PGA launches Surf Coast Knockout

The PGA of Australia today launched a new tournament set to feature on the2011 PGA Tour of Australasia schedule – an event the likes of which has never before been seen on any major tour the world over.   To be played at The Sands Torquay from January 20-23, 2011, the Surf Coast Knockout is set to breathe new meaning into the age old golf saying, “The tournament doesn’t begin until the back nine on Sunday.”   In a world first, the first three rounds of the Surf Coast Knockout will be contested under stroke play conditions, while the winner will ultimately be decided on Sunday by a reduced match play format.    The match play will be played over six holes only, with tied matches set to be decided by a ‘knockout hole.’    Further enhancing the event, the Surf Coast Knockout will be televised to an international audience live on both Network Ten and OneHD.   In another first, the PGA has scheduled the tournament to finish in twilight hours, meaning the semi-finals and final will be broadcast live during prime time television.    “The Surf Coast Knockout is a unique format that will challenge the traditional way in which golf tournaments are played and broadcast,” said Max Garske, CEO of the PGA of Australia.    “This exciting concept will take a shortened version of the game live on the final day to millions of viewers both in Australia and overseas, engaging anew golf audience, at the same time showcasing the magnificent VictorianBellarine Peninsula.”   A full PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit event, the allure of the innovative new concept has already gained substantial support from a number of key stakeholders including government, tourism bodies and a host of marquee tournament players.   Speaking at today’s media launch The Hon. Richard Marles MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, fully endorsed the concept pledging his support to ensure the success of the innovative new tournament.   “The Surf Coast Knockout is one of the most exciting golf tournaments ever to be played in Australia, and what’s more it will be played on our doorstepin the Geelong region,” said Marles today.       “This tournament promises to bring people to Geelong while at the same time projecting Geelong and the Surf Coast to a new world. I believe the economic benefit to our region could be enormous.”    Tourism Victoria has also pledged their support for the new event as Official Sponsor and Tourism Partner of the Surf Coast Knockout.   “Events such as the Surf Coast Knockout play a critical role in growing visitor arrivals in Victoria, and for this reason Tourism Victoria is pleased to be associated with the 2011 Surf Coast Knockout,” said GregHywood, Chief Executive of Tourism Victoria.    To be played at the spectacular Sands Torquay, the event is also backed by course owner and operator Paddy Handbury (The Handbury Group,) long-time supporters of Australian golf.    PGA Tournament Members have also been quick to support the concept with Peter Lonard, Craig Parry, Peter Senior, Peter O’Malley, Paul Sheehan, ScottLaycock, Stephen Leaney, Andrew Tschudin, Anthony Brown and The SandsTorquay course designer, Stuart Appleby, already expressing interest to playin the Surf Coast Knockout.   The format in brief:   . The field size for the Surf Coast Knockout will be 132 (min) which will include a maximum of 20 amateurs. . The event is a full PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit event.  . Rounds 1-3 will be stroke play.  . The fourth and final round will be contested under match play conditions.  . Two cuts will be made during the tournament (a first for the PGA Tour of Australasia).  . The first cut will be made after 36 holes (to 50 + ties).  . The second will be made after 54 holes (to 32). . The fourth round (match play) will be 16 matches played over 6holes. . A proportion of prize money will be paid to the top 5 following 54holes.  . The remainder of the prize money will be paid following Sunday’s final results.    The Surf Coast Knockout will be played at The Sands Torquay from January20-23, 2011, with the pre-event festivities to kick off from Monday 17thJanuary. The PGA’s broadcast partner Network 10 will broadcast the Surf Coast Classic on Sunday 23rd January live from 12.00pm – 5.00pm on Network10, and from 12.00pm – 7.00pm on OneHD.   

 -ENDS-  

Please note: High resolution images of today’s launch are available- emailnpowell@pga.org.au    For further information please contact: Nicole Powell, PGA of Australia, npowell@pga.org.au, 03 8320 1911 or 0439933 490   **Various sponsorship opportunities for the 2011 Surf Coast Knockout are now available. Please contact Glenn Lloyd, National Commercial Manager of the PGA of Australia on 03 8320 1933 or at glloyd@pga.org.au<mailto:glloyd@pga.org.au> for further information.**            About the PGA of Australia The PGA of Australia has a membership that comprises all Australian professional golfers and includes tournament professionals, club professionals, assistant professionals, teaching professionals, senior professionals and trainees. The PGA’s core aim is to help more Australians enjoy golf more often. In doing so, the PGA aims to deliver more business opportunities to its members. Each year the PGA of Australia stages over 430tournaments from the Australian PGA Championship to the state based Pro-Am circuits that take professional golf to the masses. The PGA of Australia is the official sanctioning body for all elite male professional tournament golf in Australasia.