It & # 039; s opens season

If you like world-class golf, start making your plans for February.

Operational boss Simon Golfhouse of Golf Australia today confirmed the dates for the Vic Open 2020 on the Bellarine Peninsula and the Australian Open for women in Adelaide.

The groundbreaking Vic Open, the first event in the world in which men and women simultaneously play the same prizes on the same course, returns to the 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads, Victoria from 6-9 February.

The globally respected Women & # 39; s Australian Open, annually the Australasian tournament with the highest ranked players in the world, returns to Royal Adelaide Golf Club from February 13-16 in the second of a three-year deal running on the pristine Adelaide sand belt courses .

And to further improve the growing reputation of both tournaments, Dr. Haruhisa Handa also confirmed that ISPS Handa would return as a sponsor for naming both events.

"The International Sports Promotion Society is excited about the development of both events and our long-term relationship with Golf Australia," said Dr. Handa.

"It is these ties that help us emphasize the power that sport has to inspire and bring us together."

Midori Miyazaki, executive director of ISPS Handa, said: "The impact that these two major tournaments will have on equality in the game will promote the ISPS vision that Dr. Handa is behind with our Golf Australia and LPGA partners."

Brookhouse was extremely proud that ISPS Handa would be the title sponsor of the national championship for the 11th consecutive year and for the second time at the Victorian tournament.

"ISPS Handa and Golf Australia have one of the most lasting relationships you can imagine and we are extremely grateful for the continued support of our protector Dr. Handa, Midori and their staff in spreading their message about social change and the bad of barriers. "

Brookhouse said the tournaments, both expanding and incredibly popular with world-class fields, would once again place Australia at the center of the golf.

"Both tournaments are extremely innovative and as such have won a place on the world golf calendar," he said.

"The partnerships we have with both Victorian and South Australian governments, all co-sanctioning tours, the guest clubs and players themselves make them indispensable entertainment."

The LPGA Tour, which approves both events together with the domestic ALPG, is the ninth consecutive year of joining the national women's championship and the second at the Vic Open.

LPGA CEO Mike Whan was delighted to confirm Australia's growing presence on the tour.

“The ISPS Handa Vic Open is more than a golf tournament – it's an important statement about our game, our tours and our fans. Australia has produced so many incredible male and female golfers, so it is appropriate that Australia organizes this inclusive event, an event that places the best of the game in the same location for the same wallet, "said Mr. Whan.

"The ISPS Women & # 39; s Australian Open is a first stop on the LPGA Tour that has delivered an impressive list of winners over the years. What a great opportunity for our fans to see the best in the world over a period of two weeks.

"Our players and employees enjoy coming to Australia and I know we are all excited to visit both 13th Beach and Royal Adelaide in February."

The European Tour will again jointly punish the men's component of the Vic Open in combination with the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia.

"We watched a lot last year to see how we would deal with four sanctioning bodies over two simultaneous tournaments on 13th Beach, but the way everyone worked together was extremely positive and appropriate to the event," Brookhouse said.

"We are delighted to work together again on all four journeys to continue to push the boundaries of how golf tournaments will develop."

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula welcomed the return of an event that not only adds a drawcard to Victoria's major events calendar, but also levels the playing field.

"This Vic Open is the only golf event in the world where men and women are playing at the same time for the same prize money on the same course and that is something we are immensely proud to support," he said.

"I encourage golf fans to go to Barwon Heads in February to capture two world-class fields that are playing side by side."

David Ridgway, South Australian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment, was delighted to welcome the women's championship back to Adelaide for the fifth consecutive year.

"The return of the Women & # 39; s Australian Open to Royal Adelaide Golf Club in 2020 means that thousands of golf enthusiasts from all over the world will travel to South Australia to see the best female golfers in the world compete for this prestigious title, "Ridgway said.

"The Australian Open of the Ladies fits perfectly with our range of world-class events – this will contribute to the crowds that we see every summer in South Australia and we can't wait to get the world to come again."