21/10/00
Tourism Minister Norman Moore said today that EventsCorp was negotiating with the International Management Group to host a new international golf event in Perth.
IMG is one of the world’s biggest sports promoters.
It proposes to underwrite and manage all operational aspects of the event.
Mr Moore said that the event would be one of Australia's top tournaments.
However, he stressed that contracts were yet to be finalised.
The tournament had received date sanctioning for five years.
If negotiations were successful, the tournament would start in 2001, with an additional five-year option.
It would be held in Week 46 of the ANZ Tour, preceding the Holden Australian Open.
The inaugural event would be held from November 15-18, 2001.
The name of the tournament will not be confirmed until a naming-rights sponsor has been secured by IMG.
Mr Moore said the positioning of the tournament would be conducive to attracting some of the world's top golfers to compete in the event.
"Being included on the ANZ Tour and positioned on the schedule just prior to the Holden Australian Open will mean that Western Australians will see world-class golf in Perth for at least the next five years,” he said.
"I am confident that if negotiations are successful, this event will develop into one of Australia's greatest golfing tournaments, and will certainly keep our State at the forefront of golf tourism."
Mr Moore said the new tournament would be kept in the State, as the date on the ANZ Tour calendar was sanctioned to the State Government and IMG had agreed to this arrangement.
IMG Australasia Managing Director Martin Jolly said the company was looking forward to creating a golfing event for Perth.
"Perth is a fantastic venue for international events, with its weather, lifestyle and history of hosting major events,” he said
PGA Tour Australasia Executive Director Arthur Sanderson believed that the creation of this event would enhance the ANZ Tour.
"The 46th week of the ANZ Tour is a very good position and has the potential to attract high profile players to attend,” he said.
"The ANZ Tour looks forward to working with EventsCorp and IMG in building this event into a new world-class tournament for Perth."
The event will be a highlight of the 2001 Best on Earth in Perth event calendar, a showcase of international sporting and cultural events taking place in Western Australia.
Media contact:
Hartley Joynt, Minister’s office, 9321 1444 or Janine Carter, EventsCorp, 9270 3311
