The 2016 Fiji International has arrived and it promises to be bigger, bolder and better in 2016.
From humble beginnings, of a shared vision to place Fiji on the lucrative international golfing map, the Fiji International has come a long way.
“When we launched this tournament back in 2013, we used the amazing words of Nelson Mandela to highlight the way in which sport has the power to change and inspire, to awaken hope and to speak to people in a language they can understand,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.
“Through the language of golf, and the language of Fiji we’ve spoken to the people of the world and the world has listened and taken notice.”
“We had a vision to put Fiji on the global golfing map, to show the world the magnificence of your country, the hospitality of your people and to build your most acclaimed Fijian sporting event ever.”
“The Fijian government, led by the Honourable Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and the Honourable Attorney General and Honourable Minister for Economy Aiyez Sayed Khayoum saw our vision, backed our plan and provided substantial support to deliver on our vision, for which we are all very grateful.”
In 2016, the Fiji International is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia for the first time, a relationship which will continue to deliver benefits for the tournament into the future.
“This year we have become a co-sanctioned tournament with the European Tour, joining the second oldest tour in the world, and becoming part of a Tour played in 27 countries with 47 tournaments. We’ve come of age,” added Thorburn.
A strong representation on the growth of the Fiji International is the prize money. For the third consecutive year this figure has increased and now sits at AU$1.5million.
“Since we launched the Fiji International in 2014 with a purse of just over $1million, we have grown prize money by almost 50 per cent to a level of $1.5million this year – now the equal second highest purse on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia,” continued Thorburn.
But most importantly the success of any international golf tournament hinges on the quality of the field contesting the title.
The Fiji International continues to go from strength-to-strength in this department with some of the best players in the world taking notice of this golfing paradise and requesting to compete.
“As we’ve grown, our playing field has built, and with Vijay Singh, Nick Price, and Craig Parry in 2014, we’ve become better known, and are attracting greater player interest and stronger fields,” continued Thorburn.
“Last year Vijay again came back to play the Fiji International and we attracted World number 17 and seven time PGA TOUR winner Matt Kuchar, who won the tournament, as well as Peter O’Malley and Ryan Fox, son of All Black legend and current selector, Grant Fox.”
“And this year we have our biggest ever field with no less than seven PGA Tour winners, headlined by Vijay Singh once again and Ryder Cup player and World Number 23 Brandt Snedeker. Plus, Americans Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum. As well as Aussie winners on the PGA Tour; Steve Bowditch, Robert Allenby and Peter Lonard and a host of others.”
The Fiji International will be broadcast around the world with Fiji on display for more than 1000 hours.
“Our ascension to the European Tour will drive an almost 100 per cent uplift in the broadcast hours that the Fiji International will be exposed to the world,” added Thorburn.
“The international television distribution afforded by the European Tour will see the Fiji International broadcast into markets never previously reached and to bigger audiences, especially in the important Asian market.”
“This is incredible exposure of Fiji, of the Coral Coast, and of Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.”
“But more than that, with the exposure of Tourism Fiji and the vignettes which show the beauty of Fiji, the exposure the Fiji International offers is second to none.”
One of the main aims of the Fiji International is to drive the Fijian economy, particularly this year in the wake of Cyclone Winston.
“Fiji has successfully grown its tourism earnings in recent years, and we believe our tournament has played a significant part in that growth. As we’ve exposed Fiji into new markets, as we’ve showcased Fijian hospitality and Fiji’s natural beauty to the world. As the world golfing community has taken notice of Fiji’s golf assets and tourism appeal,” added Thorburn.
“On the economic front, our tournament continues to drive substantial economic impact and value to the Fijian economy, as we spend directly in Fiji on Fijian businesses, as we hire Fijian staff and as our international staff, TV crew and players spend in your market.”
“We bring over 150 event staff into Fiji from overseas just during tournament week driving over an estimated 1,000 room nights alone.”
But the Fiji International has always aimed to be more than just a golf tournament and tourism exercise.
The Fiji International aims to leave a lasting legacy of our great game in Fiji.
“As we’ve engaged in the Fijian community, we’ve sought to give back. We’ve implemented a school golf program that has introduced more than 5,000 children to the game over three years, and trained more than 20 school teachers to deliver programs. We want to help find, train and develop the next Vijay Singh to represent Fiji country on the international golfing stage,” added Thorburn.
“More than just aiming to have more Fijian kids taking up golf, we are also engaging the community through other programs such as volunteering and caddying at the tournament.”
“We’ve sponsored the Fiji National Golf Team, and worked closely with the landowners of Natadola, the Sanasana village, including sponsoring the Sanasana village rugby team, donating gym equipment and this year committing to a womens workshop in conjunction with ‘Fijian Made’.”
The 2016 Fiji International promises the greatest spectacle yet in the tournaments short history when it tees off on Thursday 6 October with the champion to be decided on Sunday 9 October.
About the Fiji International
The Fiji International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 6-9 October for AU$1.5million in prizemoney with tickets on sale at the gate and online.
Enticed by the tropical destination World Number 23 Brandt Snedeker will headline a field which also stars Fijian hero and three time Major Champion Vijay Singh.
This year, the Fiji International expands its global presence and confirms its position as an integral tournament in the South Pacific region, with the tournament being co-sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
A pacific paradise, the Fiji International also boasts some of the most unique hospitality options in world golf with the par-3 4th hole providing the perfect vantage point to watch the golf, whilst socialising on the beach.
More than just a golf tournament, the Fiji International aims to leave a lasting legacy for golf in the Pacific region, with the PGA of Australia supporting initiatives to introduce and grow the game in Fiji.
The Fiji International is proudly supported by the Fijian Government, Tourism Fiji and the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as the official resort of the tournament until 2017. Fiji Airways is the official airline of the Fiji International.