PGA on exciting course
Tournament returning to City in 2020
GOLF: It has a hard act to top but golf officials are already at work on taking the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship to another level in 2020.
The championship this year celebrated 10 years in Toowoomba after City Golf Club and Australian PGA officials in 2009 gambled on reviving the tournament’s flagging profile with a shift to the Garden City.
The success of the move has continued to snowball with last week’s event — backed by Toowoomba Regional Council — widely acknowledged as the best yet City has hosted.
A record-size field, depth of player quality and increased crowd support highlighted this year’s tournament taken out on Sunday by Queensland’s Daniel Nisbet who roared to a six-shot victory with a score of 24-under-par.
City Golf Club president Ed Britnell said the ongoing popularity of the championship has challenged organisers to try and build on that success.
“I think the event grew again in stature this year on what we have been able to offer over the previous nine years, and everyone is very happy with the outcome,” Britnell said yesterday.
“We had probably our strongest field, keen competition and good crowd numbers.
“The atmosphere around the course and club on Sunday was really great.
“It’s very pleasing to be able to confirm the championship will be back next year.
“We’ll now begin working on new ideas and innovations for the 2020 tournament.”
Britnell said the positive feedback from players and PGA officials was rewarding for the club’s grounds’ staff, members and tournament volunteers. “Much planning goes into improving the tournament each year and the results are certainly there,” Britnell said.
“The feedback we’ve received from some marquee players about the quality of the event confirms that we are on the right track.
“The players loved the course, despite the dry conditions John Halter and his team have had to battle, and the public comments from them about the quality of the greens was very encouraging to hear.
“The CEO of PGA Australia Gavin Kirkman was overjoyed with the event and the continuing growth of the championship.
“It’s becoming a must-go-totournament in the country and again thank you to the almost 50 volunteers who gave up their time to help make that possible.”
‘‘ IT’S VERY PLEASING TO BE ABLE TO CONFIRM THE CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR.
ED BRITNELL