LIV Golf’s striking debut in Adelaide interests New South Wales for future hostings
LIV Golf's Australian debut draws huge crowds and opens up possibility for future events
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LIV Golf Adelaide ( Image via LIV Golf )
LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit, made its much-anticipated debut in Australia on April 21, with a total of 12 teams and 48 players participating in the event. The tournament was held at the picturesque Grange Golf Course in Adelaide, with an estimated 20,000 spectators expected to attend over three days.
This was the fourth event of the 2023 LIV Golf League season, with previous tournaments taking place in Mexico, Tucson, and Orlando. The course at Grange Golf Course, which is situated close to the ocean and not far from central Adelaide, is a huge challenge to competitors with its play distance of 6,840 yards.
Interestingly, the LIV Golf Commissioner and Australian legend, Greg Norman, recently redesigned this course, which has a unique par three 12th hole (also known as the ‘Watering Hole’) that has been the talk of the town, dividing golf enthusiasts into two factions: those who love it and those who do not.
New South Wales vies to host LIV Golf events after Adelaide success
Despite previous criticism over its ability to draw crowds that match those of its PGA Tour rivals, the LIV Golf’s event in Adelaide managed to make a resounding impact. Fans were seen lining up in deep queues two hours before the start of play, eager to grab a piece of merchandise, while tickets for all three days sold out in no time.
Interestingly, 40% of fans traveled from outside of South Australia to be a part of the event and watch Cameron Smith and other LIV golfers give their best. The lively atmosphere at the Grange Golf Club also caught the eye, with the event successfully showcasing the future of golf in Australia.
According to Daily Mail, the inaugural event was such a success that it caught the attention of other states. According to The Age, New South Wales is now ready to pitch in to host another LIV Golf event in the future.
Golf NSW Chairman, Michael Medway, was full of praise, saying, “This is the future of golf in Australia, and the format of golf in Australia needs to learn from the success of the LIV event in Adelaide, and consider change with spectators in mind as a key pillar in the national strategy.”
The final decision will be based on whether venues have the capacity to accommodate large crowds, given that Adelaide hosted a massive 63,000 spectators over three days. Additionally, it is believed that Cam Smith’s influence could play a significant role in deciding the next event’s location, with the possibility of it being held on the Gold Coast.
Fans flocked to the Grange Golf Course to watch some of the finest golfers in the world compete, making the LIV Golf League’s Australian debut a stunning accomplishment. The par three 12th hole stood out as a “party hole” for the spectators.
The course proved to be a tough challenge for the participants. The tournament’s success has increased the likelihood that LIV Golf will visit Australia again in the future, and New South Wales is ready to host the event. Where the next competition will be held is still up in the air, but one thing is for sure: LIV Golf has solidified its position as a key force in the game.
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Rohit Jambhulkar
(1239 Articles Published)