Australian PGA Championship leaves Gold Coast for Brisbane 2020, but could be replaced by ‘T20’ mixed-gender team event

The Gold Coast has lost the country’s top golf tournament but moves are afoot to replace it with an innovative, mixed-gender team event dubbed a ‘T20 version’ of the sport.

THE Gold Coast has lost the country’s top golf tournament but moves are afoot to replace it with an innovative, mixed-gender team event dubbed a “T20 version” of the sport.

Advanced talks by key Gold Coast bigwigs are ongoing for an “exciting” new tournament inspired by the 2019 Victorian Open, lauded for playing men’s and women’s events simultaneously, sources say.

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But the Gold Coast version – aiming for top golf players at a quieter time of year – would involve men and women on the same teams competing against other mixed-sex teams.

Australian golfer Adam Scott putts on the 18th before winning the 2019 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

“It would be a combined mens and womens event, it will be big,” a source says.

“It would bring more fun and entertainment with high-profile players in the mix, it would be like the T20 cricket of golf,” the source said, adding: “If they pull it off, it will be amazing.

“Talks have been going on for a bit. It’s no secret we were going to lose the PGA.”

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PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman, who yesterday announced Brisbane would host the Australian PGA Championship for the next three years, did not pour cold water on the mixed teams event talks, last night saying: “The PGA is strongly aligned with the Australian Ladies Professional Golf. With the rapid growth of women’s golf, thanks to the influence of stars such as Minjee Lee and Hannah Green, the PGA will continue to work collaboratively with the ALPG to ensure Australia’s best golfers are given more opportunities to showcase their skills to fans and inspire the next generation.

New Zealand golfer Michael Hendry plays a shot on day four of the 2019 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

“The Gold Coast remains an important region for professional golf in Australia and a key stakeholder in our game,” he said.

“The PGA is always looking to increase the number of tournaments and playing opportunities for our PGA Professionals to enhance the strength of our tour schedule.”

A councillor, asked about the new event talks, said they don’t “breach secrets”. A city leader said: “I don’t know where you are getting your info but your sources are good.”

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said the idea of a mixed teams golf event “sounds exciting” especially in a quieter time of year: “One of the things the PGA did achieve was visitation and attention just before Christmas.”

WHEN FUTURE OF PGA WILL BE DECIDED

Told talks for an exciting new golf event were being held, Mayor Tom Tate declined to comment.

But a City spokesperson said: “It is our ongoing intention to secure major event content for the Gold Coast. Our relationship with the PGA remains strong and there may be opportunities.”

Earlier, reacting to the loss of the PGA – held at RACV Royal Pines for seven years – Cr Tate said: “People forget it was the Gold Coast that saved (it) from the Coolum golf course as it was dying along with the dinosaurs,” he said of the large model dinosaurs at Clive Palmer’s resort beside the golf course.

Royal Pines manager Gavin Kirkman at the golf course.

Cr Tate thanked RACV Royal Pines for backing the PGA and its investment in upgrading the golf course “to the tune of $18 million’’.

“We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again.

“When the (Brisbane) contract expires, I would think they’ll look at the Gold Coast as a future location. As I always say, be the boomerang and come back,” Cr Tate said.

An RACV spokesman said: “RACV has been a long-time supporter of the Australian PGA Championship at the Gold Coast.

“This is a disappointing outcome.”

Destination Gold Coast chair Paul Donovan said it would be great to replace the PGA: “We are very disappointed it will not be here but the PGA made the decision for their reasons.”