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Rising star of Australian golf, Cam Davis, has locked in both of his country’s majors – the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane and ISPS HANDA Australian Open in Sydney – to his end-of-year schedule.
A sensational against-the-odds winner of the ISPS HANDA Australian Open in 2017 when he was just 22 years old and ranked outside the top 1000 in the world, Davis has produced another strong year on the US PGA TOUR in 2023.
His seven top-10 finishes include a tie for fourth at the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, his best finish in his young major championship career to date.
Continuing on from a strong second half of the PGA TOUR’s 2022/23 season which saw him play in the end-of-season FedEx Cup Playoffs, Davis recently finished equal third at the Fortinet Championship in California to boost his Official World Golf Ranking to a career-high of 44.
Davis confirmed today that he would contest the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland from November 23-26 – where he was tied for seventh in 2022 – before heading home to Sydney for a shot at a second ISPS HANDA Australian Open title at The Australian and The Lakes golf clubs from November 30-December 3.
“It’s always enjoyable to come back home and to be part of the Summer Golf in Australia,” Davis said.
“I have great memories of The Australian and going back there, as well as The Lakes, for the Open is something I’m very much looking forward to.
“Last year’s PGA Championship at Royal Queensland had great crowds, with a huge vibe. I’m sure with the field that’s being assembled, it’ll be a fun event to be part of again in November.”
PGA of Australia CEO, Gavin Kirkman said: “Cam is a rising star in world golf and undoubtedly will be a player to watch in our two Aussie majors. In recent weeks, he’s climbed back inside the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking and reached a career-high so he’ll be bringing some good form back home for the Australian PGA and Australian Open.”
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said: “Cam’s victory at The Australian back in 2017 was one of the best by a young Australian competing in their national open championship. We’re delighted he will be back this year, playing in front of family, friends, and a passionate home crowd in Sydney. He’s had a terrific year and there’s no reason why he can’t top it off by taking out the Stonehaven Cup.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said: “The Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane is set to be a massive drawcard for locals and visitors this summer.
“With more than 62,000 fans participating in last year’s event, we expect the impacts off the green to be felt across the city, delivering millions in economic support to local Brisbane restaurants, hotels and tourism experiences.”
As well as being highlight tournaments on the PGA Tour of Australasia, the two Aussie majors will be co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour and form part of the start to the 2023/24 Race to Dubai schedule.
Tickets for both the ISPS HANDA Australian Open and Fortinet Australian PGA Championship are available now at Ticketek.
Today marks a new dawn for the PGA Tour of Australasia, with Australian investment management firm Challenger signing on as exclusive naming rights partner – its first partnership in Australian sport.
The breeding ground for Australian golf’s champions and home tour of our current superstars will now be known as the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
The new three-year partnership forms part of a wide-ranging Australian Golf collaboration, with Challenger also becoming a partner of Golf Australia, the WPGA Tour of Australasia, PGA Legends Tour, and Golf Management Australia.
The partnership will also play an important role in promoting golf across Australia’s local communities, cities and internationally while continuing to elevate professional golf across the wider region.
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said the partnership with Challenger represented a union of shared values and a commitment to fostering growth and innovation.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Challenger and look forward to achieving our joint goals over the next three years,” he said.
“We will be focused on offering even greater opportunities for our aspiring golf professionals to hone their skills and achieve their dreams, as well as creating captivating golf events across Australasia.
“This partnership is another great example of the Australian Golf Strategy generating opportunities for our sport with quality brands.”
Challenger is Australia’s leading retirement income brand, playing an important role helping Australians achieve financial security for a better retirement.
Challenger Managing Director and CEO, Nick Hamilton said: “Challenger is delighted to partner with the PGA of Australia, WPGA and Golf Australia.
“With over nine million passionate golf fans in Australia, and a sport of choice for over 45s, this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to showcase our brand and retirement credentials as we focus on taking a broader stance in retirement.
