Roma first stop for the Outback Masters

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Truckie Steve Outen shares local insight into Roma for the Outback Queensland Masters tournament.

With 2019 as the year of Outback tourism in Queensland, the state government in collaboration with Golf Australia has launched an innovative, multi-location golf event aimed at encouraging tourists to Outback Queensland.

And as a final for the event with six locations, the inaugural Outback Queensland Masters offer a $ 1 million hole-in-one challenge in Mt Isa.

The inaugural Outback Masters of Queensland start in Roma on June 17-18 and visit Charleville (June 22-23), Longreach (June 29-30), Winton (June 13-14) and Boulia (June 22-23), before end in Mount Isa on July 26-28. Each event will take the form of two rounds with nine holes played on consecutive days, including a novelty hole at each location that connects to a local tourist experience.

And despite the recent prolonged drought, the Greens Director of Roma Golf Cub Club, Steve Outen, says the course will be an intriguing challenge for golfers making the journey west.

"It is a par 72 course with the standard four par three, four par five and ten par fours, but at 6263 meters it is slightly longer than most courses," he said.

& # 39; That is due to the flight we make here. We have grass t-shirts and grass green, but due to the drought the fairways are very dry and the run is amazing. Hopefully there will be some rain by June and things will become greener. "

But Steve is adamant golfers in a westerly direction, because the Outback Masters will enjoy the visit for more reasons than just the two nine-hole golf courses.

"I'm probably biased, but I doubt there is a friendlier golf club in Queensland – maybe even the world," the local truckie enthusiastically said.

"Our club, our city and our neighborhood just love to see visitors. We have so much to see here that is different from the usual attractions of the city and the coast. And as soon as visitors make that first visit, they almost always come again back. "

Steve mentioned under the & # 39; must-see & # 39; local attractions the Carnarvon National Park and Gorge, the Big Rig Gas and Oil Museum, artesian baths in nearby Mitchell and the largest livestock sales complex in the southern hemisphere.

"And we have a large number of accommodations in hotels, motels and caravan parks, although sleeping under the stars here is an experience that few will forget," he said.

At the launch of the Queensland Outback Masters in January, Tourism Minister Kate Jones said that hundreds of amateur golfers were expected to visit Outback Queensland for the event and encouraged them to extend their stay after the days they were on the golf course had spent

"This is a great way to experience Outback Queensland, travel to any event and explore that region's unique tourism offer. From rugged national parks and breathtaking gorges to world heritage site fossil fields, historic towns and iconic pubs, we want that people go to Outback Queensland, "she said.

Stephen Pitt, CEO of Golf Australia, praised the innovative concept that, according to him, could throw a spotlight not only on some major regional centers in Queensland, but also on golf courses that might not be famous, but that have great appeal.

"Whether they are sand or grass green, the courses that will play the fields of Outback Queensland Masters are unique and a great representation of golf as a welcoming cornerstone of communities in Australia," he said.

"I am sure that the rounds, courses and club experiences in every center are something that participants will gladly remember for years"