REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Wednesday, June 28, 2000

CORPORATE high-flyers and celebrity hacks made way for the world’s top golfers when the Australian Open was staged at what was billed as the country’s most exclusive club on the Gold Coast in 2001.

The Greg Norman-designed Grand Golf Club at Gilston, which counted media magnates Kerry and James Packer among its members, was named as host of the 2001 tournament, with more than $1 million up for grabs.

It was the first time the nation’s premier golf tournament had been held in Queensland since J.C. Snead won at Royal Queensland in 1973. Arnold Palmer won there in 1966.

In what was hailed as the state’s biggest fortnight of golf, the tournament was run backto-back in November 2001 with the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland.

Australian Golf Union executive director Colin Phillips said the decision to bring the event to Queensland was part of a masterplan to take Australia’s premier tournament to more states. The Australian Open traditionally attracted some of the world’s greatest golfers including Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Nick Faldo.

“We always hoped we would hold a major tournament here similar to Augusta but it’s still a young course ... to get invited to host the Australian Open is fantastic,” said club captain John Goss.

The 2001 event was won by Australia’s Stuart Appleby.