Gold Coast leaders prepare to fight to keep Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines
Gold Coast city leaders have issued a warning to Brisbane rivals looking to snatch the Australian PGA Championship from the Glitter Strip, declaring they in a position to host the event in 2020.
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GOLD Coast city leaders have issued a hands off to Brisbane rivals looking to snatch the Australian PGA Championship from the Glitter Strip, declaring they in a position to host the event in 2020.
Hierarchy from the PGA of Australia are quietly seething after reports said the tournament, that has been held on the Gold Coast for seven years, will be shifted to Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane next year.
Officials from the governing body declined to comment but were adamant no deal had been signed for 2020 to move the event away from RACV Royal Pines in Benowa.
Some from the PGA are concerned a war could erupt between the two cities, ploughing a wedge between the Queensland Government’s Tourism and Events group who would be seen to be favouring one over the other.
Acting Mayor Donna Gates said Gold Coast City Council had a contract to host the Australian PGA Championship in 2020.
The Bulletin understands a clause in that deal for 2020 means all parties have to be happy for it to proceed on the Coast again.
“The PGA has become such an iconic event on the Gold Coast calendar – a great sporting event enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” Cr Gates said.
“Hosting some of the best golfers in the world each December is also wonderful exposure for our city.
“The City has a contract with the PGA until next year and we hope the event will go ahead in 2020.
Destination Gold Coast chairman and avid golfer, Paul Donovan, said the event had made enormous impact on the city since arriving in 2013 and needed to stay.
“Having the PGA here has been terrific because we have been able to bring important international travel people to the Coast to participate,” Mr Donovan said.
“Another example of that is this week we have three or four of the key Japanese travel industry people coming down to be in attendance and then on Saturday we have got the large Korean travel agents coming who will then play on the Monday on the courses that have set up for the professionals. It’s a catalyst to get the people here.”
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In a statement to the Bulletin, RACV, who operate Royal Pines, declined to comment on discussions for future events but said they would continue to support one of Australia’s premier golf tournaments.
“RACV is a long-time supporter of the PGA, and the Australian PGA Championship which has been hosted at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast since 2013,” the statement read.
“We are looking forward to this year’s event, and will continue to support the event in the future.”
Sanctuary Cove member Anthony Quayle, who will compete in the tournament this week, said Royal Queensland didn’t offer any type of improvement in quality than Royal Pines.
“As far as how the greens are reacting (at Royal Pines), it’s probably the best its ever been since the event has been there,” Quayle said of a course that was redesigned by Graham Marsh over 2014 and 2015.
“I don’t think that is much of an issue now because it’s bedded in properly and they have done a fantastic job, weather permitting.
“From that point of view you are not going to see much of a different in quality of the course between the two.”
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