The Northern Territory Government’s Department of Tourism and Culture has today secured the return of the Northern Territory PGA Championship for the next two years, committing $150,000 per year to cover 2018-19.
The week-long tournament will be run from 16 to 19 August at the Palmerston Golf and Country Club.
Department of Tourism and Culture, Senior Director Sport and Active Recreation, Ian Ford, said it’s wonderful to confirm one of the Top End’s most prestigious and high-profile sporting events for the next two years.
“Golf is one of Australia’s most popular sports and is enjoyed by people of all ages, status and social back ground, so it is exciting we are delivering this elite level of golf back to the Top End for Territorians to enjoy,” Mr Ford said.
“The Northern Territory PGA forms part of the professional PGA Tour of Australasia, and provides professional golfers the opportunity to play elite level golf in the Territory.
“The tournament is played for a prize purse of AU$150,000, attracts Official World Golf Ranking points and provides the champion with a full exemption on the PGA Tour of Australasia until the end of the 2019 season.
“Developing the sport of golf in the NT remains high on our agenda, and our contribution of $150,000 per-annum in prize money for the championships is testament to our commitment to the event, and to the sport of golf in the Territory.
“The Northern Territory PGA Tournament provides strong economic benefits to the NT, with an estimated $1.578 million injected into the economy over the course of the championships. This amount is expected to grow as the event’s profile increases with penetration into Asia through ‘golfing tourists’ being attracted to play and stay in the NT throughout the year.
The 2017 Northern Territory PGA Championship attracted an entry list of 120 competitors, comprising of 99 Australia professional competitors, 15 international professional competitors and six Australian elite amateurs.
General Manager of Tournaments for the PGA of Australia, Simon Butterly, said the Northern Territory PGA Championship has flourished over the past two years of the tournament on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
“The Northern Territory PGA Championship forms an integral part of our schedule and I am sure it will continue to evolve over the next two-years thanks to the continued support of the Northern Territory Government,” said Mr Butterly.
“Professional golfers are privileged to travel the world and the Territory is certainly a unique destination that they all enjoy visiting and we are confident that an excellent field of players will tee it up at the Northern Territory PGA Championship in August.”
Cazaly’s Palmerston and the Palmerston Golf Course Marketing Manager, Susan Heenan, said they looked forward to again having the spotlight on the Palmerston golf course for the NT PGA.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming an international field of players as well as emerging players from the Territory. It’s going to be a fantastic four days of competition”.
City of Palmerston Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell said City of Palmerston is proud to again be sponsoring this wonderful event.
“Territorians have always had a passion for outdoor sports so we are thrilled to see the Tournament return to Palmerston for the third time. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our city, the influx of visitors will deliver fantastic economic benefits for our local businesses, as well as providing a unique experience for our community. We look forward to welcoming all involved in the 2018 Northern Territory PGA Championship to Palmerston,” said Ms Pascoe-Bell.
Palmerston Golf Course, host of the 2017 Northern Territory PGA Championships, provides athletes with a challenging 18-hole course with a par 71.
Twenty-two year old New South Welshman, Travis Smyth, won the 2017 Northern Territory PGA Championships for a tournament total 19-under the card.
The PGA Tour of Australasia is the elite tournament destination for Professional golf in Australasia, encompassing events across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific with a total prize pool of over $8.5 million. All tournaments on the tour carry Official World Gold Ranking points, and is marked as the premier golfing tournament in the Australasia region.
ENDS
Media contact
Department of Tourism and Culture | Media Manager 0476 844 832
Image attached: R-L Ken Conlon (President Palmerston Golf Club), Simon Butterly (General Manager of Tournaments for PGA Australia), Matt Hewer (General Manager Cazalys Palmerston Club) Athina Pascoe-Bell (Mayor of Palmerston) and Ian Ford (Senior Director, Sport and Recreation)