Did you know that 3.8 million Aussies played golf in some form last year? Or that new adult golfers who started playing in the last two years are aged, on average, 36, which is a drop of ten years? How about that new players are now 49 per cent women? Yep, in case you hadn't realised, golf is having a moment.
These stats are why we anticipate this year's ISPS Handa Australian Open – aka the oldest and most prestigious golf tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia – to be the most exciting one yet. The action takes place from November 28 to December 1 at two world-class courses on the Melbourne sandbelt: Kingston Heath and the Victoria Golf Club. It's here that top-ranked players like Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Minjee Lee and Ashleigh Buhai will take to the green in an attempt to be crowned the 2024 winner.
But away from the bunkers, fairway and the teeing area, there's action of a different kind taking place – and it's set to appeal to the die-hard golfing afficianados as well as any newbies to the scene. The 19th fan hub is where live entertainment, gourmet food offerings and fun activations come to life.
A bunch of beloved local restaurants will be on-site cooking up a feast, including 400 Gradi and Mr Miyagi, while the drinks will be flowing courtesy of Peroni, Isla Vodka the Liqourland Lounge. Taking to the main stage across the weekend will be renowned DJ John Course and Hot Dub Time Machine, and the kids are sure to go crazy when Bluey and Bingo make an appearance.
There will also be plenty of picnic tables, umbrellas and bean bags, plus a dedicated kids activation zone with mini golf, AI simulators and inflatables. And to ensure you stay across all the birdies, pars and eagles, giant screens will be showing every moment from the course live.
For more information on the ISPS Handa Australian Open and to purchase tickets, head to the website.
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