Summer Sporting Extravaganza to Boost Australian Economy

In Australia, summer is all about sport. This season the addition of two major international events to the calendar is a big bonus, not just for sports lovers but for the economy as well.

Australians who don't enjoy sport turn off the television and head for the beach at this time of year.

For everyone else, there's a smorgasbord of Test and one-day cricket, PGA golf, an internationally famous yacht race, a grand slam tennis event, cycling and Formula One races.

The country is set to enjoy an unprecedented quantity of world sport worth an estimated A$320m ($267m; £172m) to the economy thanks to the addition of two major events.

The Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup - being held across five cities in January - and the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, which will be played in Australia and New Zealand in February and March, eclipse other events in size and dollar value.

The Asian Cup is the biggest sporting event in Asia and the cricket World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world after the summer Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.

Australia's summer of sport

• December 9 - January 10: Four cricket Test matches, Australia v India.
• December 11-14: Australian PGA golf Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast.
• December 26-30: Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
• January 9 - January 31, 2015: Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup.
• January 16 - February 1: Cricket one-day international tri series, Australia, India and England.
• January 17-25: Tour Down Under cycling classic, Adelaide and South Australia.
• January 19 - February 1: Australian Open grand slam tennis, Melbourne.
• February 14 - March 29: ICC World Cup.
• March 12-15: Australian Grand Prix Formula One, Melbourne.

Every year, between 1 December and 1 April, there are five million tickets on sale for sport and entertainment events across New South Wales, according to state government body Destination NSW. For the same period in 2014-2015, there are eight million tickets on sale.

"That's what happens when you add an Asian Cup and a World Cup to the calendar," says Asian Cup chief executive officer Michael Brown. "There's going to be a lot more people spending a lot more dollars."

Test Cricket

Australia's golden summer begins with the first of four Test cricket matches between Australia and India on 9 December. The fixtures were rescheduled to start later in the month because of the sudden death in late November of 25-year old Australian Test player Phillip Hughes.

Golf

The first Test now clashes with the Australian PGA golf event, while the Sydney to Hobart yacht race - which organisers claim is the largest spectator sporting event in the world - competes with the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

An estimated one million spectators will watch the start of the yacht race - about 300,000 of them from the water and another 700,000 lining Sydney's harbour and coastline, says chief executive officer of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Mark Woolf.

Economic Ipmact

The economic impact, however, is incalculable, says Mr Woolf, because it is a free spectator event.

"The metrics that come out of this race are enormous," he says. "It's not a stadium event. We don't have a captive audience. But there are tentacles everywhere.

"There's the investment of transporting and accommodating 118 boats and crew for the start. The crews bring their friends and families. Then there's provisioning and fuelling and self-catering for spectator picnics.

"Even the NSW town of Eden gets an economic lift. It's the last safe harbour for boats to refuel and restock before crossing Bass Strait. Once they reach Hobart the boats and crews have to get back to Sydney.

"Then there's the impact of those TV pictures of a perfect Sydney harbour beaming into Europe and America in the middle of winter on their Christmas night. It's hard to quantify the publicity and future tourism impact."

Asia Cup Soccer

As the Test cricket ends the Asian Cup kicks off on 9 January, with 16 teams playing 32 matches in Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

According to Mr Brown, PricewaterhouseCoopers has said the event will pump A$225m into the economy. Asian Cup organisers target ticket sales of 500,000, with 50,000 international visitors expected to attend.

Three of Australia's top ten trading partners - China, Japan and South Korea - have qualified, which means hosting the Asia Cup is a unique tourism, trade and investment opportunity for the country and the region, he says.

"The Asian Cup is Asia's biggest sporting event and football is the biggest team sport and the most popular sport in Asia," Mr Brown says. "In Asia, football outstrips cricket as a sport."

Tourism Tsunami

But the Asian Cup will also have to compete for spectators and TV audiences with the Tour Down Under cycling classic in South Australia and the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament in Melbourne.

ICC World Cup Cricket

Then, the biggest sporting event of the summer begins on 14 February. More than one million people are expected to attend 49 one-day matches featuring 14 teams playing in the ICC World Cup at venues in Australia and New Zealand.

ICC World Cup chief executive officer John Harnden says 500,000 tickets have already been sold and tens of thousands of international spectators are expected to attend, creating a tourism tsunami between the two countries.