“The partnership also aligns with Challenger’s commitment to supporting Australia’s communities, investing at the grass roots to ensure that talented players can thrive at the highest level.
“We look forward to bringing this partnership to golf fans, customers and the wider community.”
In addition, Challenger will also be a part of some key vocational PGA Member initiatives to increase their connection with the highly skilled PGA Professionals, who are at the forefront of promoting and growing golf at the club level.
The full Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia schedule for 2023/24 will be announced tomorrow.
The Challenger PGA Tour of Australia will visit six Australian states and territories in 2023/24, as well as New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Eight Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia events will be played in the lead-up to the end of the year, including the two Aussie majors – the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship and the ISPS HANDA Australian Open. As well as an increased events schedule for 2023-24, the Tour features live broadcasts of almost all tournaments via Fox Sports and Kayo, with Nine and Nine Now also simulcasting the two Australian majors.
Challenger Limited (Challenger) is an investment management firm focused on providing customers with financial security for a better retirement. Challenger operates a fiduciary Funds Management division, an APRA-regulated Life division and an APRA-regulated authorised deposit-taking institution. Challenger Life Company Limited (Challenger Life) is Australia’s largest provider of annuities.
About the PGA of Australia
The PGA of Australia is a not-for-profit Member-based organisation representing both Tournament Professionals and the Club Professionals who form the cornerstone of the industry, working in golf facilities throughout Australia and overseas. Our PGA Members play an integral role in servicing more than 1.5 million Australians who hit the fairways each year. The PGA of Australia also owns and manages the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia which is a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours.
TrackMan has teamed up with the PGA of Australia to provide a new virtual experience that could win you a trip to this year’s Fortinet Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland.
And it involves tackling the Ryder Cup course, Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Italy, which hosted the United States and Europe teams.
The Road to the PGA has been played at many golf clubs in a traditional golf format over the years, but this year it will be possible to enter via any Trackman simulator in Australia.
The Virtual Road to the PGA can be found in the TrackMan Golf app under tournaments and a low score at Marco Simone could send you all the way to Royal Queensland.
The winners of the three divisions of the Virtual Road to the PGA, running from October 1-31, will earn a place in the Road to the PGA Championship Final played at Royal Queensland on the Sunday before the professionals battle for the Kirkwood Cup at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.
The championship finalists not only get to play the PGA course under tournament conditions, they will also be competing for two sought after Kirkwood Club tickets to the first day of the tournament.
To find your nearest TrackMan location, go to TrackMan.com/locator.
For more on the Road to the PGA, go to https://championship.pga.org.au/road-to-the-pga-faqs/
Virtual Road to the PGA tournament format:
Sign-up and entry requirements
The tournament will be made available in all TrackMan simulators across Australia. You can sign up directly in the TrackMan software (under tournaments). The requirement to join is that you have a TrackMan handicap and has played at least two rounds of golf in TrackMan (it can be two rounds of 9 holes)
The PGA Legends Tour experienced a first-time winner with Brad Cumming snaring the Toronto Legends Pro-Am in the Tour’s first visit to the Toronto Country Club.
After teeing off in the morning wave at 7am and then having to wait to see if his round of 3-under 67 would hold up as the best score of the day, Cumming emerged with a two-shot margin ahead of the previous day’s winner in Maitland, Adam Henwood, and Paul Powell.
HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED
There were good signs early for Cumming who hit a nine-iron approach to inside a metre on his first hole, the 14th, to snare an opening birdie.
The Queenslander made it to 5-under for the day, with six birdies, before back-to-back bogeys on his final two holes.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“This is the first win I’ve had in a pro event since I won Q-school all those years ago,” Cumming said.
“I was very nervous during the day. It was up and down, up and down. Every beer actually made the waiting much better.
“The wind did blow up a bit in the afternoon, but I wanted it to blow a bit harder. I was sitting in the clubhouse and saw it was blowing a bit so that was really good.”
