Grange Golf Club secures Greg Norman’s Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf series

Greg Norman has revealed details of the phone call with Premier Peter Malinauskas that helped Adelaide jag the controversial Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf series.

The first phone call with Premier Peter Malinauskas is one Greg Norman will never forget – and it helped seal the deal that will see the world’s best golfers descend on Adelaide next year.

Mr Norman is bringing the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf series to Australia for the first time with The Grange Golf Club set to host the controversial event from April 21 to 23.

The internationally acclaimed course is where Norman, the LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner, claimed his first professional victory in 1976.

Sitting down for an exclusive interview with The Advertiser after the announcement, Mr Norman said Mr Malinauskas’ enthusiasm helped get Adelaide over the line.

“The Premier was phenomenal at the beginning. I’ll never forget my first phone call with him,” he said.

“He was obviously very up to speed on LIV and what the LIV platform was all about and what it represented and quite honestly it was probably one of the easiest processes we’ve ever been through.”

Mr Norman said his team canvassed courses in each of the other states and territories except NT and Tasmania.

He said The Grange Golf Club ticked all the right boxes.

“The venue needs to have the right logistical support mechanisms to allow us to put on our event,” he said.

“There are some fantastic golf courses in Australia... but we had to hone it down to the certain capabilities of a facility to do that (host the event).”

CEO of LIV Golf, Greg Norman, at Adelaide Oval. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

The deal has been secured with a contribution from the state’s Major Events Fund, which was boosted by $40 million in this year’s State Budget.

The event is set to provide a major economic boost for the state attracting thousands of spectators to the event.

And with the government committing to a four-year deal, Mr Norman said it’s here to stay.

“I don’t want to be in an institution where you just come in slash-and-burn and disappear,” he said.

“We see some good future opportunities coming out of all this.”

Greg Norman and SA Premier Peter Malinauskas speak to media at Adelaide Oval. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

LIV Golf has attracted big names including major winners Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen and more.

But perhaps none are bigger here in Australia than our homegrown reigning British Open champion Cameron Smith.

Mr Norman said securing him on the tour was a key part of the puzzle to bring the event to Australia.

“Cam came on after the Open... so we were already looking at going into Australia by then,” he said.

“But we couldn’t just walk right into Australia without Cam Smith, so the conversations I had with him over a period of time were phenomenal, he was nervous, no question, it was a big decision for him.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the event was an “exciting coup for South Australia”.

“As Premier, I am determined to lure more major events to South Australia, which means more visitors, more economic activity and more jobs,” he said.

Greg Norman, CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf, waves as he is introduced to the crowd during the team championship stroke-play round of the LIV Golf Invitational – Miami. Picture: Eric Espada/Getty Images/AFP

“This is exactly what our economy needs as we emerge from the pandemic, in particular our hospitality sector which has done it tough over the past couple of years.

“LIV Golf will bring some of the world’s best golf players to SA for an event the likes of which our country has never seen before.”

Norman has been repeatedly accused of “sportswashing” – the act of using sports to give legitimacy to despots – with the Saudis.

“No, I have not been used for sportswashing because I’ve been to Saudi Arabia, and I’ve seen the changes that have taken place,” Norman told the Financial Times last year.

Mr Malinauskas went on to tell a press conference on Monday morning he was “very conscious of the arguments that all the establishment monopolist forces involved try and push around for their own benefit”.

“I think what Australians are focused on is having an international view of the world which maximises the economic benefit in an appropriate way for the people of our country and the state,” he said.

“I just encourage a moment of pause and caution and a rational analysis of basic facts and what our nation’s relationship is with other countries around the world before we start instantly, buying the arguments that establishment monopolist forces within golf seek to reject.

“The simple truth is this is a an unparalleled opportunity for our state and our country in a way that is utterly appropriate and one that we’ve got an obligation to pursue, rather than the opposite.”

Originally published as Grange Golf Club secures Greg Norman’s Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf series