TO celebrate the imminent arrival of Tiger Woods, the PGA of Australia has launched Fantasy Golf, to be played over the remaining weeks of the PGA Tour of Australasia’s summer season.

Take the challenge and play Fantasy Golf over five weeks of the PGA Tour of Australasia season. Try to outscore your friends, colleagues and the rest of the Fantasy community.

In your role as selector and coach, you get to pick 12 players you think will perform best in each of the five remaining PGA Tour of Australasia summer events, earning  points for your team with every hole played.

The comp tees off with the JBWere Masters, continues through the Cellarbrations NSW PGA Championship, the NSW Open hosted by Nathan Green and the Australian Open and will conclude with Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola, the final event of the Aussie summer of golf.

The overall Fantasy winner will win a set of Srixon golf clubs and tour bag. There are also Srixon golf balls to be won each week.

To register visit  http://fantasy.pga.org.au and select your 12 player team. Be quick! First trading black-out is 6am on Thursday 12th November.

A NEW weekly free to air Australian golf show will premiere on Network Ten’s 24 hour sport channel ONE in late October.

AFL commentator and sports guru Andrew Maher will host the locally produced show which the network says will cover a variety of topics that will appeal to golfers of all ages and abilities.

The PGA of Australia will partner with ONE to bring the show, ‘The Pro Shop’ to viewers on Tuesday nights, with the first season extending to the conclusion of 2010’s first Major Championship, the 2010 Masters from Augusta National.

In a media release today, the PGA said it would work closely with sports commentator Maher on the content of the show as they continue to strive to promote and grow all aspects of the game in Australia.

As well as full previews and reviews of all the major domestic Tournaments, the show will analyse and test the latest equipment, visit and review a host of golf courses and golf travel destinations, talk to leading professionals, meet celebrities who share a passion for golf as well as provide useful tips, hints and drills to improve your game.

Max Garske, CEO of the PGA of Australia said the introduction of The Pro Shop would boost the PGA’s thriving relationship with Network Ten with golf fans ultimately the big winners.

“We are very excited about the launch of ‘The Pro Shop’ which in conjunction with the increased tournament coverage Network Ten will deliver this summer will ensure that golf lovers at all levels will be catered for. We look forward to working together in our desire to serve the golf fans what they have asked for –the highest level of golf coverage ever.”

David White, Network Ten General Manager of Sport, said the show was part of the Network’s strategy to provide more sporting lifestyle content to Australian sports lovers.

“Along with our extensive live sport offerings we believe that sports fans want to learn about different sports and how to incorporate them into their lives. This show will have something for the casual golfer right through to the dedicated serious golfer.”

Opportunities exist for ‘The Pro Shop’ to include your course, venue, personnel or equipment on the show. If you would like more information or have any story ideas please email theproshop@networkten.com.au

TWO of Australia’s best club pros will get a shot at the big time with a start in the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.

The chance to play alongside the likes of Vijay Singh, Geoff Ogilvy and the cream of Australasian golf will be an added bonus for the top two finishers at next week’s PGA Professionals Championship, which will tee off on Wednesday at the Sandhurst Club in Victoria.

The PGA Professionals Championship, an evolution of the previous Club Pro Championship, is the PGA of Australia’s premier vocational members event.

Next Friday afternoon will not only herald the crowning of the 2009 Champion but will see who gets to line up for the Australian PGA Championship at the Hyatt Regency.

“This is a great opportunity for our vocational members to get a chance to line up and mix it with the best, particularly this year as we are now a part of the OneAsia Series,” said Max Garske, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

“Our members at all levels are getting more and varied opportunities to play in big events and we are delighted to be able to provide this added incentive and opportunity for our members.”

The national title for PGA vocational (club based & industry) members will be held at Sandhurst for the first time from September 14-18 and pits 50 of Australia’s best club professionals against each other to battle for a prize purse of $AUS60,000 over three rounds (54 holes).

After qualifying events were held in July in Queensland followed by other state qualifying events in August, the field is now determined and will be led by last year’s Club Pro Champion Bryan Roach.

Roach returns to defend the crown he won for the first time at Twin Waters last year. The 38 year old shot a sizzling 11-under par over two rounds to claim the title by two shots from New South Welshman Graeme Stockley with Queenslander Lee Hunt coming in third.