"There will be a lot of travel between Australia and New Zealand, and then India, the UK and the US are the three primary points of origin (for spectators)," says Mr Harnden.

"It is a great opportunity to showcase ourselves to the world and benefit from that great word of mouth from all those tens of thousands of tourists saying what a great time they had. If the Australian and New Zealand teams do well, that will be an even bigger bonus."

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Adam Scott chases triple crown in summer of golf

Adam Scott will be out to avenge last year’s defeat in the Australian Open when he was pipped by a stroke by Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy.

By JASON CLOUT - 12 NOV 2014

The return of Adam Scott will be the highlight of the Australian summer of golf with the world No. 2 looking to replicate his amazing form of 2013.

Scott won two out of three tournaments last year and was only pipped on the last hole at the Australian Open by Rory McIlroy. Had he claimed the Australian championship, Scott would have joined Robert Allenby in winning the so-called triple crown of Australian golf.

The Australian Masters is the first of the three tournaments and will be played at The Metropolitan Golf Club from November 20-23. The Metropolitan is one of Melbourne’s famous sandbelt courses.

It will be Scott’s third successive Masters, should he triumph at the Metropolitan, having won in 2012 and 2013, when he edged out Matt Kuchar of the United States.

The Australian Open to be played at the Australian Golf Club November 27-30 will be Scott’s chance to even the score with McIlroy, as both the young superstars will be in the field.

When he shot 62 in the first round last year, it seemed Scott had the championship in his grasp. But a last round 66 by McIlroy, including some remarkable play on the 18th hole, saw the Northern Irishman take the Australian Open by a stroke.

GOLD COAST DESTINATION FOR CHAMPIONSHIP
The last of the triple crown is the Australian PGA Championship, which will be held at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast between December 11-14.

Golf’s reputation as a sport which attracts the executive market is one reason companies such as Emirates and HSBC are involved. Emirates will once again be the major backer of the Australian Open, alongside its long-standing association with thoroughbred racing and its newly announced sponsorship of tennis in Australia.

Manager for sponsorships at Emirates Roger Duthie says golf is one of the truly global sports.

“Sport is important to the airline and golf is a big part of that,’’ says Duthie

It is also one of the few sports where it is possible to play with the world’s best at pro-ams.

Those days have become a fixture in many tournaments around the world, offering the chance to play a top course in the same group as a pro.

Duthie says golf fans are prepared to travel, another important consideration for the airline: “There’s a tourism impact as well because golfers will travel to play golf.’’

COURSE ALTERATIONS CHALLENGING
Golf officials are delighted about the prospects for the summer. Director of championships at Golf Australia Trevor Herden says one of the aspects of the intriguing clash between Scott and McIlroy at the Australian Open will be how they and the rest of the field deal with course alterations.

Herden says the first hole and the 14th have been converted from par fives to par fours for the championship. “We’ve made it a bit harder, It will be a par 70 course for the event,” he says.

There is good prize money on offer in Australia this year, such as the $1.25 million for the Open. But Herden says it is still a great show of faith that most of the top Australian players will be playing here over the next few weeks.

The overseas golfing tours like the US and Europe. where most of the top Australian players compete, take up most of the year. But instead of resting, most of the high-profile Australian golfers continue to support the local tournaments.

“It was wonderful when Adam Scott decided to play the three events. But it’s not just Adam, we’ve got just about all our best players coming back as well as some top golfers from overseas like Rory [McIlroy] and Jordan Spieth.”

Source: http://www.afr.com/p/lifestyle/life_leisure/adam_scott_chases_triple_crown_in_jpGODL5EVo6yIQND1V7jfJ

Tourism Set to Cash In On Big Summer For International Sport

An unprecedented summer of international sport is set to boost Canberra's tourist numbers after a major decline in business stays and spending in the past year.

With seven Asian Cup football games including a quarter final, three cricket World Cup games and an extra one day International in November, Canberra's tourism boss expected locals to be joined by a mass of regional and international visitors for the sporting feast.

VisitCanberra director Ian Hill said it would be the strongest summer of sport the city had enjoyed. 

"Two absolutely world class events, and I certainly know tickets for those cricket World Cup games have been selling really well."

