The Portsea Open Amateur was first played over two rounds at the Portsea Golf Club in 1980. Seventy-two players from over thirty clubs made the journey to Portsea that first year. Among them was Portsea member Alan Bullas, who etched his name into club folklore by claiming victory on home soil—a fitting beginning to what would become one of Victoria’s most respected amateur competitions.
This annual event is significant as it counts towards the Ivo Whitton and Susie Tolhurst Order of Merit trophies in Victoria and is also recognised as a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) event.
Many winners of the Portsea Open Amateur have gone on to successful golf careers, with the likes of Brad Hughes (1987), Geoff Ogilvy (1995), Cameron Percy (1997 & 1998), all US PGA Tours winners, Marcus Fraser (2000) & Nathan Holman (2011) both DP World Tour winners and Jasper Stubbs (2022) & Lukas Michel (2023), both competing at The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.
With the current event taking place in July each year, it attracts international and overseas entrants. The Club is exceptionally proud to host such an event, with many members volunteering and hosting players who travel from outside the region.