South Australia to Host Second World Schools Golf Tournament

Top young golfing talent from around the world will be on show in Australia for the first time, with confirmation that the next World Schools Golf Challenge will be staged in Adelaide.

Following the inaugural World Schools Golf Challenge held in Christchurch, New Zealand, the second WSGC will be hosted in the state of South Australia by four Adelaide golf clubs from April 13-17, 2009.

The tournament is a four-round stroke play event with team and individual gross and nett competitions. The four person teams can be boys, girls or mixed and aged from 13 to 19. Organisers expect to attract at least 80 teams from secondary schools in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Asia, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as from throughout Australia. As in Christchurch a significant number of parents and supporters are expected to accompany the teams.

The tournament was conceived by Vintage Sport & Leisure Limited, an Auckland-based company under the direction of long-time golf promoter and organiser Paul Gleeson. The tournament team includes VSL personnel and Adelaide college golf coaches. Mr Gleeson says the event is designed to assist young college golfers around the world to develop their skills on new courses and in an environment of friendly competition with their peers from other countries. “The beauty of this unique event is that entry is not limited to one school per country or elite school golfers – any school can enter and there is no limit to the number of teams that a single school can enter. There is no other international team event with an individual element for middle to higher handicap college golfers - which makes the World Schools Golf Challenge a unique, once in a life-time experience for high school golfers, their coaches, teachers and families” he said.

The event has the strong support of the South Australian Tourism Commission.

Andrew McEvoy, Chief Executive, South Australian Tourism Commission said the World Schools Golf Challenge is another event asset for South Australia which already has a huge reputation as a centre of golfing excellence in Australia.
“It’s not by chance that South Australia continues to attract some of Australia’s most prestigious major events. With a vast experience in world class events and a city centre in close proximity to attractions and regions, Adelaide is a perfect location for this unique golfing event” he said.
“City of Adelaide Golf Links, Riverside Golf Club, Flagstaff Hill Golf Club and the Patawalonga course at Adelaide Shores Golf Park will host the tournament which is expected to provide a boost to the local economy and to our reputation as a golf-friendly destination”.
Marketing for the event is almost underway and the organisers report strong early interest especially from the schools who contested the first tournament.

The week’s activities will include an official opening ceremony and a welcome dinner. The tournament will begin on April 14, with rounds on four successive days.

A comprehensive sightseeing, educational and social programme will be put in place for all participants and their supporters. The programme will conclude with the finale prizegiving function for all the teams.

Contact:

Paul Gleeson
64(9)5349398

Roger Carroll
64(9)4255294

Les Penley
61(41)980 6129