Greg Norman promised an event to remember when he took LIV Golf to Adelaide, but was it one to forget for the members at the Grange Golf Club?
Anyone could admit LIV Golf hit the jackpot with the event they held in Adelaide. The atmosphere, the fun, and the fans were great.
Chase Koepka even delivered a hole-in-one on the par 3 12th – the Watering Hole – which sent the alcohol-induced crowd crazy around the green and the tee box.
LIV boss Greg Norman has endeavoured to present “golf, but louder” with the Saudi-backed league and this was certainly achieved in his backyard.
Cameron Smith and Rippers GC were able to compete in front of Australian golf fans after numerous claims they’ve often been starved of holding PGA Tour events in their home nation.
But at what cost? Some members of the Grange Golf Club were left infuriated by the events of last month and are dreading its return in 2024.
According to The Advertiser, damage caused by hosting Norman’s longed-for Australian event could take six months to repair – much to the anger of some members.
“A profit-making circus has come to town and the people paying the price are the members,” Grange member Trevor Craig said.
“We’re not a charity, we’re a private club, and I don’t think we’ve been compensated adequately. We’re going to have a mess for six months and then it’s going to be back again.”
Some members were allegedly given free tickets to watch the action, but some still deemed the repercussions of its hosting duties as “too big a price.”
Over 60,000 flocked to what has been LIV Golf’s most popular and raucous event thus far. Talor Gooch tasted victory and banked the $4 million winner’s payout.
However, a large chunk of the membership at the Grange was satisfied with the tournament.
In fact, 86% of members said they were “satisfied or very satisfied” in a club survey, with just 7% expressing dissatisfaction.
“We have received many emails, letters, and phone calls congratulating the club for delivering the event,” Grange Golf Club general manager Barry Linke said.
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