RACV Royal
Pines on the Gold Coast,Queensland is set to host its fourth Australian PGA
Championship but just the second over its fully revamped layout when the event
gets underway from 1-4 December.

In 2015,
the newly completed and redesigned tournament course at the multi-facility
resort proved a demanding test, a score of even par being good enough to earn a
place in the playoff between eventual winner, Nathan Holman, South African
Dylan Frittelli and American Harold Varner III.

With the
benefit of 12 months of additional maturity, however, the layout, while still
expected to offer a stern examination for the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia
and European Tour field lining up in one of Australian golf’s great
championships, should see improved scoring on that produced last year.

Given the
blustery conditions on the opening two days 12 months ago and the firmness of
the greens brought about by their newness back then, the high scoring was
perhaps not unexpected.

After all, the brief of golf course designer, Graham Marsh, had been to ensure
a far stronger test than had been the case in professional tournaments of
either gender in the past at RACV Royal Pines. With so much learned about how
the new course would play and that settling in process, the 2016 version is
expected to offer greater scoring opportunities for those playing the Australian
PGA Championship.

Lincoln
Coombes, RACV Royal Pines golf course superintendent has been tasked with
having the course at its peak for the event.

"I think
the course is settling nicely. We have had a lot of use this year with so much
interest in the new layout and the feedback has been very positive especially
as players learn to play the course from the tees that best suit their handicap
and capabilities," said Coombes.

"Let’s not
forget there were some good scores out there last year including the brilliant
64 on day two by Rhein Gibson, the third round of 66 by Harold Varner III and
several other rounds of 67. I think with the course becoming more receptive in
the last 12 months we will see lower scoring overall this year.

"There
will likely be a few changes in set-up this year including bringing the markers
forward on the 14th because the windy conditions and its direction last year
made it challenging to keep the ball on the green there.

"There may
be some different pin positions used this year based on what we learnt last
year. So overall I feel it will offer a very fair test now that the front-9 has
had two years to settle in and the back nine the 12 months.

"We have
programmed a light aerate in the next couple of weeks to soften up some of the
areas that may have been of concern as we want the greens both firm, yet
receptive," added Lincoln.

Memberships
at RACV Royal Pines have more than doubled in the last two years and usage by
casual golfers or visitors has increased exponentially in that time as golfers
have become aware of the greater test and the more aesthetically pleasing
experience the layout now provides.

David
Hogben, manager of Golf and Sports at RACV Royal Pines, is delighted with the
impact the changes are having on player numbers.

"The
members love the challenge the new course provides and for those that are
visiting and have perhaps not been here for a while they certainly notice and
are enjoying the difference," said Hogben.

"The golf
course is a lot more demanding and asks a lot more of a player now. Having 27
holes back in play is playing its role in number increases but there is also a
great deal of overall interest and acceptance in the new look layout."

John Morris,
general manager RACV Queensland Resorts is also very pleased with the positive
impact the upgrading of the golf course and other facilities are having on
overall business for the resort.

"Now the
course is settling in the figures are reflecting a very positive response to
the course – we are seeing a really solid response from golfers of all levels,"
said Morris.

"We are
picking up members from not only our local residents but from some of the other
courses in the area as people play the new layout and experience the new
challenge it offers.

"The
redesign and improvement of the course has been complemented by the addition of
new leisure facilities such as One Spa, the gymnasium and the brand new water park,
catering for toddlers through to teens which, when added to our extensive range
of restaurants, provides a comprehensive range of facilities and entertainment."

World
Number 6 Adam Scott will headline this year’s Australian PGA Championship. He
will be joined by World Number 48 Marc Leishman, Scott Hend (63), Marcus
Fraser (109), Harold Varner III (188) and defending champion Nathan Holman
(292) at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 1-4 December.

The Australian
PGA Championship is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through
Tourism and Events Queensland’s It’s Live! in Queensland major
events calendar.

The Australian PGA Championship
will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 1-4 December with tickets on
sale via Ticketek.