... BUT WILL GREAT SCOTT GET SHOT AT 2020 ON COAST?
THE PGA of Australia plans to decide the 2020 course for its flagship event in months with the Gold Coast looming as a long-term option even if it is ripped away for a year.
Another successful Championship at the Gold Coast’s Royal Pines – the seventh at the venue – closed yesterday with Gold Coaster Adam Scott winning a second Kirkwood Cup.
The focus for the PGA of Australia now turns to locking down the 2020 event.
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said officials would convene in the first week of January to continue discussions as speculation mounts it will be moved to Royal Queensland in Brisbane.
“We hope (to have a decision) early in the New Year because we always want to plan,” Mr Kirkman said.
“The longer we have to plan the better.”
Mr Kirkman said it was possible the PGA Championship could return to the Gold Coast in the future even if it was moved on for 2020, with Royal Queensland in Brisbane eager to host it in its Centenary Year.
“If that was the case (that it moved), it would be up to the negotiations with another venue,” Mr Kirkman said.
“That is an option. We are guided by the other partners. We are a member-based organisation so we have to look at what is best for our members (players) but we are also respectful of our partners.”
Mr Kirkman said the process would involve talks between the PGA and its members, the players, Gold Coast City Council, the owners of Royal Pines – RACV, and Queensland Government.
The players’ opinions of the course, who consider it to be playing better than ever since it was redesigned by Graham Marsh over 2014 and 2015, is expected to be key.
The Gold Coast’s case for next year has also been bolstered by the fact the tournament hosted increased numbers on the 2018 event.
Official numbers are yet to be finalised but Mr Kirkman said the Saturday, a traditionally difficult one to draw a crowd, was up as well.
Mr Kirkman said the Gold Coast had left its mark on golf, with the city bringing a whole new, younger and more gender-balanced demographic to the tournament.
The tournament was shifted from its traditional timeslot in early December to the week before Christmas due to the Presidents Cup and will be moved back in 2020.
BULLETIN VIEW, P16