Watched the telecast and it struck me what a “c” grade field is playing and how boring it is watching so many journeymen or former ageing stars.

The prize money is 1.25 million and the marquee players are Rose and Watson with only one US tour winner this year, Leishmann.

Playing at the same time is the Thailand Open with prize money of only 1 million.

The field their includes – SCHWARTZEL, CHOPRA, GARCIA, Bubba WATSON, COLSAERTS, ISHIKAWA, WESTWOOD, MAHAN, CLARKE and NA.

They have either got bucket loads to pay appearance fees or Golf Australia are an incompetent tournament promoter.

Steady on mate we have Scott and Rose and umm, that’s about it.

I agree with you to an extent…...besides potential appearance coin on offer, Bangkok is a central travel hub and easier to commute in and out of for the pro’s.

Your comments are very valid re the promoter and GA though as I’ve read elsewhere that Els and Rory were offered $1 million to play the Oz Open and they declined.

The problem is that the pros are too pampered and for most the opportunity to win what was the unofficial 5th major doesn’t rate any more…...all about the $$$$, the convenience and their schedule.

Sad state of affairs when the national open does not even carry the largest prize money and is essentially sponsored by club members via affiliation fees.

I found it is extremely boring to watch and Pat Welsh and co can pump it up all they like but it is a truly “c” grade event.

When the biggest news is a caddie punch up you know there is something truly wrong.

I agree with you to an extent……besides potential appearance coin on offer, Bangkok is a central travel hub and easier to commute in and out of for the pro’s.

Your comments are very valid re the promoter and GA though as I’ve read elsewhere that Els and Rory were offered $1 million to play the Oz Open and they declined.

The problem is that the pros are too pampered and for most the opportunity to win what was the unofficial 5th major doesn’t rate any more……all about the $$$$, the convenience and their schedule.

Rory apparently asked for double that after is last major.

Kyle Stanley won on tour this year.

Jeez, hard pressed to want players who have busted their ass all year all over the world to travel 10000 k’s for an event when they really need a rest.

I commend those who made it, but it is more a fact of timing than anything. End of year and tour players have been travelling from ass hole to breakfast, and the last thing most would need is another journey half way around the globe to get here for peanuts.

Watched the telecast and it struck me what a “c” grade field is playing and how boring it is watching so many journeymen or former ageing stars.

The prize money is 1.25 million and the marquee players are Rose and Watson with only one US tour winner this year, Leishmann.

Playing at the same time is the Thailand Open with prize money of only 1 million.

The field their includes – SCHWARTZEL, CHOPRA, GARCIA, Bubba WATSON, COLSAERTS, ISHIKAWA, WESTWOOD, MAHAN, CLARKE and NA.

They have either got bucket loads to pay appearance fees or Golf Australia are an incompetent tournament promoter.

John Huggan on the passing of Seve – “Sadly for all who love golf as the art form it is meant to be and not the science it has become, we may never see his like again.”

The Open field is significantly better than this years Master’s field. I’ve seen Vic Opens with better fields.

Kyle Stanley won on tour this year.

Jeez, hard pressed to want players who have busted their ass all year all over the world to travel 10000 k’s for an event when they really need a rest.

I commend those who made it, but it is more a fact of timing than anything. End of year and tour players have been travelling from ass hole to breakfast, and the last thing most would need is another journey half way around the globe to get here for peanuts.

Wantima Country Club Foursomes Champion 2011

http://www.golflink.com.au/...

VC of SEQ boys

They busted their asses to go to Thailand this week with exactly the same timing for less peanuts.

It speaks volumes about the Australian tour when guys like Appleby and Senior are consistently there or thereabouts. Take a look at the field and that will show you why there is bugger all interest on FTA.

On the commentary they were talking about how in years past we had Kerry Packer to thank for the quality fields. He’d sweeten the deal of them coming out & playing by taking them all out fishing on his huge yacht. (having read KP’s biography, I’m sure the fishing wasn’t the only activity they’d have been getting up to)
Now they’ve all got their own huge yachts, not so easily impressed anymore.

It’s a pity, but the reality of the situation is that Australia is no longer the sporting capital of the world.

Back in the days of Jack and Gary, the Aus Open really mattered to not just us, but the rest of the world. Nowadays, it’s just another small time event especially to golfers from other places.

The money on offer is nowhere near enough to coax tour weary players down under unless they receive outrageous appearance fees. Without sponsors queuing up to pay, it’s left up to GA to find the money. They simply can’t justify such an impost.

I’m afraid to say, this is what we have to look forward to going into the future unless another Kerry Packer type of benefactor is found.

Wonder if good old Clive Palmer would be interested? For the sake of the game, I hope there are a few other options!!!

