New-look standalone Australian WPGA Championship set to call Gold Coast home for at least three years

A “festival of golf” is set to call the Gold Coast home for at least three years in a landmark deal, but there’s still more work to be done. Find out why.

LPGA Tour player Karis Davidson (left) with Qld amateur Sarah Hammett at the announcement of the WPGA Championship event on the Gold Coast. Picture: Golf Aus.

The Gold Coast has scored its latest major events win after securing the Australian WPGA Championship golf event for the next three years.

The 2025 instalment will not only mark the first standalone Australian WPGA Championship, but the first time the event has been co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour.

It provides a major boost for competitors as the winner of the tournament will earn a card to compete on the Ladies European Tour the following season.

“That will bring international attention and talent to our tour, the Gold Coast and Queensland,” said WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn of the tournament being co-sanctioned.

The championship will be played from March 6-9 at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club in Hope Island on the Palms course, and will form part of a new three-week festival of golf, with all of the festival events set to be co-sanctioned with the LET.

The festival will spend a week on the Gold Coast around the Australian WPGA Championship before moving to other states, with those events yet to be announced.

CEO of Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club Paul Sanders, CEO of the WPGA Tour of Australasia Karen Lunn, CEO of the PGA of Australia Gavin Kirkman, City of Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, CEO of Mulpha Australia Greg Shaw with the Karrie Webb Cup after it was announced that the Australian WPGA Championship would be played at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast. Picture: Golf Australia.

“This will not be any normal golf tournament, this will be a festival of golf, seeking to attract anyone who’s got an interest in the sport of golf,” said Golf Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman.

“We believe that we can create a truly unique tournament for Queensland and the Gold Coast, showcasing an equipment expo, entertainment, music, coaching sessions, and a festival atmosphere for all those looking to attend.

“It’s never been a better time for the game of golf, the game has gone from strength to strength and interest in the game is at an all-time high.

“People of all ages are realising that golf offers a great combination of sport and social interaction and this will be an amazing place to make it all happen.”

Queensland's top female athletes with the Karrie Webb Cup after it was announced that the Australian WPGA Championship would be played at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast. Picture: Dan Peled.

The Palms course is one of the top 100 golf courses in the world and Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club CEO Paul Sanders said it had $2 million worth of upgrades and investments.

The championship will also coincide with International Women’s Day.

City of Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates noted city’s long association with women’s golf dating back to the Ladies Masters

“It not only gives us an opportunity to showcase women in sport but the magnificent resort here and all that’s on offer on the Gold Coast,” Gates said.

Australian professional golfer Karis Davidson is a member at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club. Picture: Dan Peled.

“We’re still a little bruised about losing the men’s PGA to Brisbane, but this is a great step forward for women’s golf and golf on the Gold Coast.

“With a bit of luck we might see the men back here one day as well.

The men’s Australian PGA Championship was previously hosted at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast but is now played at Royal Queensland in Brisbane.

It has been confirmed that Royal Queensland will host the event in 2025.

“Women’s sport is just going from strength to strength and the announcement of a standalone women’s PGA event is great news,” said Gates.