Maleny dares golfers to take on the Red Belly Challenge

Clubhouse view over the 18th Green at the Maleny Golf House

Maleny Golf Club is daring all competition golfers to take on its testing new Red Belly Challenge and beat their official handicap off the Sunshine Coast Hinterland course’s Championship Tees.

Club Professional Wayne Perske said players would compete for great prizes in the monthly single-stroke event and anyone who beat their adjusted AGU handicap stood to win a dozen premium Srixon Z Star golf balls – more than covering the cost of their $45 entry fee.

“We’ve established this competition to appeal to mid-week golfers keen to test their skills and abilities against course architect Graham Papworth and the championship set-up by our award-winning Superintendent Mick McCombe,” Wayne said.

“The course record of six-under 62 is currently held by Adam Scott, who played a few rounds here with us during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, so it will be interesting to see how that stands up.”

Inspired by Kooralbyn Valley’s famed Copperhead Challenge, the first Maleny Red Belly Challenge will be held on Wednesday 27 January 2021 and winners of the monthly events will be invited back to play in an annual final in September.

The Par 68 course is comprised of two Par 5s, 10 Par 4s and 6 Par 3s featuring unique revetted greenside bunkering, Tiffdwarf Bermuda Grass greens and Kikuyu fairways within a peaceful, scenic hinterland setting. (Plans are afoot though to soon convert the 9th hole to a Par 5, taking the front 9 holes to Par 35).

The new monthly competition was officially launched on Sunday December 6 2020 at the inaugural Maleny Invitational for Mid-Amateur and Senior players involving a strong field of 112 golfers.

Monthly prizes being provided by sponsors Srixon and Spicers Tamarind Retreat, will include a Maleny Golf Club shirt with a Red Belly Challenge logo and a dinner for two for winners, as well as a traditional ball rundown.

The annual winner will enjoy an overnight bed and breakfast for two at Spicers Tamarind Retreat.

Competition dates for 2021 have been set on Wednesday 27 January, 24 February, 21 April, 26 May, 23 June, 28 July, 25 August and 22 September, 24 November and 22 December (TBC).

• For more information or to register contact the Maleny Golf Club on 07 5499 9960 or go to www.malenygolfclub.com.au/golf/red-belly-challenge/