ISPS HANDA has expanded their involvement in international golf via a five year partnership with the PGA of Australia.

The philanthropic organisation will become the naming partner of the PGA Tour of Australasia until 2021.

The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia which sanctions 17 tournaments across five countries takes Professional golf to emerging and established golfing nations.

It provides rising stars of Australasian golf the opportunity to hone their craft close to home before capitalising on opportunities, afforded by the Tour, to expand their careers on international Tours.

Australia is a breeding ground for some of the world’s greatest golfers including World Number 1 Jason Day, Masters Champion Adam Scott and the man who defined golf for a generation, Greg Norman.

The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia also aims to leave a lasting legacy of golf in the destinations it visits. Via junior clinics, ladies clinics and other initiatives, it provides access to the game to people who would not otherwise have had the opportunity.

“The support of ISPS HANDA of the PGA Tour of Australasia is a significant development for the Tour and its players,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia which oversees the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

“The PGA is committed to growing and enhancing the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. Along with this partnership, 2016 has also seen the Fiji International become co-sanctioned by the European Tour. This continues the building of a stronger relationship between the European Tour and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.”

“We look forward to working with ISPS HANDA to continue to enhance the Tour and provide strong opportunities for Australasian Professional golfers.”

ISPS HANDA believes its partnership with the PGA Tour of Australasia will continue to help to unite golf internationally.

“The PGA of Australasia Tour is a part of a growing global movement of several of the world’s tours working more closely together,” said Dr Handa.

“It is imperative for the Japanese golfers to benefit from these international developments.”

“ISPS HANDA would like to assist in any way it can, to facilitate those developments to the benefit of the golfers and the industry in Japan and globally.”

Already a strong supporter of professional golf on an international stage at every level, ISPS HANDA has partnered with tournaments on the European Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, the PGA, the Japan Golf Tour, Ladies European Tour, Australian Ladies Professional Golf, LPGA, European Seniors Tour and the Asian Tour but this is the first time ISPS HANDA has supported an entire Tour.

At an Australasian level, ISPS HANDA has been the title partner of the European Tour co-sanctioned ISPS HANDA Perth International, BMW ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open, LPGA co-sanctioned ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open and the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf when it was played in Melbourne in 2013.

ISPS HANDA’s support of golf internationally also sees the flagship Global Cup tournament.

“The intention of hosting the Global Cup has been to further expose the Japanese golf industry and fans to the excitement of golf internationally,” added Dr Handa.

“I believe that this new partnership with the PGA Tour of Australasia, now the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia is an incredible opportunity to bring Japan a relationship with another strong international golfing market in Australia.”

Founded by Japanese philanthropist, Dr Handa, ISPS HANDA’s support for golf stems from a deep seeded belief in the power of sport to create hope, break down educational and cultural barriers and inspire people.

ISPS HANDA is a driving force behind the inclusion of blind and disabled golf in the Paralympics.

In recognition of the work Dr Handa has achieved for the promotion of golf on a global stage, the PGA of Australia is delighted to announce Dr Handa as a Patron of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

“Dr Handa is an incredibly philanthropic man who has worked tirelessly in the promotion of golf and the power it has to unite all people. We are delighted to have a man of his calibre as our Patron,” added Thorburn.

“The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and its players value integrity, the pursuit of excellence and a passion for golf, all traits shared by Dr Handa making him an ideal Patron to represent the Tour around the world.”

Reflecting on his patronage of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, Dr Handa commented, “To make a positive and vital impact on the unification of golf as well as the accessibility of the game to all people has become a key focus of ISPS. To be recognised for the progress ISPS made towards these goals is encouraging and we hope we can do more for the sport and society.”

A key outcome of this partnership is a holistic approach to charitable contributions. The PGA of Australia will work with ISPS HANDA on a number of activities and events, with proceeds to be directed to a mutually agreed charitable cause.

For the full ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia schedule please visit pga.org.au.

About the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia:
The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia is the elite tournament destination for Professional golf in Australasia. Encompassing events in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific with a total prize purse of around AU$9 million, all tournaments on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia carry Official World Golf Ranking points.

Throughout the course of the season Professionals playing on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia compete for the title of Order of Merit Champion. Awarded the prestigious Norman Von Nida Medal, past Order of Merit winners include Greg Norman, Peter Senior, Robert Allenby, Aaron Baddeley, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy and Greg Chalmers.

As one of the leading Professional Tours the world over, the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia is a founding member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. The International Federation has taken on the responsibility of generating funds for the worldwide development and expansion of the game and the management and sanctioning of prestigious tournaments including the World Golf Championships and the World Cup.

Not only does the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia consistently feature Australia’s best golfers such as Adam Scott, John Senden, Marc Leishman, Geoff Ogilvy and Marcus Fraser, the Tour also attracts the world’s best to Australian shores including the likes of Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald, Darren Clarke and Ian Poulter.

About ISPS HANDA:
ISPS is a ‘General Incorporated Association’ based in Tokyo. ISPS was founded by Japanese philanthropist Dr Haruhisa Handa in 2006 to support charitable causes throughout the sporting world.  ISPS’s support for golf is founded in its belief in the “power of sport” and it has fostered partnerships with golf governing bodies worldwide to help develop the game at every level and promote blind and disabled golf. ISPS’s heritage in supporting blind and disabled golf and Dr Handa’s interest and philanthropic contribution in golf has formed the foundation of its wider mission for golf to become a Paralympic sport. Outside of golf, ISPS’s support extends to other sports including rowing, football, polo, bowling and the convening of discussion platforms for young leaders in sports.
More information: www.ispsgolf.com