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)

Australian Golf Set to Boost Tourism

A new partnership between Australian Golf and Tourism industries has been announced to place Australia as an international leading ‘golf tourism’ destination.

‘Great Golf Course of Australia’ is a new collaboration between premium golf courses, Tourism Australia, State Tourism Offices and the Professional Golfers Association of Australia (PGA) to tap into the tourism potential of a sport worth AUD$3billion to the Australia economy.

The group will draw on the countries six best golf courses as featured by US Golf Magazine in its ‘Top 100’ courses of the world, to establish Australia as a leading golf destination.

Great Golf Courses of Australia Director Liz Sattler, said promoting of the Australian Golf product internationally is crucial to gaining a larger piece of the golf tourism market.

“Using our six top 100 ranked courses to front the exceptional array of golfing product that Australia has to offer, and combining the marketing and distribution offered by this partnership, we can establish Australia as one of the world's truly great golfing destinations. We believe that Great Golf Courses of Australia is the right vehicle to drive this forward." Ms Slatter said.

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said Australia currently has six of the world’s top 100 courses, as well as many others which offer real tourism opportunities.

“We definitely see an opportunity here to build golf into the holiday experience, particularly by tapping into those overseas markets that love their golf, such as China, Korea and Japan," Mr McEvoy said.

“With the PGA on board, and six of the world’s best golf courses to get us started, we have an opportunity here to position Australia as one of the world’s leading golf tourism destinations by showcasing its best courses, and the iconic settings in which they are set.”

PGA chief executive Brian Thorburn said, Golf tourism is vital for both the tourism and sporting economies.

"With over 2,000 PGA Professionals based around this great golfing country, our Members will welcome the opportunity to introduce many new international visitors to Australian golf,” Mr Thorburn said.

“Additionally, through our internationally based Members and the World PGA Alliance, the PGA of Australia has an extensive international network and we look forward to promoting this initiative through PGA Professionals globally."

(Source: eTravelblackboard.com)