Play 9 has arrived again for 2021 and is every golfer’s chance to contest an all-expenses paid national final.

From today, each time a golfer contests a 9-hole competition which is processed through Golflink, an entry into the competition is automatically made!

Golfers may contest as many 9-hole competition rounds as they like through to the end of the qualification period on 15 November.

At that time, two men and two women from each state and the Northern Territory will progress to the national final, either via a state final or a random draw.

The national final will be played over the summer of golf early in 2022, with the national finalists receiving the following at no cost:

• Return flights to the national final from their nearest major city

• Two nights’ accommodation

• $200 local meal and transport allowance

• Attendance at the 2021 Play 9 function

• A player gift pack

• Tickets to a major golf event over the summer of 2021-22 held in conjunction with the Play 9 national final.

The 2021 national finalists will be joined by the 28 players from the 2020 Play 9 event which was cancelled because of COVID-19.

In an exciting development for Play 9 in 2021, there is also an opportunity for casual golfers to take part. Casual golfers may submit scores online with two people drawn at random each month to receive a $100 Drummond Golf gift voucher. At the end of the qualification period, all casual golfer entries go into a draw with two men and two women drawn at random to contest the Play 9 national final.

An initiative of The R&A and Golf Australia, Play 9 encourages 9-hole golf which multiple research studies have suggested can help significantly in attracting new people to the game and retain golfers during time-poor periods of their lives.

General manager of game development at Golf Australia, David Gallichio said, “Play 9 is in its 5th year, with the last Play 9 qualification period resulting in an increase of 45.79% of 9-hole rounds from the previous year.”

Golf Australia is thrilled that golf facilities across the country are embracing more 9-hole golf as a competition and social format and we hope to see this trend continue to increase throughout 2021 and the years ahead.

Only players who have agreed to receive Golf Australia communications are eligible for the competition, therefore it is important that qualifiers have a Golf Australia account and have ticked the box to receive offers and promotions.

For more information visit www.golf.org.au/play9 or contact golfparticipation@golf.org.au.