Some of the world’s best golfers will vie for more than $2.5million in prize money at the Vines Resort and Country Club next February when the Johnnie Walker Classic returns to Western Australia.
Tourism Minister Sheila McHale today announced that one of Asia’s richest golf events would be held in Perth from February 19 to 22 next year.
“I am really looking forward to the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic,” Ms McHale said.
“Past events have proven very popular and the tournament is a great tourism drawcard.
“WA last hosted the event in 2006, attracting about 40,000 spectators to the Vines Resort and Country Club.
“The event generated $8.7million in direct visitor expenditure for the State’s economy and similar results are expected for next year’s tournament.
“The 2009 event will be broadcast live in Australia and across the globe into all of Tourism WA’s key markets, including Germany, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, China, Japan, North America and the United Kingdom, creating invaluable exposure of WA.”
Tournament executive director Peter German said the Johnnie Walker Classic had established a successful past in Perth thanks to event organisers IMG and Diageo’s close working relationship with Eventscorp.
“All of us at Diageo and IMG can’t wait to come back to Perth and The Vines and working with Eventscorp, who will again play a key role in the management and staging of an event of the stature of the Johnnie Walker Classic,” Mr German said.
“Coming out of a northern hemisphere winter, the excellent WA weather and the quality of the golf course will ensure we attract our customary strong field for what will be the 18th Johnnie Walker Classic.”
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