The National Visitor Survey released last month showed visitor nights were down 790,000 in the domestic business sector for the year to June, a drop of 37.5 per cent. Overall domestic nights were down 16.4 per cent and expenditure down 11.4 per cent, or $14 million. 

International visitor nights also fell 12 per cent, or 570,000 nights, in the same period, with expenditure down 6 per cent.

Mr Hill said the tourism authority was working closely with hoteliers and organisations elsewhere to help them package and promote events.  

"One of those [Asian Cup] games is a China [vs] Korea game; China don't play in Sydney and there's a big group of Chinese background people who live in Sydney, so we're working with some of the multicultural media in Sydney," he said. 

The tourism chief said the key to maximising the windfall for Canberra was ensuring visitors saw other attractions  during their stay, and a rejuvenated cultural and hotel scene would help.

"Places like Braddon are important, Lonsdale Street Roasters is an important place, New Acton, and with new hotels like Hotel Hotel, Peppers has just rebranded, we've seen QT do a fit out at Rydges, the Kurrajong is about to reopen after being refitted – a great location for visitors in the Parliamentary Triangle. I think visitors are seeing a new side of Canberra," Mr Hill said. 

Mr Hill said stories on last week's OECD finding that Canberra was the world's best city to live in,  trumpeted in the New York Times and elsewhere, helped spread the word. 

The Australian Hotels Association ACT recently told ABC TV that occupancy rates were at about 65 per cent, down from the same time last year, but investment was strong, with another 500-600 hotel rooms available by mid-next year. 

Star Studded line up set for Perth International

Reigning US PGA Champion and world number 16, Jason Dufner, has confirmed his return to the PGA Tour of Australasia for the 2014 Perth International at Lake Karrinyup Country Club from 23 to 26 October.

Dufner won his first Major Championship last August at Oak Hill in Rochester, NY and will return to Perth after finishing second in the inaugural event in 2012.

He will be joined in the field by the charismatic and talented 24 year old Frenchman, Victor Dubuisson.
Dubuisson is currently the number 1 player on the European Ryder Cup Points list; number 5 on the Race to Dubai Rankings and number 20 in the world rankings.

Dubuisson has enjoyed a terrific past year winning his maiden European Tour title in Turkey last October and reached the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February.

Dufner and Dubuisson are most likely to be rivals at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles four weeks before the Perth International.

Commenting on his return to Perth, Jason Dufner said “I had a great time in Perth two years ago.
"I loved the city, the hospitality and the terrific golf course at Lake Karrinyup.

"I had a terrific battle to the end in 2012, closing as runner-up, and I am hoping to go one better and take home the trophy."

Dubuisson played in the World Cup in Australia last November but this will mark his first trip to Perth.
“I am looking forward to my first trip to Western Australia and have heard a lot of good things about the course and the tournament," said Dubuisson.

"It will be an important event for me in the lead up to the Final Series and Dubai World Championship.”
The Perth International also announced that Korean born, Australian based Jin Jeong will return to defend his title and will be joined in the field by five time European Tour champion and local favourite Brett Rumford, along with Steven Bowditch who won his maiden PGA TOUR title in April at the Texas Open.

On the initial player announcements, David Rollo, Vice President-Director of Golf IMG Australia remarked, “we are delighted to see Jason and Victor commit to the 2014 Perth International and there is no doubt this year’s field will be strongest we have seen with more exciting announcements to follow.

"It is a validation of the outstanding support of Tourism Western Australia and we have the makings of a world class tournament this October.”

The Perth International is now in its third year and is owned and promoted by IMG.

It is proudly supported by the Western Australian Government, through Tourism WA, and is the only Australian tournament to be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia.

The Perth International is also partnered with premium brands including Crown Perth, Emirates Airlines, The West Australian and the Seven Network.

Lake Karrinyup Country Club is widely acknowledged as Western Australia’s premier private golf club and has been regularly rated as one of the top ten golf courses in Australia.

Source: http://www.pga.org.au/article-display/star-studded-line-up-set-for-perth-international/138544

Brisbane's Carbrook Golf Course - Metro Hotels

“Hotel General Manager – Allan Hilt said” - It will be a big year for the club as they will host their first National Championship in April 2012 with the Australian Girls’ Amateur Championship and the Australian Girls’ Interstate Teams Matches.

