The NSW Open - a golf tournament steeped in history

The 2007 NSW Open broke new ground for golf tournaments in Australia with the introduction of a Team Challenge pro-am format as part of the final two days of championship play.

The Team Challenge Pro-Am is played in conjunction with the final two rounds of the Championship, and provides the pro-am player the opportunity to experience tournament golf first hand and when the title is decided.

The overwhelming success of this new concept, coupled with relocation of the event to The Vintage, a Greg Norman designed Championship golf course in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country, has guaranteed a bright future for this iconic Australian event. Established back in 1931, this prestigious Championship in its original 'closed' form was only available to players who were New South Welshmen. As the popularity of the tournament grew it was ranked as one of the 'Big 3' together with The Australian Open and The Australian PGA Championship.

Up until 1957 many legends of the golfing world played and won The NSW Open including five time amateur champion Jim Ferrrier, four time winner Norman Von Nida and 2007 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Kel Nagle.

Opening the playing field up to all golfers in 1958 attracted many talented golfers from among local talent and also from around the nation wtih a few internationals wanting to lay claim to The NSW Open title. Many of Australian golf's elite players have their names on the trophy, including Greg Norman, Peter Thompson, Jack Newton, Ian Baker Finch and Craig Parry.

The 1990's saw the NSW Open among other state tournaments face hardship and fall from major event status; a trend which continued until 2000 when the PGA Tour approached the NSW Golf Association (now Golf NSW) to resurrect the Open as part of the development tour. The idea was to ensure that local talent was adequately provided with opportunities and programs to ensure their success in transferring from the Pro Am circuit to the full Australasian Tour.

In 2007 The NSW Open found a new home at The Vintage, in the popular Hunter Valley wine district, and the tournament has been held there in 2008, 2009 and now 2010.

With the continued resurgence of the NSW Open, and again being scheduled the week immediately prior to the Australian Open, this again provides the ideal opportunity for the leading players to vie for the NSW Open title whilst honing their skills for a tilt at the national title the week later.