Axedale, Neangar host professionals for annual golf pro-am tournaments

This week both Axedale and Neangar Park Golf Clubs will hold their annual Pro-Am events.

First up on Thursday is the Symes Motors BMW Axedale Pro-Am where local professional Kris Mueck will be among the field.

"It's great work from the clubs to put in the effort to host myself and the other professionals for what's going to be two great days of golf which will showcase some of the best courses in the area," Mueck said.

"We appreciate the amount of work the clubs put in to organise the pro-ams and we're all ready to get out there."

Mueck, who is the current Axedale record holder with a 59-off-the-stick, was determined to have a change of form for the Bendigo events after a tough couple weeks on tour around the country.

"Hopefully getting back on some home courses that I know and love can hold me in good stead," Mueck said.

"I've been putting in some hard work on the range to build my confidence back up.

'We all have peaks and troughs. This week I will be looking to shoot some reasonable numbers and hopefully a win at either of the competitions would be great."

There have been some upgrades at Axedale since the 2020 pro-am where Queenslander Chris Wood won by one stroke over Andrew Martin.

The 8th and 17th fairways have been resurfaced and will be in prime condition for Thursday.

AGC secretary Owen Davies said it was the first step of the long-term project to improve the course.

"We can't wait for the professionals to get out on the new parts of the course," he said.

"We've done really well to attract a top field and there's going to be a real buzz in the air.

"After a tough year due to COVID-19 this is going to give the players, spectators and everyone the chance to celebrate."

The pro-am starts at 10am today and is part of a festival of golf being held at the club that also includes the annual Open and other events.

Many of the professionals will remain in Bendigo to compete in Friday's Evolution Copy Print Solutions Neangar Park Pro-Am.

Neangar Park president Phil DeAraugo said the club was taking the 2021 running of the event to the next level.

"We're happy to keep supporting the PGA by holding the pro-am and this year with the help of our sponsor Evolution Copy Print Solutions, we will be livestreaming the action," DeAraugo said.

There will be fixed cameras on the first and 18th tees, in addition to a roving camera that will be out on course which can be viewed for free on the club's Facebook page.

In the field will be former event winner Ryan Lynch, club professional Dean Dixon, Mueck in addition to many others.

One name that will be missing from the field in both pro-ams is Neangar member and recent TPS Sydney winner Andrew Martin.

"We are super excited for Andy after his win on the weekend and it's unfortunate he can't be here, but we've certainly been able to lock in some well known names, locals and former winners," DeAraugo said.

After a year filled with uncertainty due to lockdowns and restrictions, both clubs were thrilled to also have amateurs and spectators.

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"With pro-ams there are the lucky amateurs who get to play alongside the professionals and we can also welcome spectators to follow around their favorite players on the fairways," DeAraugo said.

"It also provides a great learning experience for junior amateurs to see the next level of elite golf in action.

"Giving juniors the opportunity to play is an important part of our club's vision and we're proud to have tour players come out of our program."

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