As widely expected the PGA of Australia has waved goodbye to the ridicious scenario at last years Australian PGA Championship when a dinosaur named ‘Jeff’, the unveiling of a tribute pond to the late US President John F. Kennedy and talk of the construction of a full replica of the Titanic embraced the prestigious event.
The PGA of Australia indicated that since December’s Australian PGA it has been in discussion with resort owner, Clive Palmer who purchased the complex from Hyatt in mid-2011.
However Palmer’s plans in turning the Sunshine Coast resort, located around a two-hour drive north of Brisbane, into a major tourist attraction did not win favour with PGA of Australia officials.
Instead, the PGA of Australia confirmed the Australian PGA Championship prdesented by Coca-Cola is headed to a new home in 2o13, sending a fond farewell to the Sunshine Coast which has hosted the tournament for the last 11 years.
The Australian PGA waves goodbye to ‘Jeff’ the dinosaur after the ridiculous scenario at last year’s Australian PGA Championship. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
In a statement Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA, confirmed the imminent move.
“Since May last year the PGA has received a number of offers from Palmer Coolum Resort to continue to host the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola in 2013 and beyond.
“For various reasons, including a lack of flexibility of dates for the tournament and signage matters, none of those offers have been acceptable to the PGA and, in the interest of our Members and stakeholders, late last year we decided to look at alternative venues outside the Sunshine Coast to host the event.
“The PGA has today formally advised Palmer Coolum Resort of its decision that the Championship will not be returning to Coolum in 2013.
The PGA has received strong interest and impressive offers and submissions from several venues and regions throughout Queensland and although negotiations are ongoing, we remain confident of announcing a new host venue shortly.
The Sunshine Coast has been a great home to the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola since 2002, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the local community who has tirelessly supported the tournament and embraced our players over the years.
I’d also like to thank Sunshine Coast Council, whose support has been essential to the Championship’s success. Regardless of this decision, we’re committed to continuing our partnership with Sunshine Coast Council, ensuring our association remains strong in the region.
Let me also reiterate that the Championship will remain in Queensland. The Sunshine State has hosted the Championship since 2000, and with the ongoing support of Tourism and Events Queensland, we’re committed to ensuring the tournament continues to feature on the state’s vibrant events schedule.
This move will open a lot of new doors for the tournament, and our Members and stakeholders are all looking forward to a new direction for the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola.”
The PGA plans to announce the new home of the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola in the coming weeks.
The 2013 Championship will again be co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia.
