PGA of Australia details when a decision will be made on the future of the Australian PGA Championship

The PGA of Australia expects to make a decision on the future location of the PGA Championship early next year and there remains hope the Gold Coast can continue to be it’s long-time host even if it’s ripped from Royal Pines in 2020.

THE PGA of Australia expects to make a decision on the future location of the PGA Championship early next year and there remains hope the Gold Coast can continue to be it’s long-time host even if it’s ripped from Royal Pines in 2020.

The curtains closed on another successful Championship at Royal Pines, the seventh at the Benowa venue, on Sunday with Gold Coaster Adam Scott winning his second Kirkwood Cup.

The focus for the PGA of Australia now turns to locking down the 2020 event and the organisation’s CEO, Gavin Kirkman, said officials will convene in the first week of January to continue discussions as speculation mounts it will be moved to Royal Queensland in Brisbane.

“We hope (to have a decision) early in the New Year because we always want to plan,” Kirkman said.

Adam Scott of Australia celebrates victory during day four of the PGA Championships at RACV Royal Pines on December 22, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“The longer we have to plan the better.”

Kirkman said the process would involve talks between the PGA and it’s members, the players, City of Gold Coast, the owners of Royal Pines – RACV, and the Queensland Government.

The improvement of the players’ opinions of the course, playing better than ever since it was redesigned by Graham Marsh over 2014 and 2015.

Helping Gold Coast’s case for next year is the fact the tournament hosted increased numbers on the 2018 event.

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Official numbers are yet to be finalised but Kirkman said Saturday, a day traditionally difficult to drew a crowd, was up as well.

Kirkman said Gold Coast had left its mark on golf, with the city bringing a whole new, younger and more gender-balanced demographic to the tournament.

Kirkman said it was possible the PGA Championship could return to the Gold Coast in the future even it was moved on for 2020, with Royal Queensland eager to host it in its Centenary Year.

Adam Scott of Australia plays a shot during day four of the PGA Championships at RACV Royal Pines on December 22, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“If that was the case (that it moved), it would be up to the negotiations with another venue,” Kirkman said.

“That is an option. We are guided by the other partners. We are a member based organisation so we have to look at what is best for our members (players) but we are also respectful of our partners.”

The tournament was shifted from its traditional timeslot in early December to the week before Christmas due to the President’s Cup and will be moved back in 2020.