Golf News OZ - from over the ditch
Brisbane tournament to open DP World Tour
Significant news for the Australasian Tour is that the 2022 Australian PGA Championship will be the opening event of the DP World Tour (the European Tour) for the 2022-23 season.
The event will again be played at the Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane from November 24-27 following the very successful event of last year.
Royal Queensland Golf Club
That event was won by local player Jed Morgan, by a record 11 shots. Morgan added his name to the list of former winners including Gary Player, Peter Thomson, Greg Norman, Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott and Cameron Smith.
The $A2 million prizemoney is expected to draw a strong international field to compete for the Joe Kirkwood Cup and the richest prize pool on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Of course this is great news for both Australian and New Zealand professionals and we can expect to see many of them vying for spots in the field.
There will be a strong fan focus with a range of experiences and precincts for golf fans, families and partygoers. This will include the TaylorMade party hole, a resident DJ, hospitality suites, merchandise, great food and public bars.
Doesn’t that bring back memories of the early days of the New Zealand Open at The Hills and the extensive attractions of every kind on Main Street which occupied the driving range. No doubt many New Zealand golf fans will put the dates for Brisbane in their diaries for what should be a cracker. — By Neville Idour.
Queensland Open called off because of re-development
Not such good news for Australian and New Zealand professional golfers is that the 2022 Queensland Open will not be held this year.
Greg Norman designed Pelican Waters
The current home of the event is Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast but unfortunately with the venue and course undergoing a major re-development it simply would not be ready to hold this year's event.
So the focus of Golf Australia will be on the 2023 event when the redevelopment will be complete.
Alternative venues were considered. However, it was not feasible because of existing partnerships.
Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland said: “We love Pelican Waters as the venue and its owners have been so supportive. We are excited to see what the re-development brings and it makes sense to showcase the new venue at its best early in 2023.” — By Neville Idour.