PGA CEO: My call on where tourney goes
THE PGA of Australia’s boss has declared the PGA will ultimately decide whether its flagship tournament will stay on the Gold Coast next year.
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman broke his silence last night after reports this week Brisbane’s Royal Queensland Golf Club would snaffle the Australian PGA Championship away from Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.
Mr Kirkman revealed a decision on where it would be held in 2020 had not yet been made: “The PGA is yet to finalise a host venue for the 2020 PGA Championship.
“We are focused on delivering a successful event at the 2019 Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort,” he said in a statement. “The PGA will decide on a host venue for our flagship event once this process is complete, which is expected to be following this year’s event.”
The Bulletin understands the “process” covers everything from course assessment, player accommodation and services, entertainment, timing and other aspects.
A PGA of Australia spokesman declined to answer questions about when a decision would be made or what would cause a potential relocation away from the Gold Coast.
In yesterday’s Bulletin, Gold Coast acting Mayor Donna Gates said her council had a deal to host the 2020 instalment. But the Bulletin understands this deal involves a clause requiring all stakeholder parties to be happy for it to proceed on the Gold Coast again.
City leaders are desperate to keep it on the Gold Coast after it was relocated to
RACV Royal Pines in 2013 away from Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.
The Australian PGA Championship started with a pro-am day yesterday, attracting cricket star Glenn Maxwell and NRL legend Johnathan Thurston among others.
It kicks of a bumper Gold Coast summer of sport with Big Bash cricket matches and the Magic Millions horse sales and racing festival in early January.
Players who have hit Royal Pines aiming to win the title are full of praise for the location and course.
Gold Coast’s world No.18 and 2013 US Masters winner Adam Scott said of the course – redesigned by renowned Graham Marsh: “I think now the greens have really settled in since the changes over the last five or six years. It was nice to see them receiving shots so well, but generally the course is in great shape.”
Dreadlocked Australian pro Jack Wilson, after also playing the pro-am yesterday, said: “Look the golf course is fantastic, and it keeps getting better and better.”
Asked if the PGA should stay on the Gold Coast, Wilson said: “Absolutely.”