The Duntryleague golfer won his first 27 hole scratch title back in 1997 and has been the most dominant force in the Western area for the past decade and a half.

Payne has claimed numerous open tournament victories as well as a NSW amateur title in 2001. 

Following his victory in the State titles, Payne gained selection in NSW senior side for the interstate championships which they subsequently won with Payne one of the dominant players.

In 2013, Payne was selected in the Australian seniors side for players over 50 years of age, despite the fact that he had not achieved the age of qualification.

It was a selection that was richly deserved as he turned the appropriate age only a fortnight later. 

In the Australian Seniors Championships, Payne finished a creditable fifth against some of Australia and New Zealand’s best senior golfers.

Apart from Payne, the Parkes Open field also includes former victor in NSW State Country representative and Forbes raised John Betland, who now plays his representative golf out of the strong Moore Park Club in Sydney. 

He, like Payne, is a prolific winner of events in the Western area.

The other former champion who will take his place in the field is Bathurst’s Paul Bright. 

Despite a long absence from the fairways due to illness, he is back to his best and is looking forward to the challenge of winning another Parkes Open crown. 

In the prelude event, the Atlas Copco Australia Four Ball Best Ball in both scratch and handicap divisions, reigning titleholders John and Steve Betland of Forbes face a daunting task from one of the strongest fields ever to contest the event.

Entries for this year’s SCT Logistics Parkes Open Golf tournament close at 5pm on Friday, September 4, or unless a full field is reached beforehand. 

Entries for the Four Ball will be received up until the day before the event.