Brett Rumford winner of five European tours on the driving range at Royal Perth Golf Club. Brett will be competing with other international hopefuls in February.
By Gianfranco Di Giovanni
Perth will play host to some of the world’s best golfers with the relaunch of the Perth International golf tournament offering $1.75 million in prizes.
The event was previously held in October but has moved to February to take advantage of the favourable weather and will be played at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club.
Unlike other golfing tournaments in Australia, this event is tri-sanctioned by the PGA, European and Asian Tours which means international golfers can compete for championship points in their respective competitions.
Brett Rumford, a golfer from Perth who has won five European tour events, said the event is much needed in Western Australia.
“We’ve always needed golf tournaments here, being so far away from the action,” said Rumford.
“The main Australasian events are on the eastern seaboard, and it’s great that the event (Perth International) is co-sanctioned with the European events because it brings a different flavour.”
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Gary Thomas is chief executive of the peak amateur golfing body GolfWA and said spectators will be excited for a chance to see some of the world’s best play in their backyard.
“Having not had an event at all this year of that international standing, I’m sure the public of Perth are looking forward to being able to see a high quality event,” said Thomas.
“That’s part of the benefit of Perth International, we’ve got some fabulous golf courses not just in metropolitan Perth but down in the southwest we’ve got some outstanding courses inland and with the value of the Australian dollar it’s looking more attractive.“
Fans looking to get a taste of golf before next year’s Perth International can watch the WA Open in November which will include a mix of professional players and the state’s best amateurs.