Robert Osborne, from Ashmore (QLD), has been crowned the One Millionth Holden Scramble Participant at Mt Warren Park Golf Club on the Gold Coast today.
An iconic part of the Australian golfing landscape the Holden Scramble is Australia’s largest pro-amateur club team’s event and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2016.
As the One Millionth player, Osborne and his team of Daniel Osborne (son), Greg McGibbon and Dereck Odgaard, will head off on the trip of a lifetime to attend the 2017 PGA TOUR Championship, by Coca-Cola in Atlanta next September.
Osborne, who initially thought the announcement was a wind-up by some of the boys at the club, was shocked to learn he was the millionth player.
“This is terrific. I really don’t know what to say; it’s amazing,” said Osborne.
“I really don’t quite believe this is happening; this is one of the biggest things I’ve ever won by far.”
Holden Scramble competitions are held across Australia, from every major city to regional hubs such as Broome, Kalgoorlie, Alice Springs, Cairns and Norfolk Island.
Local level winners go on to compete in Regional Finals with the winning team from each final progressing to the Holden Scramble Championship Final held at Twin Waters Golf Club in November.
Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia, was delighted to see the Holden Scramble reach such a significant milestone and that the event continues to thrive at clubs around Australia thanks to the generous support from GM Holden.
“The PGA is extremely proud of the success and longevity of the Holden Scramble. To reach this milestone of one million participants in the same year we are celebrating the event’s 25th anniversary is a fantastic indication of the position the brand holds in the Australian golf industry.”
“The relationship we’ve formed with GM Holden has assisted the PGA grow the game of golf at grassroots level in all corners of Australia and we greatly appreciate the support they have given us over the past 25 years.”
“Holden is delighted that its association with the Holden Scramble has provided the opportunity to grow golf at the grassroots level, together with providing an opportunity for local Holden Dealers to grow their business and community involvement. Holden has a long and proud history supporting Australian golf that dates back to the early 90s and we’re excited to be celebrating this momentous milestone,” said Simon McNamara, Sponsorship and Motorsport Manager at Holden.
Osborne and his team will receive return economy airfares flying Delta Air Lines to the USA, where they will be treated with inbound and outbound transfers, four night’s accommodation (twin share) and tickets to the 2017 PGA TOUR Championship by Coca Cola, the final event of the four-tournament FedEx Cup playoffs.