“I holed a couple of putts, the greens were pure and everyone’s had a great time being here.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
-3 (67): Brad Cumming
-1 (69): Paul Powell, Adam Henwood
Even (70): Peter Lonard, Brad Burns
NEXT UP
A busy week concludes with the Magenta Realty Legends Pro-Am at Magenta Shores on Thursday and the Shelley Beach Legends Pro-Am at Shelley Beach Golf Club on Friday.
Photo: Toronto Legends Pro-Am winner Brad Cumming and Toronto Golf Club head professional Darren Green
The Sydney stop on the Webex Players Series will have a new host venue this summer with Castle Hill Country Club returning to the PGA Tour of Australasia’s itinerary in 2024.
After three years at Bonnie Doon Golf Club, Webex Players Series Sydney hosted by Braith Anasta has been locked in at Castle Hill in the city’s north-west for an initial two-year period.
The first edition at Castle Hill will be staged from February 8-11, carry $250,000 in prizemoney and will be the fourth of five Webex Players Series events in the Summer of Golf.
Now in its fourth year, the Webex Players Series is an innovative series of tournaments that sees male and female professionals, elite amateurs, and All-Abilities golfers, lining up in the one field on the same golf course.
While they play off different tees according to their gender, the PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia professionals are vying for the same trophy and prizemoney.
Castle Hill has a rich history in hosting men’s professional golf, dating back to 1968, including being a host venue for the Australian PGA Championship, NSW Open, NSW PGA and Canon Challenge.
However it will be the club’s first time as a WPGA Tour of Australasia tournament venue.
PGA of Australia General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relations Nick Dastey said: “Castle Hill has proven to be a great venue for tournament golf with a distinguished list of past champions.
“We’re very much looking forward to again partnering with the club, and a big lover of golf in Braith Anasta, with Webex Players Series Sydney.”
WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn said: “There’s a huge golfing audience in Sydney’s north-west who haven’t had their own tournament in their own backyard for some time.
“Webex Player Series Sydney is going to be a great opportunity to see our best women and men in action together at the same time on the high-quality test that Castle Hill will provide.”
Castle Hill Country Club General Manager Brenden Ellam, said: “We pride ourselves on being a championship venue, and we are thrilled to bring the best of Australasia’s golfing talent back to our Club.
“In 2019, our course underwent improvements, and we have commenced a re-modelling of the members lounge and balcony areas.
“We are keen to showcase these exceptional golfing and hospitality experiences for the tournament.”
Webex Players Series Sydney champions
2023: David Micheluzzi (Vic)
2022: Jarryd Felton (WA)
2021: Andrew Martin (Vic)
Previous professional tournament winners at Castle Hill Country Club:
1968 NSW PGA: Billy Dunk
1969 NSW PGA: Billy Dunk
1970 NSW PGA: Billy Dunk
1985 Australian PGA: Greg Norman
1986 Australian PGA: Mike Harwood
1993 Canon Challenge: Michael Campbell
1994 Canon Challenge: Peter Senior
2000 Canon Challenge: Paul Gow
2001 Canon Challenge: David Smail
2013 NSW Open: Aron Price
Australia’s best professional golfers and elite amateur stars are set to test their games in a way very few have ever done at the inaugural World Sand Greens Championships for men and women in regional New South Wales in 2024.
Each tournament, the women’s championship in April and men’s event in September, will carry $140,000 in prizemoney, be contested over 36 holes and are sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia.
Walcha Golf Club in the New England area will host the Women’s World Sand Greens Championship from April 9-10, and from September 28-29, Binalong Golf Club in the Yass Valley will host the Men’s World Sand Greens Championship.
Golf NSW will partner with the Sports Entertainment Network (SEN), The Home of Sport, to livestream the final round of both tournaments on the Golf NSW website, social media, and via the SEN App.
Golf NSW General Manager – Golf Olivia Wilson said the concept of playing two professional tournaments on sand surfaces was a first in Australia, and certain to attract a lot of interest, from both local and overseas competitors.
