Sponsors line up for South Pacific Export Papua New Guinea Golf Open

This year’s South Pacific Export PNG Golf Open will to date be the biggest international golf event in the South Pacific Region, with over 60 professional golfers confirmed for this year, as compared to last year’s 48.

The event is slated for April 30-May 3 at the Port Moresby Golf Club and has already attracted K185, 000 in sponsorship

SP Brewery general manager Stan Joyce announced this during a sponsors’ night at the Brewkettle in Port Moresby last Friday night.

SP Brewery will be supported by other sponsors including Kina Securities, Steamships Shipping, Brian Bell, Digicel, Daltron, Crowne Plaza, Airlines PNG, C & M Engineering, Pacific MMI, Bank South Pacific, InterOil, March Ltd, PNG Power, Post PNG, Moore Printing, Budget, Coca-Cola, Golf World, PNG Motors, DHL, Insurance Partners/Remington, UMW Niugini, Boroko Motors, ProClean, Guard Dog, Ela Medical Centre, Rydges, BNG Trading, Hertz, Mirupasi Lawyers, Media Partners, Graffiti Signs, Big Rooster and Happy Gardener.

“As the naming rights sponsor, we are excited to be involved with the tournament again and would like to acknowledge the work and commitment which the organisers have put into staging such a massive event,” Joyce said.

“But the organisers cannot do this alone and South Pacific Export Lager, in partnership with all sponsors already on board, all chip in to make the event what it is today.”

Papua New Guinea Golf Association president Stanley Walker said apart from SP Brewery as naming rights sponsor, the tournament had attracted a good number of excellent supporting sponsors at various levels.

“A few holes are left should anyone here not taken up the offer of sponsorship,” he said.

“Not only have you, the sponsors, shown a great interest this year, the professional golfers have similarly responded to the increase prize money of A$100, 000 and also to the standard of organisation of this national open with nominations in excess of 75 received by the PGA for the 60 playing positions available.”

Last month, the PNG Open was one of the four finalists in the Queensland Golf Industry Awards, and finished second to Royal Pines Golf Club.

“Media coverage will be even greater this year, indeed, the organising committee is in discussion with Southern Cross Television Channel Seven, out of Darwin, and we trust that this works out, potentially giving you sponsors even greater coverage,” Walker said.

“As in the past, the presentation to the winner in the professional event will take place on the veryge of the 18^th Green.

“The trophy will be presented by Stan Joyce from SP Brewery adjacent to their hospitality area, with more formal presentation, including the amateur division winners, in the clubhouse later in the evening.”

Over 190 golfers in total, including the defending champion Joshua Carmichael and last year’s runner-up Chris Taylor, are expected to participate.Past winners Troy Kennedy and Chris Downes will also be participating with a host of the region’s top seeded players including Brad Burns, Eddie Barr from Queensland, Heath Reed from Victoria and Richard Gallichan from New South Wales.For only the second time in 15 years, the event will also field two Fijian players, Makesh Chand and Krishna Singh, in the biggest event of the PNG golf calendar.