19/12/06
Perth has won the right to host the prestigious international women's golf event, the Lexus Cup, in 2007.
Tourism Minister Sheila McHale today announced Perth had won the rights to host the event, which is expected to attract many of the world's leading female golfers.
"This is a fantastic achievement for Perth and Western Australia," Ms McHale said.
"The Lexus Cup will join the Johnnie Walker Classic as a major tourism and sporting draw card and one of the golfing highlights on the State's events calendar."
The Minister said the event would be held at The Vines Resort and Country Club in December 2007 and WA had secured the first option to host it again in 2010 and 2013.
"Three days of live television broadcast will showcase WA to some of our key tourism markets in Japan, China, and Korea," she said.
"It will also be televised in the UK, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA.
"For an investment of $550,000 into the Lexus Cup, we expect to receive media exposure worth millions, as well as a boost to the local economy of at least $1million."
Ms McHale said the new event would follow a team match format, similar to the Ryder Cup, fostering the development of top-level women's golf.
"The inaugural Lexus Cup was held in December 2005 in Singapore and attracted players such as world number one Annika Sorenstam from Sweden, and Grace Park from Korea," she said.
"Because the Lexus Cup will be hosted at The Vines, a public golf course, visitors and local golfers will be able to play the same course as their golfing heroes."
Vice president marketing planning division, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific, Vince Socco, said it was time for golf fans outside Singapore to experience the Lexus Cup.
"Perth is a natural choice as it is a top tourist destination which has some of the best courses in the world," Mr Socco said.
Martin Jolly, senior vice president and managing director for IMG Asia Pacific, said the event would see leading international women players compete against top Asian players.
"We have high hopes for the event continuing to grow in stature and to take its place among the other great international golf team events," Mr Jolly said.
"We are sure Australia, as the next host country, will be an integral part of that growth and we look forward to working with Tourism WA on Lexus Cup 2007."
Lexus Cup Background Facts:
About The Lexus Cup
The Lexus Cup is a prestigious LPGA Tour-sanctioned ladies team event pitting 12 international players against 12 leading players from Asia. Lexus Cup 2007 will take place in Perth, Australia. Team members are selected based on their rankings and season earnings, including two captain's picks and two sponsor's exemptions.
About Lexus
Lexus belongs to the global Toyota family. Lexus has become synonymous with luxury, quality and innovative engineering since its introduction in 1989.
About IMG
IMG is the world's premier Sports, Entertainment and Media Company. IMG is a diversified global business with two major business segments: IMG Sports and Entertainment, and IMG Media. IMG employs more than 2,300 people in 30 countries. Forstmann Little and Co purchased IMG in 2004.
About the LPGA
Featuring the world's best women golfers, the LPGA's membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2006 features 35 events, with total prize money of more than $50million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $170million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world's pre-eminent women's professional sports organisation.
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