WHEN the 72nd Annual Balter Festival of Golf tees off at Coffs Harbour Golf Club on Sunday, there will be just as much fun off the course as on it.

With nearly all Covid restrictions lifted, the clubhouse will again be a hive of activity each night with a number of events leading up to next weekend’s traditional golfing climax of the North Coast Open and Ladies Classic.

Coffs Harbour Golf Club general manager Paul McAra said club members and staff can’t wait for the festival to begin.

“Apart from our terrific golf competitions, we have so much happening in the Clubhouse during our Festival of Golf week, our focus this year is fun after a few less than fantastic years with Covid,” McAra said.

Events planned off the course include a Sunday Session on the balcony, the return of the traditional Ladies golf fashion sale on Tuesday, a Ladies 70s Disco night, Men’s Comedy night and the Mexican themed Friday night dinner.

That’s not to say that on-course activities will be taking a back seat.

The club’s head professional Matt Allan said the week will once again be a busy one for he and the staff in the club’s pro shop.

“Over the course of the eight days we’re looking at about 2,000 rounds of golf,” Allan said.

“It’s basically like running a Saturday competition every day for eight days.

“There are still some spots available for men or women looking to play a round but they’ll want to get in quick as there aren’t many left.”