Featuring this year are 2009 State Qualifying Champions David Gammon from Kogarah Golf Club in NSW, Jason Russell from Launceston Golf Club in Tasmania, Michael Sprengel from Kooyonga Golf Club in South Australia, Russell Smith from Jindalee Golf Club in Queensland,  local talent Alex Tahin from Eastern Golf Club in Victoria and Tony Mills from Wembley Golf Complex in WA.  

For 38 year old Mills, who spends the majority of his week teaching whilst working on his own game, the chance to line up at Coolum in December is enough to get him fired up for next week’s event. A former touring professional from 1993-2001 Mills never played the Australian PGA Championship and is using that unfulfilled ambition as an added incentive.

“I’ve just started to play well recently and am feeling a lot more confident in my game so I am really looking forward to next week. It will be my first PGA Pros Final and it’s always been a goal of mine to win the national title,” said Mills. “Now that I know the Australian PGA Championship spots are up for grabs its even greater reason for me to fulfill another goal I always had.”

The 2009 PGA Professionals Championship is proudly supported by three presenting sponsors in Coca-Cola, Club Car and Acushnet (with brands Titleist, Footjoy and Cobra).

AUSTRALIA’S richest event for senior golfers, the $300,000 Handa Australian Senior Open will move to Perth for the first time this October.

After two years at Concord Golf Club in Sydney, the prestigious event is expected to attract a field of 100 “Legends” of international golf – including senior newbie Peter Senior - to Royal Perth Golf Club in South Perth from 23-25 October.

Senior qualified when he turned 50 recently and he will be joined in the 54 hole event by an impressive line-up including Wayne Grady, Peter Fowler, Rodger Davis, Terry Gale, Michael Clayton, Michael Harwood, Brian Jones and Ossie Moore.

Sponsor and founder, Japanese businessman and philanthropist Haruhisa Handa, said he was thrilled to have the event played in Perth, in addition to the Handa Open and Handa Junior Masters tournament held at The Vines earlier this May.

“It was a perfect fit to bring the Senior Open event to Perth, giving golf fans access to the two highest profile senior events on the Australian golfing calendar,” Dr Handa said.

“I am passionate about nurturing senior golf both in Australia and internationally where it has not always enjoyed the opportunity it deserves.”

“I am committed to ensuring that both of these senior events have a long and prosperous future showcasing the talents of some of the greatest male and female golfers ever to play the game.”

Dr Handa is also a generous supporter and avid campaigner for Blind Golf globally and locally in Australia. Along with the two senior events, Dr Handa will also once again sponsor the Australian Blind Golf Championship in Perth to be played before the Handa Australia Cup on 28-29 October.

A first for Peter Senior

This year’s Handa Australian Senior Open will mark Peter Senior’s first official outing in the Legends Tour.

“Peter’s form is particularly good and I know he’s looking forward to taking on two-time Australian Senior Open Champion Wayne Grady on Australian soil,” said Tournament Chairman Wayne Smith.

“It will also mark Peter Fowler’s Australian ‘Senior’ debut after joining the Legend ranks in June this year.”

The Handa Australian Senior Open will be followed by a Pro-Am on Monday, 26 October.

Peter’s Debut Australian Senior Open Championship 

Harwood takes the candy in classic finish

THE PGA OF AUSTRALIA has joined forces with the PGA’s of the US, Great Britain and Ireland to establish a new international alliance aimed at growing golf globally.

The organisation announced today it had entered into a new World PGA Alliance it said was a significant step for world golf

The World PGA Alliance will work to further promote the interests of the 56,000 PGA Professionals and more than 22,000 PGA member golf facilities worldwide.

Born from the third annual World PGA Conference conducted in Sydney in April 2008, the alliance has been formed to establish and guide teaching, playing and educational standards for the golf profession in developing golf territories and shared best practices in player development for adults and youth.

The alliance is led by the chief executives of The PGA’s of Australia, America and Great Britain & Ireland, while the PGA’s of Canada, Europe, Germany, Japan, South Africa, and Sweden are also alliance members.

“The PGA of Australia is proud to be part of the World PGA Alliance and join forces with its international colleagues in the interest of PGA members globally,” said Max Garske, CEO of the PGA of Australia. 

“This alliance will open up significant opportunities for PGA members both in Australia and internationally, and will act as a catalyst for the establishment of many more significant global golf industry initiatives into the future.”

