THE second Fiji International Golf Tournament at the Natadola Bay Championship Course will be held in October next year with anticipation of attracting a bigger field.
This year’s inaugural event was held in August which restricted the field because of the daylight hours.
The dates for 2015 event were released at the Holiday Inn in Suva on Wednesday.
CEO of the PGA of Australia Brian Thorburn said the October date should significantly provide increased benefits for all stakeholders.
“October is a more suitable month in terms of world golf schedules, as all majors are complete and many tours are slowing down or just getting started for new season,” Thorburn said.
“It is also early in the PGA Tour of Australasia summer of golf and broadcasting Fiji is a fantastic way to start the televised events.
“In addition, the 2015 Fiji International will be held the week after The Presidents Cup in Korea, where 24 of the world’s top ranked players will be competing and we will endeavour to have one or two of them playing in Fiji.”
On the back of a successful inaugural Fiji International tournament in August, the PGA of Australia and tournament promoters Sports and Entertainment Ltd (SEL) are now set to capitalise on the interest generated by the inaugural event to maximise promotion opportunities both domestically and internationally.
SEL managing director Basil Scaffidi said the world now knew that Fiji was a genuine golfing destination.
“Golf tourism has the proven ability to attract a broad range of markets from golfing holiday, conferences, events and incentive groups,” Scaffidi said.
The second Fiji International golf tournament will be held from October 15-18.
