At a glance
- When
- Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 November 2026, four rounds. Gates open at 6:30am; the Eventbrite listing runs 6:30am to 4pm
- Where
- The Vintage Golf Club, Vintage Drive, Pokolbin
- Parking
- None at The Vintage. Free parking at Bimbadgen Estate on McDonalds Road, with a free shuttle to the course
- Entry
- A Season Pass is required. Free if you register before Monday 2 November, then $20 per person. Under 18s are free
- Food
- Outlets in the spectator precinct and on the course. You can bring a packed lunch but not alcohol
- Who it’s for
- Spectators driving to the Hunter Valley for the tournament, families, and residents or guests staying near The Vintage
- What to do now
- Register for the Season Pass before Monday 2 November, and plan to park at Bimbadgen rather than at the course
- Last checked
- Saturday 31 October 2026, against the Golf NSW Eventbrite listing (the Château Élan tournament page was last read on 29 October)
- Not yet confirmed
- Tee times, shuttle frequency in minutes, and any public transport option; the organisers say updates will come through the tournament website and Golf NSW
If you are going to the Ford NSW Open at The Vintage Golf Club in Pokolbin from Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 November 2026, do not drive to the course: there is no parking at The Vintage, and spectators park free at Bimbadgen Estate on McDonalds Road and ride a free shuttle in. Every spectator needs a Season Pass, and it costs nothing if you register before Monday 2 November. After that it is $20 per person, and under 18s get in free. Times are New South Wales local time, which is on daylight saving in November.
This guide uses the Château Élan tournament page and the Golf NSW Eventbrite listing, both read on Thursday 29 October 2026.
What are the dates and times?
The tournament runs over four days, one round a day, at The Vintage Golf Club, Vintage Drive, Pokolbin NSW 2320.
| Day | Round |
|---|---|
| Thursday 12 November | Round one |
| Friday 13 November | Round two |
| Saturday 14 November | Round three |
| Sunday 15 November | Round four |
The Eventbrite listing gives the event hours as 6:30am to 4pm, and its FAQ says the gates open at 6:30am, with coffee in the clubhouse and breakfast at the Spike Bar. Neither page publishes tee times. According to Eventbrite, the field is Australia’s leading professionals and elite amateurs playing for the Kel Nagle trophy.
Where do I park?
You cannot park at The Vintage. The organisers say parking at the course is not available because of council restrictions. Instead, the Château Élan page says spectator parking is located at Bimbadgen on McDonalds Road, Pokolbin, and that frequent shuttle services will run between the parking area and the Spectator Precinct at The Vintage throughout the event. Eventbrite says the parking at Bimbadgen Estate is free and the shuttle is complimentary.
| Question | Answer from the organisers |
|---|---|
| Is there parking at The Vintage? | No |
| Where do spectators park? | Bimbadgen Estate, McDonalds Road, Pokolbin |
| What does parking cost? | Free |
| How do I get to the course? | Complimentary shuttle from Bimbadgen |
The Château Élan page also carries an older line that parking “will be limited” and to check back closer to the event. That line sits in the information for members of The Vintage, and the spectator answer above is the one that applies to visitors. Neither page says how many minutes apart the shuttles run, so that is listed as not yet confirmed.
Do I need a ticket, and what does it cost?
Yes. Eventbrite says tickets are required for entry, and the pass on offer is a Season Pass. If you register before Monday 2 November, the Season Pass is free. After that, passes are $20 per person. Kids under 18 always get in free, according to the listing. As of 31 October, the Eventbrite listing gives Monday 2 November as the last day for the free pass.
| Who | Season Pass |
|---|---|
| Adult, registered before Monday 2 November | Free |
| Adult, registered after that | $20 per person |
| Under 18 | Free |
The listing is run by Golf NSW and describes The Vintage as one of the only public-access courses designed by Greg Norman in New South Wales. The Château Élan page also describes it as a Greg Norman design.
What can I eat and drink, and can I bring my own?
Food and beverage outlets will be available within the spectator precinct and on the course. Eventbrite lists stations at the 7th tee and the 15th green. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch. The Vintage is a licensed premises, so you cannot bring alcoholic drinks in.
Toilets are on the 5th, 8th, 10th and 16th holes, according to Eventbrite.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. The organisers say children are welcome when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Both pages describe family areas and activities. The Château Élan page lists these for the weekend:
| Day | Activity | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 14 November | Face painting | 9am to 2pm |
| Saturday 14 November | Glitter tattoo artist | 10am to 12pm |
| Saturday 14 November | Sweet Valley Farm | From 10am |
| Sunday 15 November | Face painting | 9am to 2pm |
Eventbrite also lists golf clinics for players of all levels, a petting zoo, and a nearest-the-pin competition on Foresight Golf Simulators. It does not give days or times for those, so check the tournament page before you plan around them.
What happens if it rains?
The organisers say the tournament will proceed in most weather conditions. Any changes to play or event operations will be communicated through official tournament channels. Tournament updates, transport information and event notices will be available through the tournament website and official communication channels via Golf NSW.
I live or stay near The Vintage. Can I get in by car?
Access to The Vintage throughout the tournament is restricted to residents and guests of Château Élan, Peppers, NINETEEN and Vintage Holiday Homes. Residents need to register through Eventbrite to receive a parking pass, then collect each individual pass from the Pro Shop at The Vintage Clubhouse. The Château Élan page asked eligible visitors to register before 30 October and collect their pass before the tournament; that date has passed, so check the Eventbrite page and the Pro Shop about late registration.
No resident golf buggy parking will be available on site at The Vintage. Buggy parking for residents and members will be at NINETEEN for the whole tournament. Members of The Vintage Golf Club must register for the event to receive a Members Pass, which gives access to the clubhouse during the Ford NSW Open.
Is there anything on after the final round?
On Monday 16 November, the day after the tournament, The Vintage is running a “Play It Like the Pros Did” back tee challenge. The course stays tournament-ready, so you can play the same tees, pin positions and conditions as the professionals did in the final round.
Château Élan describes itself as the official tournament accommodation, on site at The Vintage. Its phone number is (02) 4998 2500.
Is the Red Hot Summer Tour on the same weekend?
No. The Red Hot Summer Tour plays Roche Estate in Pokolbin on Saturday 31 October, nearly two weeks before the golf. If you are heading to that show, our Red Hot Summer Tour guide for Roche Estate covers the set times, buses and parking.
Where does the container money go?
The tournament’s charity partner is the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, through the NSW Return and Earn program. Collection bins will be placed around the property for eligible drink containers, and the refunds support Vinnies’ community services across New South Wales.
Sources
- Château Élan — 2026 Ford NSW Open (dates, parking, FAQs, activities, residents’ access; checked 29 October 2026)
- Golf NSW on Eventbrite — 2026 Ford NSW Open Championship (Season Pass, gates, shuttle, food, toilets; checked 29 October 2026)
- Hunter Valley Wine Country — events (venue listing)
Featured image: A vineyard below wooded hills in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales (photo: Mike Weber from San Diego, United States / CC BY 2.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Golf NSW, Château Élan or The Vintage Golf Club. Passes, shuttle arrangements and event rules can change; check the tournament page and the Golf NSW listing before you go.