“Playing and putting on sand greens is a very different experience for many players, with two impressive purses on offer, interest should be high,” she said.
PGA Tour of Australasia Tournaments Director Nick Dastey, said the dual events would be an exciting opportunity to showcase the distinct style of golf.
“The PGA Tour of Australasia looks forward to the World Sand Greens Championship coming to life in late September 2024,” he said.
“Our unique country provides for various course and weather conditions across the vast lands we play. Sand greens golf will provide for a very different test to play a professional event on and one I am sure will showcase the creative talents our players possess.
“The World Sand Greens Championship will be a great way to kick-start what is sure to be a huge 2024/25 Summer of Golf.”
WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn shared her excitement for the upcoming golfing spectacle which will count towards the WPGA Tour’s Order of Merit.
“The WPGA Tour is very much looking forward to having the World Sand Greens Championship on our schedule from 2024,” she said.
“All golf is golf, and this new and innovative event will provide our players and international visitors with a completely different test of golf from what they are used to.
“Sand greens golf plays an important part in Australia’s golfing landscape, especially in rural communities, and it will be great to showcase this side of our game.”
The 2024 World Sand Greens Championships is proudly supported by Destination NSW, the tourism and major events agency for the NSW Government.
FAST FACTS:
Women’s World Sand Greens Championship
Date: April 10-11, 2024
Purse: $140,000
Course Par: 71 (Red)
Length: 5389 m (Red Tees)
Walcha Golf Club: regarded as one of NSW’s best sand greens courses. Just one hour east of Tamworth and 3/4 hour from Armidale, the town is halfway between Sydney and Brisbane.
More info: https://www.golfnsw.org.au/golf-clubs/walcha-golf-club/
Men’s World Sand Greens Championship
Date: September 28-29, 2024
Purse: $140,000
Course Par: 70 (Blue)
Length: 5280 m (Blue Tees)
Binalong Golf Club: Just an hour from Canberra, the club has a long and rich history dating to 1857. The 18-hole layout is a picturesque mix of holes with some long par-threes but reachable par-fives.
More info: https://www.golfnsw.org.au/golf-clubs/binalong-golf-club/
Australian Aaron Wilkin has come from seven shots back to complete a remarkable victory at the BRG Open Golf Championship on the Asian Development Tour in Vietnam.
Countryman Deyen Lawson began the final round with a two-shot lead at 10-under par, Wilkin a distant ninth at 3-under par at the Da Nang Golf Resort’s Nicklaus Course.
Three birdies in the first five holes of the third and final round gave Wilkin a glimpse of the top of the leaderboard and he never looked back.
With further birdies at eight, 11, 15 and 18, Wilkin’s 7-under 65 was the round of the day, his 10-under total enough to secure a one-stroke win.
The 2022 Queensland PGA champion endured an anxious wait but when Lawson (73) failed to find a birdie at either of his final two holes, Wilkin was able to celebrate his biggest victory on international soil.
“I think I was seven back after yesterday. I knew I had to go low, but I didn’t think it was out of my reach,” said Wilkin.
“I was hoping it would be a tough finish which would maybe bring a few of them back.
“I played to my game plan. It doesn’t always go the way you map it out but today it did, so I’m pretty happy with that.
“I’ve been struggling with my putting and I’ve been waiting for a day when they all go in. They didn’t all go in today but they pretty much did.
“I had some good par saves and then I holed the putt on the last which was probably a bit lucky.
“I was nervous and my hands were shaking.”
Final results
Asian Development Tour
BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang
Da Nang Golf Resort (Nicklaus Cse), Vietnam
1 Aaron Wilkin 73-68-65—206 $US17,500
2 Deyen Lawson 68-66-73—207 $11,500
T15 Jack Murdoch 73-69-72—214 $1,237.50
MC Peter Wilson 75-72—147
MC Kade McBride 68-79—147
MC Harrison Gilbert-Wong 78-72—150
Photo: Courtesy of Asian Development Tour
Australia’s top-ranked golfer, Cam Smith, will return home for the country’s two majors – the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship and the ISPS HANDA Australian Open – in the upcoming Summer of Golf.
