08 May 2023 , 18:04
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Members of The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide have been unimpressed with LIV Golf, after the course was left damaged following LIV's recent event down under.
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman brought the Saudi-backed series to his home country of Australia for the very first time in April, and it proved to be a success. The Adelaide event drew in a sell out crowd across all three days, a first in LIV's relatively short history as Talor Gooch took home the title.
Most notably the par three, 13th hole at The Grange was created into a stadium similar to that seen at TPC Scottsdale's 16th for the PGA Tour's Waste Management Phoenix Open.
The par three was aptly named the 'Watering Hole' as stands lined down the fairway, before a horse-shoed seating area kitted with bars, a DJ and terrace surrounded the par three green. The hole caught the eye on day three of the event, after American star Chase Koepka landed a hole-in-one to the delight of the Aussie crowd.
The boozy atmosphere boiled over onto the course, as hundreds of drinks were tossed into the air and onto the tee and green in wild celebrations. Whilst those in favour of the breakaway circuit were left championing the scenes, members from the host course are now facing the repercussions.
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According to Adelaide news outlet The Advertiser, damage caused by the LIV event will take the Aussie course up to six months to repair. Members of The Grange are also said to have been left 'furious', with calls for the Saudi-backed circuit not to return.
Despite the damage, those competing in the three-day LIV event more than enjoyed their week in Adelaide. No one more than Aussie star Cam Smith, with the former world No. 2 even claiming his homecoming event at The Grange trumped his Open Championship victory at St Andrews last summer.
Cam Smith proved to be a fan favourite in Adelaide (AP)"I would go as far as to say this is the best event I’ve ever played. I think I’m probably biased a little bit being from Australia, but this is what LIV Golf is about." Similar sentiments were also echoed by fellow LIV man Phil Mickelson, who commented: ""[LIV Golf Adelaide] is really an example of what is possible.
"And a new opportunity to present golf in a different way and have a different energy and a different feel. What LIV Golf has provided is a great alternative for the traditional ways of golf, and the people here in Australia have embraced it, and so you see a whole different energy."