2009 Presidents Cup tees off ahead of Melbourne 2011
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8 October 2009
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The Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Presidents Cup golf tournament was recently held in San Francisco, where Premier Brumby discussed Melbourne’s preparations for the 2011 Presidents Cup and Victoria’s evolution as an international golfing destination.
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Premier Brumby joined former US President George Bush Senior, Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newson and golfing greats Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott, and Robert Allenby on stage to officially mark the opening of one of golf’s most prestigious and eagerly anticipated biennial events.
“The Presidents Cup is one of the world’s great sporting events and provides a meeting point for Heads of State, industry leaders and the international golfing world, and is watched by millions of people globally,” Mr Brumby said.
“This event is one of the jewels in golf’s crown and I am delighted that Melbourne will once again host this event in 2011, the first time any city outside of America has been given this honour of hosting the event a second time.”
Mr Brumby said the event would help strengthen Melbourne’s reputation as the golf events capital of Australia as well as one of the world’s great golfing tourism destinations.
“In 1998, The Presidents Cup generated $11 million in economic benefit and the 2011 event is expected to attract between 5000 and 6000 visitors and generate over $16 million in economic benefit for Victoria,” he said.
The 2011 event will build on the success of Tiger Woods and Geoff Ogilvy appearing at the 2009 JBWere Masters being held in November at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club, which has already sold out.
An interactive display at the Presidents Cup in San Francisco will feature Melbourne’s sandbelt and the Royal Melbourne Golf Course, as well regional Victorian highlights, including the Great Ocean Road and the Yarra Valley. |
