The TPS Victoria event – from a golf fan’s perspective – delivered everything the bigger DP World and PGA Tour tournaments did. And in many ways more.
What the TPS lacks in big name players it makes up for in multiple ways which, for the true golf fan, might actually make it a more appealing spectacle.
There is genuine world class talent on display (and some extraordinary shots hit), a thrilling finish and a winner who looks destined for much bigger things in the game.
And all this is achieved while improving the lot of our local professionals – men AND women – who need all the help they can get if global success is the goal.
From the moment they were first conceived, the Webex TPS Series events have ticked every box required to make them a success.
Often in tournament golf the competing needs of fans versus players sees fans lose out but in this series of events, it’s difficult to find fault.
Karrie Webb seemed to enjoy her TPS debut last week at Rosebud. PHOTO: Australian Golf Media.
It takes professional golf to regional parts of the country which is a big plus. It exposes our young players to real, 72-hole tournament pressure.
It gives those same players opportunities to earn some money towards pursuing the game beyond these shores, crucial in continuing Australia’s reputation for producing world class players.
It is innovative and inclusive with the fields made up of men, women, juniors and All Abilities players, an important step forward for the image of the game beyond those of us who play.
But most importantly, and the keystone that holds all of those other factors together, is that the golf is good, entertaining and accessible to fans.
It’s been a long time since Australian golf fans could spend multiple Sunday summer afternoons in front of the TV watching golf being played locally, but that is exactly where we are now.
In the halcyon days of the 1980’s and 90’s golf was as much a part of the TV fabric as cricket and tennis and while that changed as the schedule shrunk, these events are a positive step towards rebuilding what was once a very strong product.
“The TPS Victoria event – from a golf fan’s perspective – delivered everything the bigger DP World and PGA Tour tournaments did. And in many ways more.” – Rod Morrie.
Factor in that they are not just a TV product but perhaps among the best on course viewing experiences in the game due to the lack of ropes and it wouldn’t be hard to see the TPS Series as a concept without weakness.
One of the great lessons of the Vic Open this past decade was to allow the tournament to grow and find its place in the market.
It would have been easy to give up on the idea after the first staging in suburban Melbourne was somewhat lackluster, but the move to 13th Beach proved a stroke of genius.
Let’s hope the TPS Series of events is allowed the same freedom to find its place because it has already been better this year than last and that trajectory looks to remain upwards.
Which can only be a good thing for golf.
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