Queensland's Sunshine Coast - A Naturally Refreshing Golfing Destination

Steve Cooper

Queensland's Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd (SCDL) is excited to attend the IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) Asia Golf Tourism Convention to be held in Kuala Lumpur from 22-25 April 2012.

IAGTO will bring 150 golf tour operators (buyers) from key markets including Japan, Korea, China, South East Asia, Canada and Europe. SCDL will have the opportunity over the four days to conduct one-on-one appointments, meet and network with operators qualified to sell golf destinations including Queensland and the Sunshine Coast.

"Asia certainly provides a huge opportunity for the Sunshine Coast, given the growth that Australia and Queensland is realising from this market," said Steve Cooper, CEO of SCDL. "The Sunshine Coast is positioning and marketing the golf experience, anchored by the prestige of being home to the Australian PGA Championship and boasting four other championship courses. We will also showcase other naturally refreshing activities in and around the golf experience, for families and partners. Focusing on this differentiated selling proposition is crucial to our success," says Mr Cooper.

"This will be the first time the convention has been held in Asia and the first time the Sunshine Coast has attended. We look forward to the opportunity to provide information on the Sunshine Coast as a golfing destination, establish crucial relationships and create linkages for packaging," added Mr Cooper.

Peregian Springs

The Sunshine Coast is a haven for golfers with over 20 golf courses to choose from. There are five championship courses: the world-class Australian PGA championship course at the Coolum Golf and Spa, the Greg Norman-designed Club Pelican, Noosa Springs, Peregian Springs and Twin Waters. These championship courses are served by international standard luxury accommodation and world-class golfing facilities. The Australian PGA Championship is one of the top three golf tournaments in the country, alongside the Australian Open and the Australian Masters. There are also dozens of excellent public courses offering great value golfing.

Established in 1997, IAGTO's membership comprises 1886 accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines, tourist boards, approved media and business partners in 90 countries including, at its core, 442 specialist golf tour operators in 58 countries.

It is estimated that IAGTO's operators control over 85% of golf holiday packages sold worldwide and turnover more than $1.5 billion (AUD) per year.

Coolum Golf and Spa

Home of the Australian PGA Championship, the Coolum Golf and Spa is a 72 par, 6137 metre course, designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr, offers contrasting landscapes, from coastal holes adjoining the Pacific Ocean to manicured fairways that weave their way through native bushland. The biggest challenge to this course is the legendary 18th hole, hailed by many in Australia as the one of the most identifiable holes over the past decade.  Significantly, it has determined the winner of the PGA Championship over the past ten years.

Club Pelican

Located in the stunning grounds of Golden Beach, you can also experience Greg Norman's Great White Shark touch with a round of gold at Pelican Waters Golf Club.  Open to the public and designed to rank among the premier courses in the world, this spectacular championship course fittingly boasts one of the finest clubhouses and practice facilities in Australia. Bounded by lush bushland and scenic creek land, Pelican Waters has intelligently integrated the existing natural landscape and translated it to simply exhilarating golfing terrain.

Noosa Springs

Only minutes from Noosa's fashionable Hastings Street, Noosa Springs has quickly developed a reputation as one of the Sunshine Coast's must-play courses. The international standard championship course is designed by leading golf architect, Graham Papworth. The golf course is a lot of fun to play and challenges both low and high handicappers. One of the many ways to relax after a day on the greens is indulging in a luxury spa treatment to nurture and pamper the senses. The spa at Noosa Springs has been designed for all-out indulgence with features including a unique Hydro Massage Pool, Australia's only Flotation Pool, Geisha Spa and treatment rooms opening to private courtyards with soothing water features.

Twin Waters

Twin Waters Golf Club is a sportsperson's dream. The course has a sister agreement with Lakes Resort in New Zealand and is also home to the Holden Scramble Championship Final. The 18-hole, par 72 championship course is internationally recognised as one of the top six resort courses in Australia and is located between the pristine Maroochy River and the South Pacific Ocean.  The links-style course has large greens and wide fairways and is suited for golfers of any skill level. The course was designed by five times British Open Champion, Peter Thomson and partner Mike Wolveridge. The surrounding native bushland at Twin Waters provides a home to the many kangaroos that leap across the fairways almost daily at dusk.

For more information: http://www.visitsunshinecoast.com.au/