The par-three 16th hole at RACV Royal Pines Resort will be the most eagerly-anticipated hole in the Australian PGA Championship, with a combined AU$1 million up for grabs for players and spectators.
The Soniq Million Dollar Hole will give every player in the field the opportunity to win AU$500,000 for themselves, plus AU$500,000 in prizes for one lucky fan.
The first player to ace the 16th hole during the final round on Sunday December 4 will walk away with AU$500,000, and to give members of the public a chance to share in the prize, Soniq will run a competition in the build-up to the tournament for a fan to be aligned with every professional in the field.
“This is the second year that we are offering a million dollar prize for a hole-in-one on the 16th at RACV Royal Pines Resort,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
“Last year, the 16th became the centre of attention for golf fans with everyone flocking to the green to see if a player could pull off the feat.
“This year, with the support of our partner Soniq, we have big plans for the Soniq Million Dollar Hole with even more entertainment and hospitality planned for fans.”
As fans anxiously wait to see if the million dollar prize will be one, there will be live music and entertainment in the Soniq Million Dollar Hole hospitality marquee.
“We are delighted to have extended our involvement with the Australian PGA Championship by hosting the Soniq Million Dollar Hole, which will be a hive of excitement during the tournament,” said Song Su, General Manager of Soniq.
“A hole in one is something every golfer dreams of, but the excitement and anticipation of the achievement being rewarded with a million dollar prize and golf fans being able to share in it will see the Australian PGA Championship come alive.”
The Soniq Million Dollar Hole has already captured the attention of World Number Eight Adam Scott, who announced he would be returning to the Gold Coast for the 2016 Australian PGA Championship.
“I am coming home and I can’t wait be back in Queensland for the Australian PGA Championship,” said Scott.
“But it’s the Million Dollar Hole that has caught my attention, and I can’t wait to have a crack at acing the 16th. It’s going to be an exciting week on the Gold Coast.”
Kate Jones, the Minister for Tourism and Major Events, believes the Million Dollar Hole will add more anticipation and excitement to the prestigious tournament.
“It’s an exciting addition that was certainly a big hit with fans last year,” she said.
“The 16th will be the place to be again, as fans revel in the atmosphere and the anticipation of someone scoring an ace and pocketing the prize.
“I am delighted that the concept is back to entice more fans to visit the Gold Coast and enjoy what is a fantastic event for Queensland.”
The Australian PGA Championship will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from December 1-4 and will be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia for the second consecutive year.
The Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland as well as the City of Gold Coast and Gold Coast Tourism, will support the Championship.
