Robotic, 26-foot dinosaur scaring away Aussie PGA
- By Ryan Lavner
- Dec 11, 2012 8:15 AM ET
Sure, erecting a 26-foot Tyrannosaurus rex between the ninth and 10th holes likely didn’t help, but it was announced Tuesday that the Palmer Coolum Resort in Queensland will no longer host the Australian PGA Championship after this season.
The search for a new home began after negotiations with tournament officials and billionaire owner Clive Palmer broke down. Coolum has hosted the event since 2002.
Television viewers will notice a few oddities with the venue this week, namely a massive robotic dinosaur that moves and makes raptor noises (though Palmer agreed to turn it off during competition). There are also some 60-plus signs – promoting Palmer’s own companies – painted on the grass. Players will be able to take a free drop under a ground-under-repair local rule.
PGA chief executive Brian Thorburn told reporters Tuesday, “It will definitely be played in Queensland – it just won’t be here. I think it is very sad. We have had a great run on the Sunshine Coast, it has been fantastic, but nothing stays forever.”
Related Articles
Aussie resort owner doesn't want Woods at tourney
by Ryan Lavner | Dec 17, 2012 1:04 PM ETAfter erecting a 26-foot dinosaur at the Australian PGA, owner Clive Palmer also said he has no interest in having Tiger Woods play his event. Read More
Course hopes to remain venue for Australian PGA
by Will Gray | Dec 15, 2012 10:28 AM ETDespite reports to the contrary this week, Clive Palmer hopes his course will continue hosting the Australian PGA - dinosaur and all. Read More
Chalmers wins Aussie PGA in playoff; Watson fades
by Associated Press | Nov 27, 2011 4:33 AM ETGreg Chalmers claimed his second major tournament Down Under in two weeks by winning the Australian PGA Championship on Sunday, making par in a three-man playoff while his rivals found trouble off the... Read More
Lavner is a staff writer for GolfChannel.com and is in charge of GolfTalkCentral.
Latest News
- Tiger: Clear air? 'No' | Sergio: 'Not afraid'
- G-Mac wins Match Play | OWGR No. 7 | Scores
- Bae wins Byron Nelson | At a glance | Scores
- Lefty to play Memphis for 1st time since '09
- Johnson storms to first LPGA victory | Scores
- Karlsson puts yips behind, qualifies for British Open
- Venturi dies at 82 | Twitter reaction | Photos
- Arnie, Jack recall Venturi | Nelson connection
- Week in review: Top Photos, Quotes of the Week
- Thanks, Jack: Guan accepts Memorial invite
- Open qualifying: Men's local | Women's sectional
- Instruction: Stay stable in high winds like Bae
