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Golfer Pacific - December 2009 issue Billed as Australia’s biggest and richest amateur golf tournament, the 2009 Mitsubishi Motors World Masters Championship was another masterful week of golf on the Gold Coast. The Mitsubishi Masters is a week long celebration of golf, social and entertainment events hosted annually on Queensland’s Gold Coast and tournament participants and sponsors alike have been quick to label 2009 as the ‘best ever’. While the Mitsubishi Masters comes with all the excitement, atmosphere and trappings of a major professional tournament, it is everyday golfers who take centre stage. So long as you are over 35 and have a golf handicap, you can live out your dream of teeing off in the Masters. The tournament brings together an eclectic group of more than 780 golfers testing their skills on the Gold Coast’s resort courses. Company directors, solicitors, doctors, firemen, secretaries, housewives, truck drivers, jockeys, tv and sporting personalities all tee it up at the Masters. This year, golfers came from as far afield as Pakistan, South Africa, Canada, United States, Asia, New Caledonia and a strong contingent from New Zealand. Australians make up 85 percent of tournament entrants and travel from all states and territories. A massive 171 golf clubs were represented, up from 149 last year. Entries from Western Australia doubled this year to 68. Much of this increase can be attributed to the 15 golfers who made the trek from Karratha Golf Club in The Pilbara region. Flying solo last year, Karratha member Steve Preston just knew his fellow members would love the Masters experience. For 14 ladies from Federal Golf Club in the nation’s capital the Mitsubishi Masters is the first event locked into their golfing calendar each year. Ring leader for ‘Club Fed’ Trish Lentfer has high praise for the event organisation and good times. “The whole event experience is hassle free. Go Golfing arrange accommodation and transfers to golf. Arriving at the courses your clubs are already on your allocated cart. The social events promote wonderful camaraderie and the entertainment is top class. You couldn’t ask for anything more.” More than 11,000 golfers have now competed in the Mitsubishi Masters and testimony to the event’s popularity, a record 68% returned from last year. Four golfers have played in all 14 events, while 42 have played 10 or more. First timers Brad Jones and Kevin Seymour from Melbourne were overwhelmed with the Mitsubishi Masters experience. “The golf courses were sensational, our accommodation was superb and the social events and entertainment just blew us away. We can’t wait for next year.” Go Golfing’s founder and tournament director, Peter McCarthy is very proud of the tournament’s success and popularity. “To think that a tournament spawned from an office under my parent’s house would kick on to become Australia’s biggest is heartwarming. We have a small but dedicated team who are passionate about every aspect of the event. Together with Mitsubishi Motors and a growing band of event sponsors and partners we are able to deliver a world class event experience for every day golfers.” The Mitsubishi Motors World Masters Golf Championship is played in age and handicap divisions for men and ladies. The age divisions are 35-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. Playing with golfers your own age and standard is a real draw. Low markers aim up with other gun players off the Championship tees. Those sporting higher handicaps play off the forward tees and are at ease knowing their partners are likely to duff a chip or two. While everyone plays stableford, ‘A’ grade golfers are also eligible to compete for the best gross. The Gold Coast is an internationally acclaimed golfing mecca and the Mitsubishi Masters tests your skills on four of the best resort courses. Golfers play The Glades, Lakelands, Robina Woods and Palm Meadows, all ranked in Australia’s top 25 golfing resorts. In keeping with the relaxed holiday atmosphere, all play is in motorised golf buggies. Boasting $110,000 in prizes, the Mitsubishi Masters is also the country’s richest amateur event. More than 250 prizes are awarded to daily winners of each division and for nearest the pins. The overall Championship winners take home stunning 3D crystal trophies to commemorate their achievements and a bounty of prizes including a Sureshot GPS, Panasonic cameras, Callaway merchandise and L’oreal gift packs. Social festivities kicked off with a welcome reception poolside at Jupiters Casino. Under the stars guests were treated to performances from the cast of the Jupiters stage show ‘Dance of Desire’ before Dale Burridge and Danielle Everett, original stars of The Phantom of The Opera had guests spellbound. An invitation to a Sportsman’s Lunch was a fitting reward for loyal event patrons. Sports commentator David Fordham hosted a raucous afternoon as Olympic gold medallists Steve Hooker and Duncan Free along with league legends Gary Belcher and Billy Moore and ex Wallaby Tom Lawton recanted humorous tales. The event also promotes the Gold Coast’s many attractions and entertainment options. More than 160 attended nights at Draculas Cabaret Restaurant and the Jupiters Casino show. Derby Day at the Gold Coast Races proved particularly popular while others opted for a leisurely tour to Mt Tamborine or a Tall Ships cruise of the Broadwater. Steeped in tradition, the final night gala presentation dinner was a stunning mix of ceremony and entertainment. Star of stage and screen, the glamorous and talented Rachael Beck wooed the audience with big numbers from hit musicals. Following the golf presentations is the much anticipated random drawing of $50,000 worth of prizes including a new Mitsubishi Lancer. Ten lucky entrants are drawn to come on stage and akin to modern day reality tv shows, the contestants are eliminated one by one with prizes increasing in value. The prizes include overseas holidays, Panasonic home theatre system, resort golf holidays and more. Last person standing takes home the car. With two remaining it came down to long time event supporter Ronnie Triffitt from Wollongong and Brisbane’s Wayne Muras. Second prize was a $5,750 trip for two to Queenstown New Zealand including return airfares, seven nights luxury accommodation at Crowne Plaza and unlimited golf at stunning resort courses including Millbrook and Jacks Point. As destiny would have it, Wayne won the holiday and by the time Ronnie returned to Wollongong a brand new Mitsubishi Lancer was in his driveway. Committed to improving the quality of life for all Australians each year the tournament also raises funds for the Cancer Council of Australia. This year’s total of $14,500 took total funds raised at the Mitsubishi Masters beyond the $100,000 mark. McCarthy explains that listening to what golfers want has been the inspiration for much of what his company offers. “Player satisfaction is the real barometer for event success. While golf is the catalyst for entries, it is the total tournament, holiday, social and entertainment experience that sets the Mitsubishi Masters atop the leaderboard. We welcome player feedback and our challenge is to raise the bar each year.” Preparations are already underway for the fifteenth Mitsubishi Masters which will again be hosted on the Gold Coast from 24 to 30 October 2010. The Mitsubishi Masters has been the catalyst for an expansive range of events, tours and services which justify Go Golfing’s corporate slogan ‘Everything Under The Sun For Golfers.’ The success of the Mitsubishi Masters was the inspiration for Go Golfing to host a similar event in Hobart each January which attracts 400 golfers to play the Royal Hobart and Tasmania layouts. Four-ball tournaments are hosted around Australia as well as New Zealand, Malaysia and Fiji. A week long golf cruise through the Whitsunday’s and Great Barrier Reef is proving very popular. Go Golfing’s tournament and tour footprint now extends to twelve countries. Their annual schedule of escorted golf tours takes golfers to awe inspiring destinations. Stunning courses, amazing sights, local culture and wonderful camaraderie are all standard inclusions. New Zealand, China, South Africa, US Masters, Canadian Rockies, Las Vegas, Dubai, Egypt and Vietnam are all on offer in 2010. Go Golfing’s business enterprises now include golf schools where you are guaranteed to improve your game or your money back. Golf holidays, resort golf discounts, a range of membership options and discounted golf travel merchandise and services are all on offer. Go Golfing is a business on the move with 20,000 golfers annually utilising their services. For more information on the Mitsubishi World Masters or Go Golfing’s events, tours and golf holiday services contact: |
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