The opportunity to watch top pro golfers up close is a rare thing in our state, making events like the WA Open worth their weight in gold.
If you need an excuse to head to Secret Harbour Golf Links to watch this year’s WA Open action unfold between October 15 and 18, here are five to get you going…
1. It’s free
You can’t get better value for money than attending a high-calibre event for FREE, but that’s precisely what’s on offer at the WA Open. Spectators can gain free entry on any day of championship week, from pre-qualifying and practice rounds on Monday/Tuesday right through to Sunday’s final round.
With fine weather predicted throughout the week, what could really be better than striding Secret Harbour’s pristine fairways, while watching top-class golf with friends and family in tow? There are certainly a lot worse places you could be…
The WA Open offers a great chance to get up close to top quality golf – including rising stars like WA amateur sensation Spencer Harrison
2. Great golf guaranteed
You might never be able to hit it as well or as far as a seasoned tour pro or elite amateur, but observing how they approach course management, pre-shot routines, putting and damage limitation can be a valuable and educational experience for golfers of all standards.
As well as West Aussie fan favourites of the calibre of Jordan Doull, Curtis Luck, Brett Rumford and Ryan Peake, the WA Open also represents a chance to see tomorrow’s tour stars ‘before they were famous’ with several of our elite amateur golfers lining up in the final field.
Secret Harbour’s two closing holes are a par-three over water and a short, risk-and-reward par-four, which should ensure drama all the way to the 72nd hole of the championship.
Finally, with manageable galleries following the action you can get close to the players without being overly jostled or blocked by your fellow spectators. Quite literally, everyone’s a winner in that equation…
Observing how pros handle difficult on-course situations can do wonders for your own golf game
3. It’s inspiring
The WA Open field doesn’t only feature a host of Australia’s top male golfers. State women’s amateur champion Georgia Garner-Dart will be in the field, while there’s also the 36-hole All Abilities Championship for golfers with physical, mental and sensory impairments. This is played at the same time, on the same course and in the same conditions as the WA Open itself.
This variety underscores the fact that golf is a game for everyone and provides potential role models that any golf fan can get behind – regardless of age, gender and physical attributes.
And while you’d have to be up with the larks to see it, the ceremonial opening tee shots on Thursday morning will be struck by plucky juniors from GolfWA’s Fuel to Go & Play TeeMates Tour.
Amputee Joshua Jones in action at the 2025 WA Open All Abilities Championship
4. It could start your golfing journey
As well as the on-course action, GolfWA is also staging a number of free golf clinics for beginners throughout championship week.
With dedicated sessions for juniors and women, it’s a great opportunity to get non-golfers in your household hooked. All clinics are led by PGA professionals, all equipment is provided and the onus is on fun and inclusion, reducing any fear factor newcomers might have of giving it a go.
Register for these free sessions here – but be quick, because they will sell out!
The WA Open’s annual women’s beginner clinics are always a hot ticket
5. Adventure awaits
Top-quality golf needn’t be your only reason to take a trip south during WA Open week, with the City of Rockingham offering oceans of possibilities for visitors.
With 37 km of spectacular coastline, Rockingham is renowned for its safe, calm waters, sheltered beaches, unique marine wildlife and abundance of aquatic activities available in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, including Penguin Island and the breathtaking scenery of Cape Peron.
Water-loving visitors can dive with dolphins, snorkel with sea lions, paddleboard, kayak and fish, while daily whale-watching and sunset cruises are available throughout the spring.
The Rockingham Foreshore is the perfect place to enjoy our relaxed beach lifestyle with plenty of dining options and picnic spots to choose from. Meanwhile, the newly opened Long Point Brewing Co. is earning rave reviews for the quality of its cuisine and its stunning ocean views.
Looking for ideas? Then visit the City of Rockingham’s Mobile Visitor Van, which will be on-site at Secret Harbour from Friday to Sunday of championship week, and will be offering some brilliant local experiences as prizes. You can also plan ahead, with loads of good ideas for what to do here.
Pro golfers Kathryn Norris and Jordan Doull enjoying a day out in Rockingham ahead of the WA Open
Find out all about this year’s WA Open here
