and Damien Jordan. Defending champion Troy Moses, who was joint winner with Steven Jones in 2017 following impressive rounds of 9-under 61, is back to defend his title.

A schedule of celebratory events are planned for the presentation evening to mark the 40^th Pro-Am including an auction, player interviews and live entertainment.

There will also be a number of sporting celebrities playing in the event including Ben Ikin, Michael Hancock and Andrew Gee to add to the already strong field of professionals.

State Manager of the QLD/NT PGA Broc Greenhalgh said the Bartons/BMD Wynnum Pro-Am is a fitting end to the 2018 Ladbrokes PGA Pro-Am Series.

“The Wynnum Pro-Am has always been one of the highlights of the year though this year we have one of the strongest fields we have ever seen which is a great way to celebrate the 40^th anniversary,” said Greenhalgh.

“The great support from the likes of John Senden, Peter Senior and Rod Pampling is primarily due to the commitment the event has shown to PGA Professionals for so many years, and we are looking forward to seeing the crowds again coming out to watch the star studded field.”

Thanks to Bartons/BMD and Wynnum Golf Club, the event is one of the longest running pro-am events in the country and Bartons Dealer Principal Mark Beitz is excited to have reached this milestone with such great momentum.

“Getting to play alongside the likes of Rod Pampling, John Senden, Ian Baker-Finch, Peter Senior In addition to the newcomers such as Dimi Papadatos is just amazing and watching their careers progress over the years is testament to not only Bartons and BMD but also the many other companies that support this tournament,” said Beitz.

“The course is in fantastic condition and scoring from the professionals will be low.”

Eighty PGA Professionals will tee it up alongside sponsors and amateurs teeing off from 6am with the marquee players scheduled from 11.30am.

Entry to Wynnum Golf Club will be free for the public to catch some of the best golfers in the country compete for the AU$50,000 prize purse.

The Bartons/BMD Wynnum Pro-Am celebrated 39 years as one of the longest running events and the richest one-day tournament on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am schedule with prize money of AU$60,000.

This year’s event has attracted one of the strongest fields we have seen to date on the 2017 Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series including Ian Baker–Finch, Mikko Ilonen, Rod Pampling, Jason Norris, Ash Hall, Rhein Gibson, Matthew Millar and Damien Jordan.

Professionals Steven Jones and Troy Moses have shared victory after firing solid rounds of 9-under par 61 to win by two shots from Professionals Simon Hawkes and Damien Jordan who finished on 7-under par 63.

Joint winners Jones and Moses were fortunate to have the early start and posted their scores before play was suspended for an hour due to rain and lighting. When play got underway again the inclement weather had settled in making for more difficult scoring conditions for the afternoon field.

Sydney based Professional Moses’ round consisted of nine birdies coming at the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 7^th and 8^th for a 5-under par 29 front nine followed by further birdies on the 11^th, 12^th 13^th, and 17^th holes to close the back nine in 32.

“I’ve played well over the last few weeks," said Moses.

“I just haven’t been scoring well, but today everything came together.

“I made a really good start to my round with three birdies in a row; I only had 23 putts which made all the difference to my score."

Sanctuary Cove based professional Steven Jones’ round consisted of seven birdies coming at the 1^st, 3^rd, 7^th, 9^th and an eagle on the 2^nd to complete the front nine in 5-under 29. The back nine birdies coming at the 10^th, 12^th, 15^th and 16^th holes resulting in a 4-under par 32.

“I started the round birdie, eagle, birdie which gave me a lot of confidence,” said Jones.

“I also was lucky to have Kate my wife on the bag today, Kate always keeps me really grounded.

“I’ve been working really hard on my game in preparation for Qualifying School this week in Melbourne. It’s a real bonus to win here today and the money will really be useful with Christmas just around the corner."

The next best placed Professionals were Ben Clementson and Tim Hart who both finished on 6-under par 64 to round out the top positions.

Professionals will now enjoy a well-deserved Christmas break ahead of preparations for the 2018 Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series.