2006 MasterCard Masters, NZ Open to switch dates
BY iseekgolf.com | Australasian PGA Tour | 2006 MasterCard Masters | General | 29 Jun 2006
The PGA Tour of Australasia today announced that following collective discussions with PGA of Australia, Golf Australia, New Zealand Golf and IMG, the parties have agreed to switch the dates of the 2006 MasterCard Masters and New Zealand Open at the end of the year due to a potential broadcasting conflict.
The schedule change will now see the MasterCard Masters played from November 23-26 and the New Zealand Open to be played from November 30-Dec 3.
This amendment was necessitated by a potential clash with the Davis Cup Tennis Final in Australia in November.
The Seven Network in Australia presently has commitments to both events; therefore this amendment will allow Seven to continue their long standing partnership with golf unencumbered, and concentrate on the promotion of the summer series of PGA Tour events.
New Zealand Golf chief executive Larry Graham said they were approached with a request to change dates in order to accommodate television requirements to ensure optimum coverage of both events.
“We sat down and analysed any implications that may occur if we changed the date and found that this change would not have an impact. In fact there is potential with the change of date to attract more of our top New Zealand players home as the open will now be staged a week closer to Christmas.”
Jonathan Field, Vice-President IMG Golf, said “Accommodating the change of date demonstrates how all of the stakeholders are working together to deliver the strongest outcome for the schedule.”
Ben Sellenger, General Manager, PGA Tour of Australasia said “This agreed change is a further reflection of the ongoing cooperation and sound working relationship of the golf bodies and tournament promoters, and the willingness to work together in the best interests of tournament golf in this region. This change will now allow all parties to concentrate on working alongside our broadcast partners to promote the great summer of golf on the PGA Tour.”
Source – PGA Tour Australia
