Golf opens cancelled

THE Morobe and Papua New Guinea (PNG) Opens have been cancelled in a bid to protect the health and safety of players and stakeholders amid the Covid-19 pandemic, says an official.
The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Australia and event organisers came to the decision after determining that they could not guarantee the health and safety of players and stakeholders if the tournaments took place.
“While it is with great regret that we have cancelled this year’s Morobe and PNG Opens, the decision has been made with the health and safety of all those who come together to make these great tournaments happen – the players, organisers and fans – as well as playing our part to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” PGA tournament director, Australasia, Nick Dastey said in a statement on Friday.
“The current international travel restrictions for Australian, New Zealand and overseas-based players have also impacted our ability to stage this year’s tournaments.
“We are deeply passionate about developing golf in PNG and we remain committed to returning to Lae and the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club next year.”
The two events, staged on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series and International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS) Handa PGA Tour of Australasia respectively, were set to be played in April and May but were postponed due to the pandemic.
But as Covid-19 cases continue to increase, PNG Golf Association president Peter Del Monte said the sensible approach was to cancel this year’s events.
“While we feel that we have no choice, the safety of the people of PNG must come first,” he said.
“These are unprecedented times and we believe this is the right decision.
“Next year, we plan to be the season-opening event on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia, with the NKW Morobe Open on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series the preceding week.
“Two big weeks of golf for PNG and it promises to attract quality fields for our spectators, sponsors and staff to enjoy.”
Next year’s Morobe Open is scheduled to take place from April 29 to May 2 followed by the PNG Open from May 6-9 at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club, for a two-week celebration of golf that will showcase PNG’s top talent alongside Australasia’s stars.
The PNG Open was established in 1977 and has been an ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia-sanctioned event since 2016.