Outback Queensland Masters sells out

Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Outback Queensland’s iconic Masters golf event has sold out a month before tee-off in a boost for outback tourism.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said more than 1000 players from across Australia would compete in the Outback Queensland Masters which begins on June 19 at Biloela.

“Major events are an important part of the Palaszczuk Government’s economic recovery plan,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Events like the Masters not only fill local fairways, they deliver extra cash for local businesses and support Outback jobs.

“The Palaszczuk Government has partnered with Golf Australia to develop the Outback Masters and promote the region’s world-class visitor experiences.

“We’ve hit a hole-in-one in 2021 with this iconic event already selling out in a big vote of confidence for golf and Outback Queensland.”

The Outback Masters runs over six weekends from June 19 to July 25.

Competition will centre on Biloela, Charleville, Quilpie, Blackall and Hughenden.

The Outback Masters finishes in Longreach with a ‘Million Dollar Hole-in-One Challenge’.

Minister Hinchliffe said the Outback Masters was designed to see golfers compete in multiple events on different courses.

“It’s a great way of encouraging golfers to extend their stay in the outback and support local businesses,” he said 

“The Outback Masters demonstrates the importance of events for driving visitors to regional Queensland and spending money with business including motels and cafes.

“With this event there are numerous outback experiences to discover along the way from rugged national parks and stunning gorges, to World Heritage-listed fossil fields, historic towns and iconic pubs.”

The Outback Masters is expected to generate more than 5,000 visitor nights for the Outback and contribute more than $1.4 million to the region’s economic recovery plan.

Many outback hotels are booked out thanks to the Outback Queensland Masters, with reports visitors are extending their length of stay.

Golf Australia’s Queensland senior manager Luke Bates said he was delighted the team’s work was rewarded with a sell-out success.

“We would especially like to thank our strategic partners Tourism and Events Queensland, the Palaszczuk Government -who supported the event through the Year of Outback Tourism – and PGA of Australia,” he said.

“Support from local golf clubs and their members who so eagerly embraced the Masters has been integral to this success.

“It could not have been staged without assistance of Banana Shire Council, Murweh Regional Council, Blackall Tambo Regional Council, Flinders Shire Council, Quilpie Shire Council and Longreach Regional Council.”

Tourism contributes an estimated $467.4 million to Outback Queensland and supports 4,500 jobs.

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