Driving Californians to Tasmania

21 January 2009

Tasmania's reputation as a world-class golfing destination has received a huge boost at an Australia Week CEO Golf Day at the spectacular Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California as part of Tourism Tasmania's G'DAY USA 2009 promotional activities.

The Minister for Tourism, Michelle O'Byrne, who is leading the Tasmanian delegation at G'DAY USA, said the CEO Golf Day was an important opportunity to showcase Tasmania to Southern California's business elite.

"Tasmania now has a diverse range of golfing experiences on offer: from the nine-hole course at the luxurious Quamby Estate near Hagley to the acclaimed Barnbougle Dunes links course at Bridport, and Ratho Links - Australia's oldest golf course - at Bothwell."

"Tourism Tasmania secured Luke Mangan Pristine Water from Tasmanian company TasFresh, as the exclusive water for the CEO Golf Day and other G'DAY USA events in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York," Ms O'Byrne said.

Hosted by Australian golfer Ian Baker-Finch, the day featured a 'shot-making' golf clinic held by the host, a round of 18 holes followed by an awards banquet with an authentic Australian barbecue to finish.

"The latest development at Barnbougle, the new Lost Farm course, received plenty of attention from the passionate golf travellers, with host Ian Baker-Finch urging participants to come down to Tasmania to try out the course.

"The Tasmanian team was led by Pure Tasmania's Bernard Dwyer, and included Randy Youngman, Golf Columnist for the Orange County Register, one of Southern California's leading daily newspapers, and representatives from luxury golf tour operators, Mana Golf and Downunder Endeavours," Ms O'Byrne said.

"The event provided exposure for Tasmanian products and business as well as the opportunity to profile Tasmania as a premier golfing destination. Tasmania's positioning was also bolstered by the team being placed third in a field of 36 teams."

"Home of Australia's number one public access golf course, Barnbougle Dunes was a key supporter of the event, sponsoring the third hole and providing books, hats and golf balls for participants.

"Ross Baker from Ross Golf Australia donated a traditional hand-crafted timber golf clubs as an exclusive Tasmanian prize.

"And Barnbougle Dunes and Pure Tasmania provided a fantastic golf and accommodation package as a prize at the Tasmanian sponsored hole."

Sherwood Country Club is home to the Tiger Woods World Challenge, a sanctioned PGA Tour event which offers a challenging golf course surrounded by amazing vistas.

G'DAY USA is a two-week spotlight on Australia, presented by the Australia Week Committee, with a diverse program of activities and events showcasing the very best of Australian culture, fashion, food, wine, tourism and business

G'DAY USA 2009 runs from 13-24 January 2009 with events in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.

Further information: Rohan Wade (03) 6336 2443 or 0417 051 255