Heineken Classic to be staged in Western Australia for a further four years

2/12/97

Premier Richard Court has today announced that the Heineken Classic, Australia's richest golf tournament, will be staged in Western Australia for a further four years.

Mr Court said there had been speculation that the event may have been 'moving' to the Eastern States. However, the classic would remain a top drawcard on Western Australia's sporting calendar.

"Since its inception in 1993, the Heineken Classic has always attracted the cream of professional golf - Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, John Daly and Robert Allenby to name a few," Mr Court said.

"The tournament not only provides a chance for Western Australians to see world-class golf first-hand, it also attracts immense interest overseas and once again focusses the valuable international spotlight on our great State."

Mr Court said the event was broadcast to more than 70 countries and received extensive coverage in Western Australia's seven priority markets - the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

"The televised coverage includes video postcards of WA tourism destinations - giving viewers around the world a chance to see some of our unique attractions," he said.

"Through this worldwide exposure, the Heineken Classic is an important tool for our tourism industry and is an extremely effective means of promoting our State to the world."

In addition to the four year extension, Heineken Classic tournament director Tony Roosenburg today also announced that the prize money for the event would be increased by $100,000 to $1.4 million.

Mr Roosenburg also announced the inclusion of Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal in the top-class line-up.

Mr Roosenburg said the decision to keep the event in Perth was a case of 'never change a winning formula'.

"The Vines Resort, the people of Perth and the support of Eventscorp have all contributed greatly to the success of the Heineken Classic over the past five years and although the negotiations were rigorous, it has all been worth it in the end," Mr Roosenburg said.

The 1998 Heineken Classic is being held at the Vines Resort from January 29 to February 1 next year.

Media contact: Casey Cahill 9222 9475

Premier Richard Court (left) and Tony Roosenburg, Tournament Director, at the announcement that the Heineken Classic will remain in Perth until at least 2002.

Premier Richard Court announces that Australia's richest golf tournament, the Heineken Classic, will be staged in Perth for another four years.