The world No.11 confirmed today that he would defend the PGA title that he won in front of a raucous home crowd last year when the championship returns to Royal Queensland in Brisbane on November 23-26.
He will then try to win his national open for the first time when The Australian and The Lakes golf clubs in Sydney host the ISPS HANDA Australian Open on November 30-December 3.
Last year’s Open Championship winner at the historic 150th staging of the event at St Andrews, Smith had two top-10 finishes in this year’s majors and has collected two international victories in 2023.
A great supporter of Australian golf and the PGA Tour of Australasia, the 30-year-old is sure to bring big crowds to both tournaments in his homeland.
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said: “Cam will be trying to join an elite group of golfers by winning the Kirkwood Cup for a fourth time this November and I’m sure he’ll be ready to put on a great show once again at Royal Queensland.
“Cam continues to support his home tour each year and the fans just want to see him live and in action showcasing his game while inspiring our next generation of players girls and boys to reach their peak.
“With Cam locked in for both fields, the Australian PGA and Australian Open will be must-see events.”
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said: “Cam Smith is one of the biggest drawcards in world golf and I’m sure Australian golf fans are as delighted as we are that we will see him at both Sydney and Brisbane this year.
“His quest to win his national open at The Australian and The Lakes in Sydney will be one of the highlights of the summer of golf.”
In the early stages of his professional career, Smith lost a playoff to American Jordan Spieth at the 2016 Australian Open at Royal Sydney. A year later, he was fourth behind Cam Davis at The Australian.
His Australian PGA Championship record features back-to-back victories at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast in 2017-18 with Adam Scott winning the 2019 title to prevent a three peat before last year’s three-shot triumph at Royal Queensland.
As well as being highlight tournaments on the PGA Tour of Australasia, the two Aussie majors will be co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour and form part of the start to the 2023/24 Race to Dubai schedule.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Cam Smith’s return home to Brisbane was a win for the city.
“We are thrilled to welcome back Brisbane sporting royalty and keys to the city recipient Cam Smith to tee off an exciting summer of golf in front of a home crowd,” Cr Schrinner said.
“The Australian PGA Championship is a major driver for visitation, attracting more than 62,000 fans last year to watch Cam’s electrifying win.
“The tournament is a highlight of our jam-packed major events calendar and is set to deliver millions in economic support to local Brisbane businesses, with hotels, tourism experiences and restaurants experiencing the economic upswing.
“We hope visitors will take advantage of their time off the course to explore Brisbane’s unique offerings and beautiful natural surrounds.”
Tickets for both the ISPS HANDA Australian Open and Fortinet Australian PGA Championship are available now via ticketek.com.au
The Fortinet Australian PGA Championship is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane City Council, through Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
The ISPS HANDA Australian Open is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
The PGA of Australia and Holmesglen Institute are opening up more opportunities for students to pursue a career in the business of sport as the next significant step in their innovative partnership.
The Australian-first PGA Institute, established at the prestigious Sandhurst Golf Club in Melbourne’s south, has a range of courses for students keen to pursue or develop careers in the golf industry.
Now the partners are announcing an automatic eligibility pathway to allow students who complete the Diploma of Golf Management to proceed to a Bachelor of Sports Business.
Students have two options – attending the PGA Institute on-campus at Sandhurst for 12 months followed by two-and-a-half years at Holmesglen; or undertaking two years online study with the PGA Institute and then two-and-a-half years at Holmesglen.
The Institute offers dedicated golf business training in an integrated and effective golfing ecosystem. Through the Hub collaboration, Holmesglen is delivering accredited courses in Sports Turf Management and Hospitality Management between its Glen Waverley campus, Zest training restaurant and Sandhurst. A tourism course is also available.
