LYLE TRIBUTE
ROBERT Allenby has sent more emails than he thought humanly possible. He has brought the US PGA Tour on board and plans to hold talks with the European Tour later this month.
He is in negotiations with a title sponsor and Allenby is optimistic that by the end of the year, the Jarrod Lyle Challenge
— named in honour of a golfer who captured hearts and minds across the globe — could come to fruition.
“I would like to know before Christmas,” Allenby said.
“The planning of this tournament would hopefully be the week before the Victorian Open in 2021. We would like to co-sanction with the European Tour.
“Having the European Tour involved … we would get a world audience. So any sponsor involved is going to be seen all over the world. As soon as we tie down that title sponsor, we are off. I have all the pieces of the puzzle in the right direction. It is just that final piece.
“I am hoping to find out this week. I am hoping. I have my fingers crossed. I have been working hard on it and I have sent more emails than I thought I could ever do.” Lyle, who lived in Torquay and was a member of The Sands, died in August last year after losing a long fight with cancer. His wife, Briony, was at The Australian Golf Club on Monday, waiting by the putting green as Allenby spoke about his plans to build a tournament to honour the love of her life.
Allenby and Geoff Ogilvy first raised the idea late last year and have been quietly working away behind the scenes to crystallise a concept that would hold special significance among the Australian golfing fraternity, such was the love and respect felt towards Lyle.
“I said to him prior to him passing away that if I was to use your name in a tournament, I said ‘Would you be OK with that?’ ” Allenby said.