The 2016 Oates Vic Open will be held between the 4th and 7th of February at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links. 

After a fairy tale finish earlier this year with engaged couple Richard Green and Marianne Skarpnord becoming champions, the Oates Vic Open is set to excite once again in 2016. 

First played in 1957 the event will return to Thirteenth Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads for the fourth consecutive year. 

Thirteenth Beach Golf Links has established itself as a leading Australian golf facility and has been the host venue of the Oates Vic Open since 2013. 

“It’s been incredibly successful hosting the event in the Greater Geelong region and we are proud to be remaining there until at least the end of 2018,” said Simon Brookhouse, Golf Victoria CEO. 

With substantial support from naming rights sponsor, Oates as well as local and state governments, the event has seen a resurgence over the past few years with the trend expected to continue next year. 

“The support from our sponsors and all levels of Government has been a key factor in the success of the event and we’re determined to make 2016 no exception,” Brookhouse added. 

“Spectator attendance figures have grown steadily and we hope that next year’s event will continue to attract a strong local crowd as well as drawing audiences from Melbourne and all other regions of Victoria.”  

The Oates Vic Open is the only event in the world that plays men and women simultaneously on the same courses for equal prize money, a format that has been praised by both players and spectators. 

“We’ve very proud that our state Open is played in such a unique format. The talent in both fields is world-class so it makes sense to us to play both the men and women together.”

The 2016 Oates Vic Open will remain a sanctioned event on the PGA Tour of Australasia and ALPG Tour.

Boasting an extensive honour roll including Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Gary Player, Greg Norman, Ian Baker-Finch, and in more recent times Stacey Keating and Minjee Lee, spectators can expect to see an abundance of talent at the 2016 Oates Vic Open.