All courses, which are nationally accredited and endorsed by the PGA, provide practical training, industry placement and a focus on the golf industry, which employs over 25,000 people in Australia.
PGA General Manager – Membership and Education, Geoff Stewart, said: “We are proud of our partnership with Holmesglen Institute, Victoria’s largest TAFE, to provide an unrivalled golf education offering for our industry now and into the future.
“Our team at the PGA Institute, which is the number one location for people seeking a career in golf, is excited about this development in our collaboration with Holmesglen which will offer students the opportunity for further education that can benefit their careers not only in golf but the broader sporting industry.”
Andrew Williamson, Executive Director, Holmesglen Institute, said: “The relationship between Holmesglen Institute and PGA Australia – through the PGA Institute – continues to evolve.
“This new pathway initiative again works to the complementary strengths of both partners to provide a high-quality educational outcome for students. As with all PGA Institute activities, the Diploma of Golf Management to Holmesglen’s Bachelor of Sport Business pathway is securely underpinned by excellent industry connections, ensuring that graduates are highly sought after as they start their sporting careers.”
For more information on study programs and enrolment, click here.
Global sportswear leader adidas has signed a historic partnership to unite the PGA of Australia, Golf Australia and WPGA Tour of Australasia under one apparel and footwear partnership.
A major partner of the PGA of Australia and PGA Tour of Australasia since 2019 and WPGA Tour since 2020, adidas has now extended its partnership for a further three years to include Golf Australia and become the first joint apparel and footwear partnership in the Australian Golf partnership family.
The Australian Golf partnership with the iconic sports brand adds to a strong commitment to golf which includes sponsorship agreements with 22 current Australian professionals and elite amateur golfers, including LPGA Tour star Grace Kim.
As well as being the new naming rights partner for the Australian Amateur Championship, which will be held in Melbourne in 2024, the adidas partnership with Australian Golf includes the Australasian PGA and WPGA Tours; Australian PGA Championship; Australian Open (from 2024); The Athena; the Womens Golf Network; a range of other tournaments; and broadcast/digital engagement opportunities to both fans and PGA members.
PGA of Australia Commercial Director Michael McDonald said adidas’ alignment with Australian Golf was a great win for our sport.
“The PGA of Australia has had a great relationship with adidas and achieved some wonderful outcomes as a result of the supportive way they work with the golf industry and our PGA Members. Their engagement with golf fans has also been outstanding and it’s exciting that this will now grow to include Golf Australia,” he said.
“They have become the first of our existing partners, and the third partner overall, to become a major partner with all three national golf bodies which is a great show of support and confidence in the game at professional, elite amateur and club golf levels.
“As well as being a partner in our Summer of Golf, we will continue to work collaboratively with adidas to increase their connection with the highly skilled PGA Professionals, who are at the forefront of promoting and growing golf at the club level.”
Golf Australia General Manager Commercial Anthony Everard said: “The team at adidas love golf, are committed to helping us achieve our goals and their focus on sustainability and inclusivity aligns closely with our Strategy for Australian Golf.
“They are keen to do more with us on the grassroots and community side of the game, which continues to experience a participation boom, while continuing to contribute to the renewed interest we are seeing with professional golf.”
Darryn Lowe, General Manager of adidas Golf Pacific, said the global sports manufacturer was excited to continue its investment in golf through the Australian Golf partnership.
“This is a landmark moment for the adidas brand and a partnership that we are extremely proud of. As the Most Progressive Brand in Golf, we have a responsibility to lead from the front and in partnership with the PGA of Australia, Golf Australia and WPGA Tour of Australasia, we know we will be able to bring this vision to life.”
“We are excited to deepen our commitment and connection to the game of golf, PGA Professionals and golfers of all ages and abilities through our Australian Golf partnership.”
WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn said: “Adidas are incredible supporters of women’s golf and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with one of the world’s most inclusive brands.”
The Golf Australia, PGA of Australia and WPGA Tour of Australasia events teams and workforce will be fitted out by adidas.
