The inaugural Australian FootGolf Open will take place at Jamberoo Golf Club from May 26-29.

A report to Tuesday evening’s council meeting detailed a sponsorship proposal from Jamberoo Golf Club on behalf of FootGolf Australia (FGA) to assist in funding the event.

FootGolf combines football (soccer) and golf. The rules largely correspond to those of golf.

FootGolf uses the same courses as regular golf, with FootGolf holes located away from the regular greens.

Jamberoo is one of five FootGolf Courses in NSW, and one of nine in Australia.

According to council’s report, funding has been declined by Destination NSW due to the event not being large enough.

Rather than cancelling the inaugural Open in Jamberoo, the organisation has decided to make the following changes: FGA will not be running the NSW Open as planned; and FGA will invest about $15,000 into the Open to bring two of the top 20 players in the world, and provide between $8000 and $10,000 in prize money.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Kiama councillors endorsed a staff recommendation that council provide $2500 sponsorship to the inaugural Australian FootGolf Open, to be funded from council’s Events budget.

The event is expected to attract top Australian players and more than 30 of the best international players.

“The Open will be the biggest event in the history of the sport in Australia,” council’s report said. 

“It is anticipated that the Open will attract in excess of 130 players and a minimum of 300 spectators, both local and visitors.”

FootGolf was invented in the Netherlands in 2009.

It has been in Australia since 2014, and is supported by Golf Australia. 

FootGolf Australia is a non-profit organisation.

Worldwide, FootGolf is regulated by the Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG).