2020 Australian PGA Championship to tee off in Brisbane

Royal Queensland Golf Club will celebrate its centenary year with the return of the Australian PGA Championship to its acclaimed course in 2020.

One of the feature events on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, the time-honoured tournament will be played in Brisbane for the first time since 2001.

Some of the world’s best golfers are expected to converge on the event during its traditional late-year timeslot in November/December and compete for the Joe Kirkwood Cup – Australian professional golf’s oldest trophy.

Brisbane Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said securing the Australian PGA Championship cemented Brisbane as the home of major sports events this year.

“We are delighted to confirm the Australian PGA Championship is coming to Brisbane”, Cr Adams said.

“With a line-up of major sporting events across summer 2020/21, Brisbane is a natural home for the popular Australian PGA Championship.

“The Championship will further contribute to the more than $150 million in economic value that Brisbane’s major events calendar delivers to our city and residents.”

PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said the PGA was thrilled to showcase the Australian PGA Championship at Brisbane’s Royal Queensland Golf Club.

“We’re incredibly excited to return to Brisbane and the Royal Queensland Golf Club to celebrate a milestone anniversary of one of the country’s most treasured golf courses,” Mr Kirkman said.

“Royal Queensland Golf Club is a rich breeding ground which has unearthed a number of PGA Professionals, including one of the game’s icons, Greg Norman. We look forward to celebrating the club’s history with our flagship event.

“We know Brisbane loves its live sporting events and we look forward to seeing the crowds come out to cheer on our home-grown and international golfers, while enjoying the party atmosphere of the Championship, which will continue to deliver exciting, vibrant and fan-friendly entertainment precincts on course.

“We cannot wait to share this popular tournament with the people of Brisbane.”

Brisbane will also hold the rights to host the 2021 and 2022 Australian PGA Championship at the Royal Queensland Golf Club as part of their host city agreement.

Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones believes bringing one of the country’s most popular tournaments to Brisbane was the perfect way to celebrate Royal Queensland’s 100th year.

“Royal Queensland is steeped in history and boasts golf royalty like Charlie Earp, Greg Norman and Adam Scott among its members, so will make an ideal host for the 2020 Australian PGA Championship,” Ms Jones said.

The Royal Queensland Golf Club previously hosted the Australian PGA Championship in 2000 and 2001, which were both won by decorated PGA Professional Robert Allenby.

Royal Queensland President Andrew Greville is excited to see one of the country’s most prestigious golf events return to the golf club.

“Royal Queensland Golf Club is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to host the Australian PGA Championship in our 100th year,” Mr Greville said.

“We can’t wait to welcome the PGA and European Tour professionals and visitors to our wonderful golf course.”

Announcement of the event comes as Brisbane hosts yet another series of blockbuster events over summer, attracting thousands of visitors to the city and boosting the visitor economy.

Crowds have flocked to the Brisbane International tennis, inaugural ATP Cup and the second iteration of the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships, which featured an exciting three-match Test series between Australia and the US and saw a 15 per cent rise in registered teams since the inaugural event last year.

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