Warragul is in danger of losing a prestigious golf event if a $100,000 funding shortfall cannot be met ahead of its December staging.

With golf delivering a $1.6 million economic boost to Baw Baw Shire, Warragul Country Club chief executive officer Andrew Breeden-Walton urged councillors to adjust the 2025/26 draft budget to provide $40,000 in sponsorship or "risk losing this vital event."
Making a submission to the recent council meeting, Mr Breeden-Walton said the Warragul golf course had hosted Gippsland Super Six annually since 2021.
Attracting top Australian golfers, he said the event enhanced local participation and boosted tourism.
However, needing to find $100,000 to meet the PGA requirements, Mr Breeden-Walton said "we need council's support to make it work."
"If we lose it, this national sporting event is most likely gone from Baw Baw forever," he said.
Mr Breeden-Walton said Baw Baw Shire committed $15,000 to last year's Gippsland Super Six. He is seeking an additional $25,000 to added to that amount in this year's budget.
The country club had committed to providing $40,000 itself and would work to raise a further $20,000 from fundraising and local sponsorship, he added.
The PGA had advised it costed $400,000 to take the event to a region, they themselves contributing $300,000.
"We will lose this tournament without swift adjustments from the shire for a $40,000 sponsorship," he said. "We implore you to adjust your budget so we can ensure this prestigious event continues in our region in 2025."
Cr Brendan Kingwill asked what profit Warragul Country Club made from last year's event.
Mr Breeden-Walton said food and beverage sales were up 20 per cent but that was off-set by no function revenue for a week. He said gaming revenue was standard, "we didn't see an uplift to be honest". Overall, he estimated a $20,000 to $30,000 gross profit.
He said the club had 6500 members, of which 850 to 900 were golf members. Of these, the club reported a 75 to 80 per cent participation rate.
With the course shut over the duration of the event, he estimated 30 to 40 members utilised nearby courses at Drouin, Trafalgar and Garfield.
"They like the atmosphere, they like to have the club on Fox Sports talking about their club," he said of member feedback.
The draft budget is now out for public feedback online via bawbawconnect.com.au/budget, writing to Baw Baw Shire at PO Box 304, Warragul 3820 or emailing budget.submissions@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au