The Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open has received a significant boost on the eve of the Championship with the NSW Minister for Sport, The Honourable Stuart Ayres MP, announcing The NSW government will support the tournament for the next two years.

The Minister, flanked by the Member for Albury, Mr Greg Aplin, said the State Government’s commitment would assist Golf NSW in cementing the tournament’s place as one of the premier events on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour.

The 2018 Championship will feature Australian legends like Peter Senior, and a host of other notable players including Craig Parry, Peter O’Malley, and Mike Harwood, who are all former winners on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia, competing for a much sought after state title.Two-time Australian Open Champion Peter Fowler will also be making his tournament debut.

“This is a chance for the people of Albury to walk the fairways and watch some of the game’s finest up-close, and I can’t think of a better incentive for the golfing community to want to be involved with than this," Minister Ayres said.

Member for Albury, Mr Greg Aplin, said the Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open had become an important fixture on the Albury sporting landscape and he was delighted to welcome the tournament back to the region in 2018.

“The 2017 event was an absolute success, so we are naturally thrilled Thurgoona Country Club is again hosting this important event on the golfing calendar.

"The NSW Senior Open provides a fantastic opportunity for players aged over 50 to compete in a top-level Championship event that we are proud to host, ” Mr Aplin said.

CEO of Golf NSW, Mr Stuart Fraser, said the organisation was grateful for the support Minister Ayres and the NSW Government is providing to the Championship. He added the combination of a sizeable prize purse and the high calibrate of athletes would make for a competitive event and a real treat for followers of the sport.

“The assistance of the State Government will ensure the tournament’s future for this year and next.

“Golf is the number one pastime Australia-wide for those aged over 50, and tournaments like the Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open assist us in promoting the game as the ideal recreational activity for young and old.

“Fans can walk the fairways beside their favourite player and will no doubt see golf at it’s best,” Mr Fraser said.

Gavin Kirkman CEO of the PGA of Australia, which owns the Ladbrokes Legends Tour said, “On behalf of our professional golfers I would like to commend the NSW government on its commitment to golf. The PGA’s aim is to make elite golf available to sports fans all over Australia and through the support of Golf NSW and the state government we are delighted to be heading back to Albury and the Thurgoona Country Club.”

Fifty-three Senior Professionals hit off in perfect conditions at Young Golf Club in the final Round of the Young Services Club Legends Pro-Am.

The Leading group of Grant Kenny (65), David Ecob (69) and Mike Harwood (69) were where the smart money was placed as thee trio began the final round.

The early pace was set by John Onions recording a round of 1-under 69 for a 143 total but with Kenny making birdies at the opening three holes the event was his for the taking after he teed off with a four-shot lead.

Kenny stumbled slightly with bogies on the 5th, 7th and 13th holes but birdies at the 17th and 18th were enough to back up his opening round of 5-under 65 with 3-under 67 for an eight-shot victory over Mike Harwood.

The commanding winner complimented the course and attributed solid ball striking over the two days for his victory.

Kenny, who has family members in Young, is looking forward to returning in 2019 to defend his title.

The Ladbrokes Legends Tour now moves on to the Blue Mountains to play Springwood and Blackheath.

Grant Kenny of NSW has carded a bogey-free round to lead the Young Services Club Ladbrokes Legends Pro-Am by four shots.

Five birdies saw him return with 5-under 65 on a perfect day in country New South Wales.

Earlier in the day, David Ecob posted 1-under 69 but last years New South Wales Senior Open Champion Kenny showed his class, mastering the tricky par-70 layout.

Mike Harwood, in his first event since returning from the Staysure European Senior Tour, posted a solid 69 putting him in the final group with Kenny and Ecob for the final round.

Fifty-four senior professional are competing at young including one Lady Senior Professional, Gillian Rae, who carded 76 to be tied 16^th.

Play is underway now for the final round.