Golf industry sees continued growth across Australia in 2015

THE Australian golf industry had some welcome end of year news with the latest figures showing continued growth in golf participation.

According to an Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) report released late December the number of competition rounds continued to grow.

For the period of July 2015 to September 2015, a 3.6 per cent increase in competition rounds were recorded across all states except South Australia; statistics that are consistent with the growth recorded across the same three month period in 2014.

“These figures are very encouraging. To see more Australians engaging in competition rounds at their club drives national participation and helps golf in this country thrive,” said Brian Thorburn, Chairman of the AGIC and CEO of the PGA of Australia.

“Australia offers world class golf courses, competitions and programs that go head-to-head with the best in the world and to see an increase in the number of Australians playing and enjoying golf is fantastic.”

West Australia lead the way as the best performing state recording growth of 13.4 per cent, followed by Tasmania with a 12.8 per cent increase. These results come off the back of an up and down first half of the year with soft weather driven outcomes in April and May.

Year to date figures show a steady increase of 2.4 per cent compared to the same time last year, with metropolitan areas continuing to record growth over regional areas, with a 4.6 per cent increase .

Demographically, males continued to be the most active with a growth of 2.6 per cent, while female participation grew by 1.5 per cent nationally.

Competition rounds are defined as a single handicapped round only and exclude rounds played in non-handicapped events and rounds played at public facilities.

Established in 2006, the AGIC brings together representatives from the major golf industry bodies and works as one to promote golf and industry wide initiatives.

Members of the AGIC include the Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association, Australian Ladies Professional Golf, Australian Sporting Goods Association, Golf Australia, Golf Management Australia, PGA of Australia and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects.