Australian Open returns to Royal Sydney
IN: News | Australasian PGA | Australian Open (2008) | General | by Anthony Powter | 16 Apr 2008
Golf Australia announced today the Australian Open will return to Royal Sydney Golf Club, starting 11 December 2008. It will be the second occasion in two years and the thirteenth in total, the national championship will be held at the famous Rose Bay layout, in eastern Sydney.
Tony Hallam, CEO Golf Australia said, “Golf Australia is delighted to bring the Australian Open back to one of the most highly regarded and picture perfect clubs in Australia.”
Hallam also announced that Craig Parry will return to defend his title and that he’ll be joined by former US Open winner, Geoff Ogilvy, who confirmed his attendance earlier in the week.
“We are please to announced that Craig [Parry] will return to defend his title that he won last year at The Australia as well as Geoff Ogilvy,” said Hallam.
“We are also confident that most of the main Australian players will also return to play their national tournament.”
The innovations introduced by Paul McNamee at past Australian Opens are also set to continue, including the “Go Zones”, twilight golf and the “entertainment hole”.
“The innovations introduced previously will continue, particularly at this magnificent venue, in one of Australia’s best cities,” said Hallam.
“We also will consider approaching some upcoming American and Asian players. The likes of Brandt Snedeker and Jason Gore, for example, were seen as great successes at last year’s event, and we plan to continue with this approach of sourcing these type of players.”
The Australian Open is set to remain in Sydney in 2009, although no venue has yet been confirmed. Possible locations include, The Australian, NSW Golf Club, as well as remaining at Royal Sydney.
“We are committed to providing a world-class event, in a world-class city like Sydney with our partnership with the NSW Government,” said Hallam.
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