Coast welcomes PGA Championship
Fri 05 November 2010
Annalise Fleming, Bachelor of Public Relations, Journalism Major
The Sunshine Coast was bracing for the positive impacts of the annual PGA Championship at the Hyatt Regency Coolum in December.
On December 9-12, 2010, the Sunshine Coast was to be widely promoted while 210 male golfers competed for the Joe Kirkwood Cup and a prize pool of $1.5 million.
The PGA announced players Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, John Daly and reigning champion Robert Allenby would be attending the event.
Australasian touring professional Tony Carolan said 
the course and event was widely loved among the touring professionals and their families.
“It has been my home club for a long time, I love playing here and practicing here,” Mr Carolan said.
“I personally know every member on the Australian tour and this is their favourite event place, hands down, every year they talk about coming to Coolum because they love this place.
“Most of the players now have families and this is such a great place to bring the kids.”
The PGA helped promote the region with live coverage on OneAsia’s television platform for four hours a day everyday throughout the tournament.
OneAsia’s television platform was broadcasted to over 260 million homes in more than 40 countries.
This coverage provided the region with the opportunity to showcase the area and promote local tourism to an international audience.
“We get some top players here and those stories go all over the world, so if someone has forgotten about the Sunshine Coast it’s easy to jolt their memory,” Mr Carolan said.
The PGA Australia, Tourism Queensland and Queensland Events worked collectively to help promote and support the coast’s tourism industry.
One initiative was the ‘Tee it up with Adam Scott in Queensland Australia’ competition by Tourism Queensland and US travel wholesaler Springboard Vacations.
One avid American golfer was due to travel with Mr Scott to the Sunshine Coast and compete in the PGA Pro Am event at the Hyatt Regency Coolum this year.
Cr Lew Brennan told council the sponsorship for the PGA Championship event resulted in significant returns for the coast economy, contributing to an excess of $10 million and attendance of just over 48,000 spectators yearly for the past two years.
The Sunshine Coast Regional Council reported that there were 710,000 interstate visitors and 280,000 international visitors to the region in year ending June, 2010.
Tourism Queensland’s regional snapshot for June, 2010, showed since 2009 international expenditure had increased by 12 per cent to $230 million.
This illustrated the significance of the tourism industry on the Sunshine Coast, and the economic value holding the PGA Championship event had on the region.
Sunshine Coast Council’s major events coordinator Peter Egan said as well as providing significant economic benefits, the PGA also provided many opportunities for the community.
“It has a great impact for the local community and it gives them the opportunity to watch international athletes compete,” Mr Egan said.
“There is also a Pathway to the PGA Program where 13 schools across the Coast participate in a golf learning program.”
Mr Egan said that opportunities such as this and the event’s PGA Kids Zone were only a part of how the PGA gives back to the community.
The Pathways to the PGA Program sponsored by Pump Golf teamed up local junior golfers from schools across the Coast with leading PGA teaching professionals.
PGA golf teaching professional at the Hyatt Regency Coolum Greg Cusack said that the program offered interactive golf education for local juniors.
“It introduces golf to students and gets them involved…All children that participate receive free tickets to attend the tournament plus prizes for the best schools,” Mr Cusack said.
“What better time to try it out but in amongst one of the oldest and most prestigious events that this country has to offer.
“The PGA is one of the things that separates the golf course from others in Queensland.
“It affects the Sunshine Coast and Queensland golf, because it is the only place you can view players competing at an international level in Queensland.”
The tournament had become more than just another golfing event for the players on tour, with many taking the opportunity to enjoy the coast with family and friends.
“Traditionally the PGA moved yearly and the reason it stayed at the Hyatt because of its huge success and the players wanted to return to the course,” Mr Cusack said.
“A lot of the players enjoy Coolum so much they stay a week or two before and after with their family, friends and entourage at the resort.”
Image(s) designed by Annalise Fleming