Mr Barilaro and Mr Fraser today attended the Pro Am event at Bonville, before the competition gets underway on Thursday.

Mr Barilaro said the brand new event on the Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) Tour will see more than 140 Australian and international golfers take to the Bonville Golf Resort course.

“Coffs Harbour will be abuzz this week as golf professionals and golf lovers from around the world and Australia arrive in town for this new tournament on the golfing calendar,” Mr Barilaro said.

“The event has brought some of the best players in the world to Coffs Harbour, who, from Thursday until Sunday, will be showcasing their talents on the incredible Bonville course.

“I encourage everyone to get along to Bonville Golf Resort to enjoy the action,” he said.

Players taking part in the tournament include World Hall of Fame inductee Dame Laura Davies and three-time winner on the LPGA Tour Christina Kim.

The event has been secured exclusively for Bonville for the next five years by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

“The NSW Government is committed to growing tourism in rural and regional NSW and securing major events like this one, is a crucial way to achieving that,” Mr Barilaro said.

“This is one of two women’s professional golf events secured exclusively for regional NSW, and along with the Women’s NSW Open, around 16,000 domestic and international visitors are expected to travel to these events over the next five years, boosting the NSW visitor economy by approximately $8 million,” he said.

Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser said the Australian Ladies Classic and the Women’s NSW Open, which will be held at Coffs Harbour Golf Course in March, would provide a significant boost for local businesses, accommodation providers and tourism operators.

“With the final two days of action live on Fox Sports and streamed to more than 65 countries in Europe and Africa, this event provides the perfect opportunity to showcase our sensational corner of NSW to the rest of Australia and the world,” Mr Fraser said.

“Events such as this further enhance Coffs Harbour’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading major event destinations, with the region already home to sporting events such as Rally Australia, the National Touch League and the AFL Masters Carnival,” he said.

The Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville will be held February 22 – 25 at Bonville Golf Resort with tickets available via www.eventbrite.com.au.