Golf comes to fore

LEADING brewery SP Brewery has sponsored the 2012 South Pacific Export Lager PNG Open with a prize money to the tune of A$130,000 ((K305,379).
The PNG open will be held on May2-6 at the Port Moresby Golf Club.
SP general manager Stan Joyce at the launching last night in Port Moresby said this year would mark the brewer’s fifth consecutive year of involvement with the PNG Golf Association through their premium brand South Pacific Export Lager.
“This year we are embarking on a plan to support local tournaments.
“As you may know, golf clubs nationwide have their local calendar.
“SP Export Lager has seen an opportunity to get local players to partake in the PNG Open,”
Joyce said in the coming months SP Brewery would sponsor the highest ranked local golfer of the Morobe Open in Lae and the national titles in Mt Hagen.
“After this year’s PNG Open in May we will continue to sponsor other selected tournaments and have their best local players earmarked to play in next year’s PNG Open.”
Tournament director Gary Haora thanked SP Brewery for its continued support to golf.
Haora said that during the past three years they had seen an increase the quality and number of professional golfers competing for a record prize purse.
“SP Brewery financial commitment to golf is one of the highest on the Australasian tour,” he said.
The PNG Open is ranked ninth in the Australasian tour, with the Australian Open, the Australian PGA and the Australian Masters heading the list.
 Haora said the popularity of the PNG Open was growing each year.
“The PNG Open 2012 is the ninteenth and my third successive stint as tournament director.
“And I can tell you that the organising committee and the Port Moresby Golf Club are committed to making this year’s event a success.
PGA Queensland’s tournament coordinator Justin Maker expressed confidence that this level of prize money would attract more professional golfers from around the region.
“That’s what PNG needs, to encourage local players, spectators and sponsors to help  build a sustainable sport.
“And a sport that will provide employment for our many young PNG men and women who love the sport and want be involved for life,” Maker said.