Adelaide has secured the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open for another three years beyond this week’s event at Kooyonga.
Golf Australia and the South Australian Government today announced a new three-year deal for the South Australian capital to keep the world class tournament until at least 2021.
The current three-year deal – which saw the tournament held with great success at The Grange, Royal Adelaide and this year at Kooyonga – was due to run out after this week. While the venues for the next three tournaments have not been finalised, it is widely-expected that all three clubs will be bidding strongly to host again.
“We are incredibly excited to renew for another three years in South Australia,” GA’s chief executive Stephen Pitt said. “The event has really found a home in Adelaide in the previous two years and we expect another sensational tournament at Kooyonga this week.
“We experienced record crowds and television ratings moving to Adelaide in 2016 at The Grange and that upward trend continued at Royal Adelaide last year as the word spread around the LPGA Tour and rest of the golfing world about the many beauties South Australia offers, both on and off course.
“The tournament is extremely important to us in many respects. One of the key planks in Golf Australia’s ongoing strategic focus is to increase female participation in golf, and successfully staging the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open is crucial to its success.
“So it’s fantastic to have a government that is so supportive of women’s golf as part of its commitment more generally to world-class women’s sport, and grass-roots participation, in South Australia.”
Pitt said the partnership between South Australia and the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open delivered:
- the world’s best golfers to Adelaide;
- one of the richest prize pools in Australian tournament golf;
- the platform on which to showcase some of Australia’s greatest golf courses to the world;
- the chance for players and visitors alike to experience world-class produce, wineries, and other great tourism assets around the state.
Events South Australia executive director Hitaf Rasheed said the State Government was pleased to extend its partnership with Golf Australia.
“We’re delighted the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open has enjoyed record-breaking success since its return to Adelaide,” Ms Rasheed said. “Holding this tournament in South Australia reinforces our reputation as a host of world-class events, along with our commitment to support and grow women’s sport.
“We look forward to both this week’s competition and the opportunity to continue working with Golf Australia on an event of the highest calibre.”