Australian Open eyes return back to glory in new golf environment

BALLARAT, Australia – February 17, 2007 (Reuters) – Australian golf has many options to help it return to its old glory.

James Sutherland, chief executive of Golf Australia, says there are many options for the Australian Open. The event was cancelled in the past two years because of travel restrictions caused by coronavirus.

The event will be held at Melbourne’s famous Sandbelt course, Victoria, late in 2022.

Sutherland spoke to Reuters to discuss the latest figures showing a 21% increase of Australians playing golf. He said there were pros as well as cons to teaming up for a co sanctioned event with a foreign tour.

He told Reuters by telephone that he has high hopes for the Australian Open to be a success and that he was confident.

“If cosanctioning with an international tour is something that is favorable to that, then that’s what we’re really open and willing to entertain.

“We would love to see high-profile players, but that could be counterproductive to the overall strategy of growing golf and more Australians playing it.”

Sutherland stated that he had not spoken to Greg Norman, the public face for the Saudi-backed Super Golf League, which, if it is successful, could transform the game.

When asked if Golf Australia would consider partnering the WGL, he replied that “I think we all have to be open to all the opportunities that might exist from time to time.”

“Big picture, we want people to talk to us. But everything we do must fit into our strategy. It’s all about making sure it works for Australian Golf as a whole.

During the golden era of the 1960s and 70s, seven times Gary Player won the Australian Open. Six times Jack Nicklaus won it.

However, the field quality has suffered in recent decades due to the decline in prize money and the escalating purses of the United States.

The Women’s Australian Open has, however, gone the opposite direction. It boasts a world-class field since it was co-sanctioned with the U.S.-based LPGA Tour in 2012.

It was also cancelled in the past two summers. However, Sutherland stated that he hoped to have next summer’s championships back as a co sanctioned event, even though it wasn’t a done deal.

Rumours also abound that the men’s Open and women’s Opens will be held on the same course, using different tees. This is a format that has worked well at Vic Open. Sutherland did however not comment on this.

Sutherland is also calling for more professional tournaments for women and to increase participation at all levels. This includes dispelling the perception that the sport can be too stuffy.

While the number of male golfers increased sharply during the 2019-20 financial years, women’s participation was nearly flat with only 2% of the female population (aged 15+) signing up for a club.

Sutherland stated that there is no quick fix, but we must attract more girls to the game from the bottom up.

“It’s not because young people, women, and girls don’t enjoy golf. We haven’t made the game more attractive to them than we could or should have.

Reporting by Andrew Both, Ballarat (Australia)
Toby Davis edits

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