A trio of players have sought to fast-track preparations for the upcoming Women’s NSW Open in Wollongong as others have sought practice facilities clear of the path of Cyclone Alfred.

With the cyclone expected to make landfall on Saturday, WPGA Tour of Australasia and Ladies European Tour (LET) players have headed to varied destinations after Gold Coast City Council advised to leave the area following the cancellation of the Australian WPGA Championship.

While 30 LET players are on the Central Coast of New South Wales being hosted by Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club. Kelsey Bennett, Michele Thomson and LPGA Tour player Sarah Kemp used the unexpected schedule twist to head for Wollongong Golf Club to potentially get a leg up on the competition ahead of the 2025 Ford Women’s NSW Open.

Similarly headed for Wollongong, Kiwi sister-act trio Munchin, Wenyung, and Siyi Keh are already in town, while several more European-based players have taken up the offer of settling early with their billets.

Despite being happy back in familiar surroundings, Bennett from Mollymook on the NSW South Coast, admitted the weather and safety-driven change was not the way she saw her rookie year on the LET beginning.

“Losing the WPGA (Championship) was definitely a letdown,” Bennett said.

“I chose not to go to Morocco for the first event in February because I was keen on starting with the three tournaments here.”

Although the Australian Women’s Classic at Coffs Harbour Golf Club remains on the schedule as the full effects of Cyclone Alfred are yet to be felt, Bennett is keeping her mind agile on what is to come.

“Not having one (tournament) and, depending on weather, potentially not having two is obviously a massive disappointment,” she said of the change to her dream of starting her LET career with three chances to impress at home.

Bennett said the weather event’s unfortunate timing was very frustrating, especially after spruiking the sun and surf opportunities on the Australian swing to her LET colleagues.

“All I do is rave about how good Australia is to the LET girls, and they come out here and tournaments get cancelled because of a cyclone,” she said.

“It’s super unfortunate, but it is what it is. We’re all in the same boat, but sometimes it’s just hard to swallow.”

Despite the setback, Bennett is looking forward to competing at Wollongong, a course she’s familiar with from her junior days.

“I think it’s awesome. I’ve played here for a few years growing up as a junior, so I’ve got a good little advantage,” Bennett said.

When asked how she thought her playing partners would handle the course, Bennett was optimistic; however, she identified some potential pitfalls.

“I think they’re gonna love it. The course looks mint, but the most challenging thing will be the small greens. And then you’ve got the thick grass around if you miss the green,” the 25-year-old said.

“I think that could be where some girls slip up during the week. I am so looking forward to playing well there. Hopefully I will go all right.”

Although similarly disappointed with the unfortunate situation that halted the unveiling of the Australian WPGA Championship as a standalone event, Thomson was happy to be well away from the tempest about to be delivered by the cyclone.

“Disappointed that Sanctuary Cove didn’t happen, but I’m happy everyone is out safe and sound,” she said, while also noting some familiarity with the style of golf required at Wollongong.

“We were looking for somewhere warm with no rain and a bit less windy, plus we wanted to come down for a good look anyway.

“I’ve never played here before so I am looking forward to it. It does remind me a little bit of the courses back home.”

Kemp, who hails from Tuncurry on the NSW Mid North Coast, is using her competitive return home to test her strength after suffering a severe leg injury last year. She said it was a shame to lose a tournament of its size because of a situation entirely out of the organisers’ control.

“It was a shame for the event (Australian WPGA Championship). I was looking forward to it, especially after coming out of COVID,” Kemp said.

“(Cancelling) was the right thing to do to keep us safe, and now I’m looking forward to Coffs and here.”

Playing on Thursday at her shared home club of St Michael’s Golf Club in Sydney with Bennett, as well as LPGA Tour player Steph Kyriacou, Kemp was using time with coach John Serhan to tune up for the weeks ahead, although her familiarity with Wollongong was a matter for familial debate.

“I’m not sure if my dad is right. I told him I had never played here before, but he said, yes, you have. You shot a course record there,” she said.

“I don’t really know if that’s true or not. I’ll need to go through the clubhouse and see if there is a course record board with my name on it.

“Either way, I’m just happy to be here, safe, and the place looks beautiful.”