Nation's top golfers flock to Wollongong ahead of NSW Open

The 2025 Women’s NSW Open will tee off at Wollongong Golf Club on 20 March, and competitors are already in town.

When Tropical Cyclone Alfred forced the cancellation of the WPGA Championship on the Gold Coast, it left many of the game’s best female players scrambling for somewhere to sit out the tempest.

Ladies European Tour (LET) players Kelsey Bennett (NSW), Michelle Thomson (Scotland), and LPGA veteran Sarah Kemp (NSW) took the opportunity to arrive early at Wollongong Golf Club for some extra preparation.

The trio aren’t the only players who have arrived early.

Kiwi sister-act trio Munchin, Wenyung, and Siyi Keh are already in town, with several more European-based players taking up the offer of settling early with their billets.

Although she’s happy to be back in familiar surroundings, Bennett, who hails from Mollymook, admitted the WPGA cancellation was a disappointing way to begin her LET rookie year, especially after spruiking the sun and surf opportunities on the four-tournament Australian swing to her colleagues.

“All I do is rave about how good Australia is to the LET girls, and they come out here, and then tournaments get cancelled because of a cyclone,” she said.

“It’s super unfortunate, but it is what it is. We’re all in the same boat, but sometimes it’s just hard to swallow.”

Despite the setback, Bennett is looking forward to competing at Wollongong, a course she’s familiar with from her junior days.

“I think it’s awesome,” she said.

“I’ve played here for a few years growing up as a junior, so I’ve got a good little advantage.”

When asked how she thought her playing partners would handle the course, Bennett was optimistic; however, she identified some potential pitfalls.

“I think they’re gonna love it,” she said.

“The course looks mint, but the most challenging thing will be the small greens, and then you’ve got the thick grass around if you miss the green.

“I think that could be where some girls slip up during the week.

“I am so looking forward to playing well there. Hopefully I will go alright.”

Thomson, like Bennett, was disappointed no golf was played this week on the Gold Coast.

Thomson said the decision to head directly to Wollongong was easy, especially with the better weather and access to the course.

“We were looking for somewhere warm with no rain and a bit less windy, plus we wanted to come down for a good look anyway,” she said.

“I’ve never played here before so I am looking forward to it; it does remind me a little bit of the courses back home.”

LPGA player Sarah Kemp, from Tuncurry on the NSW Mid North Coast, is using the three-event swing to test her strength after suffering a severe leg injury last year.

Kemp said the Wollongong visit might not have been her first time visiting the city venue.

Although the layout seemed unfamiliar, her Dad insisted she had played here before.

“I told him I had never played here before, but he said, ‘Yes, you have, you shot a course record there,’” she said.

“I don’t really know if that’s true or not.

“I’ll need to go through the clubhouse and see if there is a course record board with my name on it.

“Either way, I’m just happy to be here, safe, and the place looks beautiful.”

The 2025 Women’s NSW Open will run from 20-23 March at the Wollongong Golf Club.