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Golf Australia is delighted to announce that Dr Haruhisa Handa will be the naming rights sponsor of the Women’s Australian Open for the next two years.
The HANDA Women’s Australian Open will take place at Commonwealth Golf Club from 11-14 March 2010.
Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt welcomed Dr Handa and said it would build tremendous excitement for what was already shaping to be a world-class championship.
“This is wonderful news for our championship,” Pitt said.
“Dr Handa has been involved in Australian golf for many years and we’re delighted that our national women’s championship will receive Dr Handa’s enthusiastic support over the coming two years.”
“The HANDA Women’s Australian Open continues to grow. Early indications are that we will have perhaps the best field ever assembled for this championship. We are equally delighted that Commonwealth has agreed to host a major championship for the first time since 1967,” Pitt said.
Dr Handa said he was pleased to be able continue his commitment to golf at all levels.
“It is my great honour to ensure the continuation of this significant event on the Australian golfing calendar and to continue my support of women’s golf in Australia,” Dr Handa said.
“I am already a strong supporter of women’s golf in the United States, through my involvement with the LPGA Legends Tour. The addition of the Women’s Australian Open to my sponsorship portfolio highlights my continued commitment to supporting golf at all levels. This includes my ongoing support of International Blind Golf and junior golf.”
The announcement of Dr Handa’s naming rights sponsorship of the Women’s Australian Open championship for the next two years, in addition to his current golf sponsorships, makes him the most significant personal (non-corporate) contributor to golf in Australia.
Golf Australia can also confirm that the prize money for the 2010 HANDA Women’s Australian Open has increased to $600,000.
“We are absolutely committed to taking this championship to greater heights each year and increasing the prize money is an important element of that,” Pitt said.
The HANDA Women’s Australian Open will be played at The Commonwealth Golf Club from 11-14 March 2010.