Fujitsu extends partnership deal with Emirates Australian Open

One of the Emirates Australian Open’s longest standing and best recognised partners has signed on for another three years.

Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand, one of the world’s largest global IT companies, will partner with Australian golf’s national championship until at least 2020, making a 13-year association that has been a winner for both parties.

Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt said it had been no coincidence that the Australian Open had gone from strength to strength during Fujitsu’s sponsorship tenure.

“The Open has continued to build its on-course reputation with golfers and fans around the world,” Pitt said.

“This is, in part, because of the great partners we have grown with and there have been none better than Fujitsu.

“We’ve built on continuity, ongoing growth and value for money and we’re thrilled that Fujitsu has benefited from that and continues to offer us their support in return.”

Chief executive officer of Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand Mike Foster was excited to continue the association.

“The Australian Open is one of the highest-profile sporting events on the Australian calendar,” Foster said.

“Our sponsorship resonates well with our customer base of senior executives from Australian enterprise and government organisations. We are pleased to be able to continue our strong relationship.”

The Emirates Australian Open is a premier sponsorship property with elite golf continuing to provide the perfect business-to-business platform.

It is a flagship tournament on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia and is currently planning for its 102nd edition at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney from 23-26 November.

Pitt said the recent announcement of Open Championship winner Jordan Spieth coming back to Sydney to defend his Australian crown was a sign of the tournament’s continuing appeal.

“It’s this global status that makes our event both popular to fans and players and appealing to our select stable of quality sponsors,” he said.

The Australian Open was first played in 1904. Its honour roll includes many of the world’s most distinguished golfers such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.

Since 2014, the Emirates Australian Open has been one of the tournaments in the Open Qualifying Series that gives three non-exempt players entry into the following year’s Open Championship.