It is all Labor’s fault.

This problem will go on forever as long as the US tour is number 1. A world tour is long over due.

In regards to field quality of the oz open, there are some players in it who constantly miss cut after cut. And don’t have a hope of ever being in contention of a national tournament. I have to wonder why they bother to persist. They’re simply making up the numbers.

Do find it immensely funny that GA advertise a “LIVE ACTION BLOG” on the Open website that hasn’t been updated in nearly two hours – last update 08:55am currently 11:50am on Sunday the 9th. One can only suggest that perhaps nothing of interest is happening.

Prizemoney out of date, winner can buy a caravan for his family.A disgrace compared to aust tennis opens.The winner of a B grade aussie horse race would get more.Third placed Brown received 27,000 dollars at NZ Open.Like a flashback to 1980s.

Prizemoney out of date, winner can buy a caravan for his family.A disgrace compared to aust tennis opens.The winner of a B grade aussie horse race would get more.Third placed Brown received 27,000 dollars at NZ Open.Like a flashback to 1980s.

RA will have shrink on the couch in 10 minutes.

You do bring up an interesting point and it is one that I have thought about before. How one earth is prizemoney so high in hire racing? I’m not talking about Melbourne Cups etc, but just standard weekly meetings. They don’t get much exposure at all yet a golf tournament gets 4 days plus build up.

Betting turnover for horseracing is taxed and put back into the industry including prizemoney.
Australian Open Tennis prizemoney is unbelieveable.
The event takes two weeks but puts big dollars into the melbourne economy.
Is the Australian Open a national open anyway when it seems to be Sydney based so often?
They dont keep the British and US Golf Opens at the same place in consecutive years.

You make a valid point about the selection of venues for the Aus Open. For the past six years it has been held captive in Sydney.

Back in the 70’s Packer had Jack Nicklaus redesign The Australian so that it would be easier to televise and to accomodate spectators without having to put up lots of grandstands.

The provisor was that the tournament would remain at that course into the future, much like Augusta and The Masters.

After four years the AGU, after being put under much pressure from other States, decided to move the event on a rotational basis so that other States got it every few years.

Packer immediately picked up his bat and ball and vowed to drop all golf coverage from his network. Cricket was the winner.

So why now is GA insisting that the tournament remains in Sydney? After all, golfers from all States are in effect minor sponsors via their affiliation fees. Time to move it around guys.

You make a valid point about the selection of venues for the Aus Open. For the past six years it has been held captive in Sydney.

Back in the 70’s Packer had Jack Nicklaus redesign The Australian so that it would be easier to televise and to accomodate spectators without having to put up lots of grandstands.

The provisor was that the tournament would remain at that course into the future, much like Augusta and The Masters.

After four years the AGU, after being put under much pressure from other States, decided to move the event on a rotational basis so that other States got it every few years.

Packer immediately picked up his bat and ball and vowed to drop all golf coverage from his network. Cricket was the winner.

So why now is GA insisting that the tournament remains in Sydney? After all, golfers from all States are in effect minor sponsors via their affiliation fees. Time to move it around guys.

Practice doesn’t make perfect – it just ingrains bad habits.

I’m pretty sure it’s because of a tourism deal with the NSW government. The deal is until 2015.

And next year it won’t be at The Lakes. Royal Sydney will hold it I think.

Where else would you like to hold the Oz Open??

Melbourne?? they already have the Masters!!
Queensland?? they already have the PGA!!
Adelaide?? Would get maybe 100 people there!!
Perth?? As above!!
Tassy?? Would get less people than Adelaide and Perth!!

So if you ask me, it should stay in NSW. It should move around to other courses, instead of staying at the same place for 3 yrs in a row though.
that’s just pretty stupid IMO.

What ever happened to the deal GA did with Moonah Links re playing The Oz Open there X number of times over the next Y number of years? Or did they conveniently forget about that after the first one?

Unless a sponsor puts up millions to draw the big names, it won’t draw big crowds or viewers on TV.
Our problem is population, why would a Sponsor put up millions of dollars to market thier name to a small audience. They are better off investing in other marketing stratergies.

If it was an international event televised around the world we would then pull big sponsors, put up a big purse and attrack the big names.

I’m pretty sure it’s because of a tourism deal with the NSW government. The deal is until 2015.

This is correct. Tourism NSW help fund the event to be played in Sydney

Accept it for what it is. Any competition that has changes in the leaders, a bit of drama, and testing conditions makes good viewing. Many contributors to this forum state that they enjoy the big tournaments more, when there is an Aussie name in the mix so get to know and support some of the names of the young, up and coming players in these events.
They will be the ones you will be supporting down the track.