The Finocchiaro CLP Government is elevating the Territory's reputation as a top sporting destination, announcing the return of the NT PGA Championship to the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia schedule in 2025.
The Championship is the Top End's premier golf event with competitors from across the globe teeing off at the Palmerston Golf and Country Club from 28 to 31 August 2025, competing for a share of $200,000 in prizemoney.
For the first time, the final two rounds of the event will be televised live around Australia and into New Zealand.
New Zealand is a key growing tourist market for the Territory with 17,000 New Zealand visitors in 2024, up 41% on the previous year.
Minister for Major Events Marie-Clare Boothby said putting the Territory on the national and international stage would highlight the region's appeal as a great golfing and tourism destination.
"The live broadcast will showcase our world-class golf course to a global audience, highlighting the exceptional sporting facilities we have right here in our own backyard," she said.
"The Palmerston Golf and Country Club have been pushing for this major event to be televised for years, and after less than eight months in government, we've made this happen because we promised 2025 will be a year of action, certainty and security.
"This will bring a significant boost to our economy, including our accommodation, hospitality and tourism operators."
The last NT round of the PGA Championship was in 2023, taking a hiatus last year as Palmerston Golf Club and its course underwent a major redevelopment.
Since its inception in 1995, the NT PGA Championship has crowned some of golf's rising stars, with past champions including Jordan Zunic, Austin Bautista, Travis Smyth, and local favourite Aaron Pike.
Various clinics will take place during the week of the Championship, including a junior clinic with the pros, a junior Pro-Am, a ladies' clinic, a clinic to engage Indigenous children in the sport, and a sponsor's Pro-Am golf day.
PGA of Australia General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relationships Nick Dastey said: "We're looking forward to getting back to Palmerston Golf and Country Club and seeing the results of all the renovations that have been undertaken there on and off the golf course."
"The NT PGA Championship has an atmosphere all its own. It's one that our players embrace and really look forward to being part of," he said.
Palmerston Golf and Country Club General Manager Matt Hewer said: "After the clubhouse undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation and course upgrades specifically to the irrigation systems, this a great time to showcase not only the event, but the entire NT to a national audience on TV."
The Tailor-Made Building Services NT PGA Championship is free to attend, with tee-off times between 7am and 9am. The final two rounds will be broadcast live by Fox Sports on Foxtel and Kayo.
Earlier this week, the Finocchiaro CLP Government announced international cricket would return to Darwin here for the first time in 17 years, which will also be held in August.
