The Athena Sandy Links Golf Club -Melbourne 2022

SANDY LINKS GOLF CLUB, Melbourne, Victoria: The WPGA Tour announce the first 5 invitees for the Athena 2022 and the return of key commercial partners.

The Athena, a compact two-day event concept, will be played at newly re-designed Sandy Golf Links on Melbourne’s famous sandbelt on the 26th and 27th of February 2022, and will be broadcast live on broadcast live on Fox Sports / Kayo.

The event recently announced 5 (of the 12) players who have accepted invitations to compete in the 2022 Athena:

• Cassie Porter – @cassie_porter_

• Grace Kim - @gracekimmey

• Kirsten Rudgeley - @kirstenrudgeleygolf

• Steph Bunque - @stephaniebunque

• Amelia Garvey (New Zealand) - @ameliagarvey

Steph Bunque, a returning player from the inaugural Athena says:

“I’m super excited to have been invited to take part in the Athena for its second year in a row. To be able to participate in an event which showcases us women and encourages difference and progression in this sport is something I’m definitely proud to be apart of!”

Amelia Garvey is the first player to be invited from New Zealand after a successful collaboration effort by WPGA Tour and Golf NZ for this summer’s event.

The PGA continues to support the Athena as another significant illustration of the collaboration between the PGA of Australasia and the WPGA Tour of Australasia. Golf Australia also proudly support the Athena concept.

Athena is the Greek goddess of war strategy and wisdom. She is a vibrant symbol of youthful strength.A digital qualification for 2 playing spots in The Athena 2022 has been created on the Golf Challenge App: The Athena Q Series. 2 players in the top 10 of the Athena Q Series Leaderboard at the end of January 2022 will play in the Athena 2022. This is a world-first for golf.

Negotiations with other international markets including South Korea and Europe continue.

Of the 12 women to compete in the Athena 2022, 9 are selected by the WPGA Futures Advisory Panel as the best youth players in our region (professional or amateur), 2 from the Athena Q Series and Amelia Garvey represents New Zealand through a new collaboration with Golf NZ for this concept. Prizemoney for the winner of The Athena will be $30,000, an amount that proved to be significant for 2021 Champion Kristalle Blum’s ability to compete in Europe during the 2021 season.

The Athena

The Athena is a concept developed by Evolve Sports Group operated by the WPGA Tour of Australasia and in 2022 will be held at the iconic sandbelt location of Sandy Golf Links supported by Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

The Athena brings attention to the underrepresented but emerging stars of women’s golf, with the players individually selected by the WPGA Tour as the best of our many talented young stars.

The Athena is designed to test each player’s skills in challenging situations, or “clutch shots”, which they would expect when competing against the best players in the world. The concept is developed to entertain sports fans, not just golf fans.

On the first day – The Golf Challenge Day – the 12 invitees will each have one shot at 9 challenges. For example, a bunker shot, longest drive or “trouble shot”. A leaderboard that runs through the day will determine the best 8 players at the end of the Golf Challenge Day. Those 8 will continue to Day 2 - the Playoffs - where a head-to-head match play format takes place over quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final, and an Athena Champion is crowned. It is fast-paced, “clutch shot” based, and prepares our best young golfers in the country for a career in professional golf under pressure. Illustration of the Athena 2022 format here: https://theathena.wpga.org.au/athena_program.html

The WPGA Tour

Established in 1972, the WPGA Tour of Australasia, previously known as The ALPG Tour is one of seven major international women’s golf tours recognised by the Rolex World Rankings. This member-based organisation has seen significant growth in membership over the past decade and now has a current membership of over 300, with a large percentage of those being international touring professionals.

Commercial partners are Callaway Golf South Pacific and Adidas Golf South Pacific.

More information @ www.athena.golf