Months ago it seemed impossible that we would see a resurgence in large-scale events.
But now planning is well and truly underway to bring national events to the Peel region.
On Tuesday night, the council endorsed the planning of the Mandurah Masters Golf Tournament, which will see hundreds of golfing fans flock to the Peel region annually.
If the status of WA's hard border permits, the tournament is set to start in April 2021 and will be open to all levels of golfers.
According to council reports, Go Golfing Australia is in discussions with Tourism WA, with Mandurah the only location being considered as the host of the event.
We would expect that a tournament of this calibre would attract a large number of visitors to the area with a great flow-on effect for the Mandurah business community.
- The Cut golf course venue manager Steve Drake
The proposed tournament would run for seven days, hosting approximately 550 competitors across the Meadow Springs Golf and Country Club, the Cut Golf Course, the Mandurah Country Club and the Secret Harbour Golf Club.
The event will include four rounds of golf, two excursion days and activities for non-golfers.
As part of the week-long event, local businesses will be engaged for a variety of events including opening night, closing ceremony and varied social activities with early consideration being given to the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club as host venues.
Mandurah deputy mayor Caroline Knight said the golf tournament would showcase what the Peel region has to offer.
"It's an exciting event for golfers we have some fantastic golf courses within our region," she said.
"It will really showcase what this region has to offer not only in golf courses but also other areas as well."
The tournament will require $81,000 over three years from Mandurah ratepayers, but staff estimate the event will bring in $1.35 million every year.
After the three-year funding agreement with the City, Go Golfing Australia will continue the tournament annually with no further funding required.
Read more:
If the tournament runs in the City, Go Golfing Australia will commit to hosting a minimum of 15 escorted golf tours in the region including the biannual AUS/NZ Railways Golf Championships, and Mandurah will be the 'featured destination' for three of the organisation's monthly newsletter features.
The Cut golf course venue manager Steve Drake said he was excited at the prospect of such an event coming to Mandurah.
"It's a recognition of the calibre of golf courses in the Peel Region and a great opportunity to showcase our unique destination to interstate and overseas visitors," he said.
"The golf industry is experiencing an increased appetite for our sport - golf is a great activity for people's health and wellbeing and provides social interaction in the great outdoors.
"We would expect that a tournament of this calibre would attract a large number of visitors to the area with a great flow-on effect for the Mandurah business community."
