WOLLONGONG SET TO
STAGE BIGGEST EVER FORD
WOMEN’S NSW OPEN

26 FEBRUARY - 1 MARCH

Each year, the Ford Women’s NSW Open brings world‑class women’s golf to the Illawarra, welcoming elite players from the Ladies European Tour and beyond to compete on the spectacular coastal fairways of Wollongong. Combining championship‑level competition with a relaxed seaside atmosphere, the Open showcases the region to a global audience while celebrating skill, resilience and the future of women’s golf. Set against the natural beauty of the coastline and supported by passionate spectators and volunteers, the event has become a standout on the Australian sporting calendar.

 

“The Ford Women’s NSW Open
continues to attract some of the
world’s most talented players.”

– Alexandra Armas,
Chief Executive Officer,
Ladies European Tour

WOMEN’S OPEN

The Venue

Founded in 1897, Wollongong Golf Club is one of Australia’s oldest golf clubs, combining rich heritage with a stunning, unique coastal setting. Its 18‑hole links‑style course sits right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, just a short walk from the Wollongong city centre, and is defined by firm turf, sea breezes and strategic shot‑making that rewards creativity and control. With panoramic views stretching north to Stanwell Park and south to Port Kembla, the course delivers a visually striking and demanding test for elite competition, providing a fitting stage for players contesting the prestigious Jan Stephenson Trophy.

The History

First staged in 2006, the Women’s NSW Open has launched and defined the careers of some of the game’s biggest names. Dame Laura Davies, one of women’s golf’s all‑time greats, lifted the trophy in 2008, while Kiwi superstar Lydia Ko famously claimed her first professional victory here at just 14 years old in 2012. NSW’s Sarah Oh (2009–10) and England’s Meghan MacLaren (2018–19) remain the only players to successfully defend the title - further underlining the tournament’s reputation for producing defining moments in women’s golf. In 2025, England’s Mimi Rhodes added her name to that list, capturing her maiden Ladies European Tour title in Wollongong.

“I’m honestly still in shock, but I’m so happy.
I’ve worked really hard for this.”

- Mimi Rhodes - 2025 Ford Women’s
NSW Open Champion
indy