Speaking at the launch of the announcement from the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Golf Club in Michigan, Jim Remy, President of the PGA of America said the Alliance is a significant step for world golf.

“The PGA of America is proud to join its global colleagues in golf in forming the World PGA Alliance, which is an outgrowth of the universal respect that the game of golf holds across cultural and language barriers,” said Remy.

“The Alliance is vital to the continued growth of the game and business of golf in emerging golf territories and will reinforce the numerous roles fulfilled by the PGA Professionals in instruction, player development and the business of golf.”

Also in attendance at the launch of the alliance, Geoff Scott, Chairman of the PGA of Australia added, “the PGA of Australia is the most recognisable and respected golf brand in the rapidly expanding Asia-Pacific region, and is recognised as an industry leader that delivers the highest standards across all its programs.”

“The establishment of the World PGA Alliance aligns the PGA of Australia with two other immensely powerful entities, further enhancing the value of PGA brand while simultaneously increasing opportunities for PGA Members globally.”

The first formal meeting of the new Alliance will be held during the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida and will include a global symposium on junior golf.

THE PGA of Australia is trumpeting new official figures it says show a significant increase in the latest golf participation rates.

The figures, released as part of the Australian Sports Commission’s annual Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS), rank golf as the most popular club-based activity for 2008.

The PGA says total golf participation increased in 2008 by more than 260,000 - an incredible 29% increase from 2007.

“With every year that passes more and more Australians are realising both the health and social benefits derived from visiting their local golf course,” said Max Garske, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

“Through our vast network of PGA members across Australia and around the word the PGA’s mission is to promote the game of golf to the masses- and we are extremely pleased to see that over 1.1 million Australian’s enjoyed a round of golf during 2008.”

With a total participation rate of 1,181,100 throughout 2008, golf topped tennis, football and netball on the list of the most popular club-based physical activities for Australians.

Golf also ranked second on the ERASS Top Ten Organised Physical Activities list behind only aerobics/ fitness.

The PGA said for the first time golf has eclipsed the total participation of tennis since the 2002 ERASS survey period.

“Golf is an accessible sport that can be played by all Australians regardless of age, sex, socio-economic background or skill level and the latest ERASS results demonstrate this,” added Garske.  

While the 2008 figures are indeed satisfying for the PGA and the entire Australian Golf Industry, Garske says he wouldn’t be surprised if participation numbers were to jump even higher at the conclusion of the 2009 survey period.

“Many of our PGA Members servicing local golf clubs and growing the game have indicated that rounds of golf have been on the increase in the last few months,” he said.

“Typically the biggest concern for golfers is not finding enough time to play a few holes on a regular basis. But the current economic situation has created more leisure time for many Australians.”

“Traditionally as the unemployment rate rises, so to does demand for tee times.”

Garske said the PGA in cooperation with the entire Australian Golf Industry are working on several initiatives to facilitate further increases in golf participation, including the launch of a new national junior golf program, Pumpgolf, made possible by the PGA’s partnership with Coca-Cola Amatil.

Whilst the full ERASS report does point to some significant gains for golf in recent years, looking at the overall statistics since 2001 is not as positive. While golf had an overall decline in participation of 5 percent since 2001, tennis was down a massive 19 percent overall. (The reason we haven’t highlighted golf “overtaking” tennis here.)

Another issue to consider with the report we believe is how well golf compares to some overall “more popular” activities such as “non organised” “walking” and “swimming”.

There’s a big difference in personal commitment and input when you consider popping out for a walk or taking a dip compared to organising yourself (and maybe others) for 18 holes of golf.

The full ERASS 2008 report is here.

AUSTRALIAN senior pro golfers Mike Harwood and David Merriman have received late invitations to the 70th US Senior PGA Championship being played at the Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland Ohio this week.

They will join fellow Australians Greg Norman and 1990 US PGA champion Wayne Grady in a field including defending champion, American Jay Haas.

The championship, for golfers aged 50 and over, features 25 major champions, 13 Ryder Cup captains and 10 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

According to Peter Stone in the Sun Herald, Harwood and Merriman were on there way home for a three week break from the European Seniors Tour when they checked their mobile phones during a brief stopover in Hong Kong.

They discovered text messages informing them of the invitations.

