Doubt surrounds future of Perth International golf tournament
Western Australia could be without a major golf tournament next year with doubt surrounding the future of the Perth International.
The tournament has previously been sanctioned by the Australian and European PGAs, but it has been left off the schedule for the upcoming European season, and the PGA Tour of Australasia is yet to commit to including the event as part of its summer line-up.
It is understood last minute negotiations are taking place in Perth to continue the event.
However, Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett has admitted there is a chance it may not go ahead.
“I am optimistic, but it depends on signing up the PGA both in Australia and in Europe and it also involves getting some leading golfers to participate,” he said.
Former British Open winner Louis Ooisthuizen won last February’s tournament at Lake Karrinyup.
But the event has struggled to attract the world’s top ranked golfers since it was first staged in 2012, despite being one of the richest golf events in Australia.
It would be a blow for the state as it looks to tourism, and specifically sporting tourism, as a way to grow the local economy.
“Obviously maintaining events long-term is always an issue, but we have had more sporting and artists’ events than the state has ever seen,” Mr Barnett said.
The Australian PGA would not comment when contacted by the ABC.
Source: ABC
