The Women’s Australian Open is moving to Adelaide

For 2016, and the coming years, the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open will now call Adelaide its home.

The historic move was announced in November by Stephen Pitt, Golf Australia chief executive officer, at what will be next year’s host venue - The Grange Golf Club. At the same time, ISPS Handa was confirmed as the event’s major partner for the seventh successive year.

A move to South Australia

For 2016, The Grange’s West Course will host the LPGA Tour co-sanctioned event from 18th-21st February. Other Adelaide locations will also see more golfing action in the coming years, with Royal Adelaide hosting the 2017 championship in honour of the club’s 125th anniversary and nearby Kooyonga a venue for 2018.

The move to South Australia will put Adelaide front and centre in the global spotlight, showcasing the wonderful golf courses available in the area. Leon Bignell, South Australian Minister for Recreation and Sport and Minister for Tourism, said: “Hosting the Open means we can showcase the state’s premier golf courses, as well as highlight our spectacular tourism assets.

“This is huge news for golf fans and for our visitor economy. The 2016 event alone will deliver an estimated $3.7 million to our visitor economy and will have massive flow-on effect for hotels, taxis, hospitality and small businesses.

“We will also have international media exposure estimated to be worth more than $4.4 million.”

Inspiring local golfers

The LPGA Tour is now played in 15 countries around the world, with the event growing in Australia since it joined partnership with Golf Australia back in 2012.

“We are incredibly excited to bring such a high-profile international event as the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open to Adelaide,” Mr Pitt told Golf Australia. “The South Australian Government, Golf South Australia and the clubs involved have all shown huge interest in bringing the event to Adelaide.

“And with the city not having hosted an elite level golf tournament for a few years, we are thrilled to engage with the entire community here in bringing the world’s best players back to the people of South Australia.”

Karen Lunn, Australian Ladies Professional Golf executive director, is thrilled to have the Open back in Adelaide after a 22-year absence, and praised the event for its potential to inspire local female golfers.

“It’s great for women’s golf in South Australia – which has great past champs including Jane Crafter – to have the world’s best players in their backyard to help inspire the next generation of stars,” she said.