A host of Australian celebrities will join Tour Professionals for an inside the ropes experience at Huntingdale Golf Club next month for the Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus Victorian PGA Championship.

As an added bonus, Professionals at this year’s tournament will also be vying for an increased prize purse of AU$110,000.

The Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus Victorian PGA Championship is one of several tournaments on the PGA Tour of Australasia that has enjoyed a prize money boost in the past 12-months, thanks to the PGA of Australia’s commitment to increasing tournament earnings for players.

"This rise is in line with our strategy of continuing to increase prize money across all tournaments," said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Australia.

"By raising our purses we motivate playing opportunities for those across all entry categories and provide players valuable opportunities on the PGA Tour of Australasia."

The tournament, which is modelled on the famous AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California, will see 92 of Australia’s finest young and upcoming Professionals alongside celebrities and amateurs.

Adelaide Strikers regular, Brad Hodge, will be one of several sporting personalities who will tee it up at the championship golf course on 9 February.

Former Olympic gold medallist and tennis superstar, Todd Woodbridge, and celebrated Australian cricketers, Ricky Ponting and Damien Fleming, will also hit the fairways for the second tournament on the 2016 PGA Tour of Australasia schedule.

Also tasting life inside the ropes will be Australian television and radio presenter Shura Taft, Kerri-Anne Kennerley and well respected sports journalist, Mike Sheahan.

Returning to Huntingdale Golf Club for a second year, the Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus Victorian PGA Championship boasts a strong field that includes defending champion, Aaron Townsend.

Townsend will return to the sandbelt in hope of securing a back-to-back win after he holed a bunker shot on the 18th to claim victory over fellow New South Welshman, Scott Strange, last year.

"It’s wonderful to have Aaron return to defend his title and join a field that comprises of numerous Professionals who have secured victories on the PGA Tour of Australasia over the past 12 months," said David Tapping, Southern Division State Manager at the PGA of Australia.

Joining Townsend in the field this year is 2014 Australian Masters champion, Nick Cullen and experienced Web.com Tour players, Ash Hall and Huntingdale local Alistair Presnell, together with a further six Professionals who secured victories on the PGA Tour of Australasia in 2015.

Matt Millar (Holden NZ PGA Championship), Jordan Zunic (BMW NZ Open), David Bransdon (Isuzu Queensland Open), Daniel Fox (Nexus Risk TSA Group WA Open), Ben Eccles (NSW Open) and Jarryd Felton (NSW PGA Championship) will all make a start in this year’s tournament.  

Huntingdale Golf Club’s Captain David Parton, is pleased to see such a strong field and the opportunity presented to spectators to not only enjoy four days of fantastic competition but also the club’s hospitality.

"Huntingdale are delighted to again host the Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Bus Victorian PGA Championships. We look forward to again welcoming the Professionals, celebrities and amateurs back to Huntingdale for this unique event."  

In its 92nd year, the Victorian PGA Championship boasts an impressive list of past champions including, Marc Leishman, Stuart Appleby, Peter Senior, Bruce Devlin, Kel Nagle, Peter Thomson and five-time winner, Jack Harris.

The Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus Victorian PGA Championship will tee off on Tuesday 9th February with the champion set to be crowned on Friday 12th February.

Professionals will be playing for a slice of the AU$110,000 purse and the prized Jack Harris Cup.

Spectators can enjoy free entry to the tournament across all four days of competition with convenient links to public transport nearby.  

Further information about the Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus Victorian PGA Championship can be found on the tournament website www.vicpga.com.au