Golf Australia announced today that Paul McNamee has accepted the newly created position of Executive Chairman of the MFS Australian Open and the Women’s Australian Open for the next three years. In making the announcement, Jerry Ellis, Chairman of Golf Australia, said, “We are delighted that Paul has agreed to take on this role. He has demonstrated an extraordinary vision and skill over the past 12 years in his role at Tennis Australia and this, combined with his passion for golf, gives us great confidence in his ability to shape the future of the Australian Opens”. In his role as Executive Chairman of the Australian Opens, McNamee will have responsibility for raising the profile of golf in this country by turning the Opens into significant events in the Asia Pacific region. His contract with Golf Australia will also allow him to continue with his other passion, the Hyundai Hopman Cup. “After leaving Tennis Australia, I hoped that I would be able to help another sport that I love and I feel privileged to be offered this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with golf, which I have been passionate about since I was young”, said McNamee. “I am tremendously excited about what lies ahead and the opportunity to work with Jerry and Tony as part of the Golf Australia team. Golf is an iconic sport with tremendous strength in its heritage and core values. This, combined with the playing depth of our Australian golfers will enable us to build events of stature and prestige. I believe this is a winning combination and one that will help Golf Australia and the golf industry popularise the events beyond their current status”. Paul McNamee s appointment is effective immediately. In the next two weeks, he will join Golf Australia CEO, Tony Hallam in the USA where they will meet with Australian US PGA Tour players to discuss plans for the MFS Australian Open to be held at Royal Sydney Golf Club in November this year. This is part of the coordinated work by Golf Australia and the PGA Tour, PGA of Australia and IMG to communicate directly with the Australian players on the USA PGA, LPGA and Nationwide Tours regarding the Australasian summer of golf. Paul McNamee Questions & Answers – March 28 2006 Did you leave Tennis Australia to take up this position? No. After 12 years at Tennis Australia, I had achieved what I set out to achieve and I was keen to investigate other horizons. When was the deal done? Last week. I was hoping there would be other sporting opportunities I could pursue and I couldn’t do this until I left Tennis Australia. The timing has been perfect for both me and Golf Australia. What does the position of Executive Chairman for the Australian opens involve? On behalf of Golf Australia I will oversee their development by working closely with our commercial partners to grow both the MFS Australian Open and the Women’s Australian Open into significant events in the Asia Pacific region. Is this a full-time position? As Executive Chairman the position is part-time. I will have an office at Golf Australia and am committed to adding value wherever I can and as much that is needed. What is achieved will be through a team effort and it will take the time it takes. What are your short and long term goals? In the immediate short-term I am meeting Golf Australia s commercial partners and staff and learning as much as I can about what is already in place. Next week I will be travelling to the USA with Tony Hallam, where we will meet with Gus Seebeck and the Australian US PGA Tour players to discuss plans for the MFS Australian Open to be held at Royal Sydney Golf Club in November this year. Overall, my goal is to further popularise the game by broadening the demographic. This is a tremendously exciting challenge and I am eagerly looking forward to it. To get the atmosphere, do you need to get the top players? We already have the top players. Six of our Australian golfers are ranked in the top 35 players in the world; 12 are in the top 100. We need to celebrate the great depth and strength of our Australian players and the game as it is played in Australia and in the neighbouring region. What are your thoughts on Golf Australia s recent amalgamation? In developing the totality of golf as a sport, bringing together the men’s and women’s organisations under one roof provides opportunities at a number of levels. It includes significant advantages for engaging the public and corporate community in the Opens. What impact does your position have on IMG s role? Golf Australia has reached agreement on a new relationship where IMG will be Golf Australia s commercial representative across its entire portfolio of activities and events. My role is in relation to the MFS Australian Open and the Women’s Australian Open and will complement IMG s skills and experience. Do you hope to turn the Australian opens into something as big as you achieved with Tennis? Tennis and golf are completely different and the two sports can t be compared to each other. My aim, with Golf Australia and its partners, is to build the stature of the events to be as big as they can be and to make them regionally significant, must see events. What is happening with the Australian Women’s Open? We fully intend to hold an Australian Women’s Open early next year and I will part of the process to make that happen.
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