The 2016 Fiji International has arrived and it promises to
be bigger, bolder and better in 2016.

From humble beginnings, of a shared vision to place Fiji on
the lucrative international golfing map, the Fiji International has come a long
way.

"When we launched this tournament back in 2013, we used the
amazing words of Nelson Mandela to highlight the way in which sport has the
power to change and inspire, to awaken hope and to speak to people in a
language they can understand," said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of
Australia.

"Through the language of golf, and the language of Fiji
we’ve spoken to the people of the world and the world has listened and taken
notice."

"We had a vision to put Fiji on the global golfing map, to
show the world the magnificence of your country, the hospitality of your people
and to build your most acclaimed Fijian sporting event ever."

"The Fijian government, led by the Honourable Prime Minister
Frank Bainimarama and the Honourable Attorney General and Honourable Minister
for Economy Aiyez Sayed Khayoum saw our vision, backed our plan and provided
substantial support to deliver on our vision, for which we are all very
grateful."

In 2016, the Fiji International is co-sanctioned by the
European Tour and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia for the first time, a
relationship which will continue to deliver benefits for the tournament into
the future.

"This year we have become a co-sanctioned tournament with
the European Tour, joining the second oldest tour in the world, and becoming
part of a Tour played in 27 countries with 47 tournaments. We’ve come of age,"
added Thorburn.

A strong representation on the growth of the Fiji
International is the prize money. For the third consecutive year this figure
has increased and now sits at AU$1.5million.

"Since we launched the Fiji International in 2014 with a
purse of just over $1million, we have grown prize money by almost 50 per cent
to a level of $1.5million this year – now the equal second highest purse on the
ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia," continued Thorburn.

But most importantly the success of any international golf
tournament hinges on the quality of the field contesting the title.

The Fiji International continues to go from
strength-to-strength in this department with some of the best players in the
world taking notice of this golfing paradise and requesting to compete.

"As we’ve grown, our playing field has built, and with Vijay
Singh, Nick Price, and Craig Parry in 2014, we’ve become better known, and are
attracting greater player interest and stronger fields," continued Thorburn.

"Last year Vijay again came back to play the Fiji
International and  we attracted World number 17 and seven time PGA TOUR
winner Matt Kuchar, who won the tournament, as well as Peter O’Malley and Ryan
Fox, son of All Black legend and current selector, Grant Fox."

"And this year we have our biggest ever field with no less
than seven PGA Tour winners, headlined by Vijay Singh once again and Ryder Cup
player and World Number 23 Brandt Snedeker. Plus, Americans Boo Weekley and
Heath Slocum. As well as Aussie winners on the PGA Tour; Steve Bowditch, Robert
Allenby and Peter Lonard and a host of others."

The Fiji International will be broadcast around the world
with Fiji on display for more than 1000 hours.

"Our ascension to the European Tour will drive an almost 100
per cent uplift in the broadcast hours that the Fiji International will be
exposed to the world," added Thorburn.

"The international television distribution afforded by the
European Tour will see the Fiji International broadcast into markets never
previously reached and to bigger audiences, especially in the important Asian
market."

"This is incredible exposure of Fiji, of the Coral Coast,
and of Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course."

"But more than that, with the exposure of Tourism Fiji and
the vignettes which show the beauty of Fiji, the exposure the Fiji
International offers is second to none."

One of the main aims of the Fiji International is to drive
the Fijian economy, particularly this year in the wake of Cyclone Winston.

"Fiji has successfully grown its tourism earnings in recent
years, and we believe our tournament has played a significant part in that
growth. As we’ve exposed Fiji into new markets, as we’ve showcased Fijian
hospitality and Fiji’s natural beauty to the world. As the world golfing
community has taken notice of Fiji’s golf assets and tourism appeal," added
Thorburn.

"On the economic front, our tournament continues to drive
substantial economic impact and value to the Fijian economy, as we spend
directly in Fiji on Fijian businesses, as we hire Fijian staff and as our
international staff, TV crew and players spend in your market."

"We bring over 150 event staff into Fiji from overseas just
during tournament week driving over an estimated 1,000 room nights alone."

But the Fiji International has always aimed to be more than
just a golf tournament and tourism exercise.

The Fiji International aims to leave a lasting legacy of our
great game in Fiji.

"As we’ve engaged in the Fijian community, we’ve sought to
give back. We’ve implemented a school golf program that has introduced more
than 5,000 children to the game over three years, and trained more than 20
school teachers to deliver programs. We want to help find, train and develop
the next Vijay Singh to represent Fiji country on the international golfing
stage," added Thorburn.

"More than just aiming to have more Fijian kids taking up
golf, we are also engaging the community through other programs such as
volunteering and caddying at the tournament."

"We’ve sponsored the Fiji National Golf Team, and 
worked closely with the landowners of Natadola, the Sanasana village,
including  sponsoring the Sanasana village rugby team, donating gym
equipment and this year committing to a womens workshop in conjunction with ‘Fijian
Made’."

The 2016 Fiji International promises the greatest spectacle
yet in the tournaments short history when it tees off on Thursday 6 October
with the champion to be decided on Sunday 9 October.

For more information about the Fiji International please
visit fijiinternational.com.