According to Stone the PGA of America has no set criteria for its invitations, and neither Harwood nor Merriman knows why they were invited.

Stone says in Harwood’s case, it is possible he made the list because he is in his first year as a senior and did win the British PGA title in 1990.

Merriman, a former Sydney cub pro who did not become a touring professional until he joined the seniors in 2007, flew out yesterday for the US.

“I’m just so excited,” Merriman is reported as saying about playing his first tournament in the US. “It’s awesome, I’m absolutely over the moon. It’s dream come true.

“I’m told each player gets a Mercedes for the week and that we’re treated like kings. I would never have believed it.”

Harwood currently leads the Australian PGA Legends Tour Order of Merit.

The PGA of Australia has come out swinging at suggestions the sport in Australia is in disarray and that interest in golf is declining.

PGA of Australia chief executive Max Garske says reported unflattering comparisons with the Greg Norman era are misleading.

His statements follow the release of the 208 Sweeney Sports Report and some related media commentary.

Garske disputed the Sweeney report’s findings that golf “suffered most” over the last 12 months with claimed “record lows” in relation to participation and television viewing.

“The Sweeney Report and the consequential media commentary have painted a flawed and potentially damaging picture of the Australian Golf Industry,” Garske said in a statement.

Among the report findings were that the proportion of people who watch golf on TV had dropped to 19 per cent, down from a peak of 42 per cent in 1990-91 - when Norman was the No.1 player in the world.

It also said overall public interest in the game was at an all-time low of 23 per cent, down from last year’s 31 per cent, and the proportion of Australians who said they played golf, 14 per cent, was the survey’s lowest ever.

“Australian golf is constantly compared to the time when Greg Norman was at the peak of his game,” Garske said.

“The sports and media landscape of the 1990s bears little resemblance today.

“Consider this. Of Greg Norman’s 20 international victories only two were shown live on Australian TV compared to all 87 of Tiger Woods’ victories being beamed into Australian homes.

“People consume their golf interest in different ways today and their ability to consume it when and how they like is virtually unlimited.

“It is misleading to compare a domestic free to air audience of 2008 to one in 1990.”

The PGA produced its own statistics, from a number of sources, including that:

• The Australian Government’s Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) found that over 1.13 million Australians play golf each year. This is around 7 percent of the total population aged over 15 years
• Between 2001 and 2006, golf remained second on the ERASS Top Ten organised sport activities list, behind only aerobics/fitness and ahead of netball, tennis, all football codes, cricket, basketball and lawn bowls
• The Australian Golf Industry directly employs over 23,000 people and has an annual economic value to the Australian GDP of $2.7 billion - by far the greatest sport/industry contributor to the Australian economy (source: Ernst & Young (2006))
• Australia currently has over 100 male PGA professional’s playing on international golf circuits, including 24 on the US PGA TOUR, which includes 12 ranked in the Top 100 Official World Golf Rankings and two, Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott, in the top five (source: Official World Golf Rankings as of 29 June 2008)
• Australia currently has 30 female Professionals playing on international circuits, including 10 in the Top 200 Rolex Rankings with Karrie Webb at World Number 5 (source: Women’s World Golf Rankings as of 30 June 2008)
• Over 39 percent of all golfers maintain golf club membership (source: Golf Australia, 2008)
• In 2006/07 over 31,000,000 rounds of golf were played - a steady result over the past three years (source: Golf Australia, 2008)
• In 2007 over 1,535,000 dozen golf balls were sold in Australia compared to 1,472,000 dozen in 2004 (source: Aust. Sporting Goods Assn (ASGA) Golf Surveys 2001-07)
• Total wholesale sales of all golf equipment in Australia increased by nearly $20 million between 2001 and 2007 to $166.6 million (source: ASGA Golf Surveys 2001-07)

 Garske pointed to the amalgamation of golf governing bodies in this country in recent years to answer criticism that the game is too fragmented.

And he suggested some media reports read too much into problems finding financial backing for some major tournaments in Australia.

“By itself, a golf tournament in Australia without a naming rights sponsor is not the sole barometer of popularity, support or interest in golf here,” he said.

“It is evident from broader analysis that the state of the Australian golf industry is far from dire. Never in history has the industry worked so closely together in an effort to develop the game at every level and, contrary to recent speculation, we are extremely confident of a promising future.”

 See the full PGA statement here