Check out the sharks – see the u tube video’s that have caused a sensation around the world the sharks in the lake around the 13th to 15th holes, “absolutely no searching for your lost golf ball”

The golf club is one of the very few members' owned golf clubs established in Queensland in the last 50 years. As such, the members have control over their own destiny, without interference from landlords or other external parties, and enjoy knowing that any contribution they make to the club stays with the club.

The club property consists of 3 blocks of riverfront land on Beenleigh-Redland Bay Road, Carbrook at the confluence of the Logan and Albert Rivers. It is on the Eastern boundary of the Logan City Council area and closely adjoins Redland Shire. It is a 5 minutes drive from the Loganholme Hyperdome, 8 minutes from Redland Bay, and 15 minutes from Capalaba.

The property totals 92.83 hectares, of which the golf course, including the clubhouse, buggy shed, workshop, and carpark are built on approximately 40 hectares. The balance is a combination Practice Range, Lakes, and unused land.

The golf course is of genuine championship standard: being 18 holes, Par 71, ACR 72 and 6127 metres in length.

The club has a resident Professional, Teaching Professional, and Trainee operating from a well stocked shop. There is a fleet of near new electric Golf Carts for hire at reasonable rates and there is a Driving Range which is free to members, and a warm-up practice nets facility.

The modest but modern clubhouse overlooks the course and adjacent lakes and members and social players can enjoy a drink before or after their round on the outdoor deck overlooking the lake, or test their luck on the gaming machines if they wish. The Bistro is open 7 days with meals 4 days and snacks the other 3. Espresso coffee is available at the bar.

“Play and stay” at Metro Hotel Tower Mill – Call the Hotel on 07 3832 1421 for more information.

Metro Hotel Tower Mill's General Manager, Allan Hilt

Brisbane's Carbrook Golf Course - Metro Hotels

Perth to Host Australia's Richest Golf Tournament

Eventscorp today launched its 2012 events calendar, featuring a record 84 events including Australia's richest golf tournament.

The US$2 million 'Perth International,' held in October next year at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, is expected to attract some of the world's best golfers.

The Perth International is a joint initiative of Eventscorp and International Management Group (IMG) to bring another major international golf event to Perth. IMG will be the owner and promoter of the tournament, which will be sanctioned by the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia. The European Tour is currently experiencing unprecedented success and boasts the top four ranked golf players in world.

The Perth International will be the only tournament in Australia to be sanctioned by the European Tour, and is expected to generate more than 1,000 hours of television coverage around the world, which is great exposure for Western Australia.

Perth to Host Australia's Richest Golf Tournament

Great women's golf on the world stage in Melbourne

The 2012 ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open has now been sanctioned by the Ladies Professional Golfing Association (LPGA), and will become part of the global women's tour.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher, said the Victorian Coalition Government, through the Victorian Major Events Company, had worked hard to secure the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open in Melbourne for 2012, 2014 and 2015.

"With the 2012 Open now joining the LPGA Tour, this event will attract more competitors and greater media and branding exposure," Ms Asher said.

"Being a part of the LPGA Tour means Melbourne will see an exceptional international field with Golf Australia expecting in excess of 120 international players to compete in Melbourne on the LPGA Tour.

"There will be greater international media exposure for Australia's premier sporting events city. According to the LPGA, the Open will be broadcast into more than 240 million households in 171 countries, exposing our fantastic events and sporting city to thousands of potential tourists and golf fans."

Golf Australia Chief Executive Stephen Pitt said it was a landmark day for Australian golf and particularly women's golf in Australia.

"We are delighted the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open will be played at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on the LPGA Tour's global stage, and look forward to welcoming the world's best to Melbourne," Mr Pitt said.

The Open's new status will see Australia's national championship become part of a global series of tournaments currently staged in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty said sharing the limelight with some of the world's best golfing destinations further promotes Victoria's growing reputation as a world-class stage for stand-out golf tournaments.

The prize money for the 2012 championship will increase from AUD$600,000 in 2011 to US$1.1 million (approximately AUD$1,056,000).

The LPGA is one of the longest-running women's professional sports associations in the world. Australia has nine professional players in the LPGA including Karrie Webb, Lindsey Wright, Katherine Hull and Sarah Kemp.

(Source: Tourism Victoria newsletter – Edition 89)