Australian PGA Championship leaves Queensland after 25 years
After five years as host, Royal Queensland looks ahead to the 2032 Olympics – The Party hole – image Bruce Young
After 25 consecutive stagings of the Australian PGA Championship in Queensland, the event returns to Sydney for the first time since 1998, when one of Australia’s flagship golf events is played at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney from November 26th to 29th.
Moving to Queensland from the Victoria Golf Club in 2000, the event was played for two years at Royal Queensland before heading to the Hyatt Regency Coolum in 2002, where it remained until a dispute with the new owner meant a move to Royal Pines in 2013.
Covid forced the cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021, but in 2022, Royal Queensland would begin a five-year run as the host of the event. But with course upgrading now being undertaken for its role as the host venue for the 2032 Olympics a new venue was sought and the Lakes was chosen.
The growth of the event in recent years ensured the venue would need to be one capable of staging significant corporate involvement, and The Lakes, which has been used in the past for Australian Opens, Australian PGA Championships and the Greg Norman Holden Classic, has proven facilities and room for such an event.
It will, however, mean a loss of one of Australia’s flagship golf events to Queensland after a run which has seen some of Australia’s finest golfing sons take the title while in the Sunshine State, including Cameron Smith and Peter Lonard (three times) Adam Scott (twice), Peter Senior (twice) and Geoff Ogilvy.
It remains to be seen whether another significant PGA Tour of Australasia professional event in Queensland can be introduced to the schedule although with Sanctuary Cove now the home of the Women’s PGA Championship, Palmer Coolum unlikely to be involved, Royal Queensland out of commission while upgrading is undertaken and RACV Royal Pines seemingly not interested, the choices are limited for an event of such substance to be held in the state.
This year’s event will be played the week before the Australian Open at Kingston Heath, where Rory McIlroy will complete his commitment to two consecutive Australian Opens.
The 18th at RACV Royal Pines – host of the event for seven years – image Bruce Young
