Melbourne, June 16: Staying downtown, enjoying the tremendous food, relaxing at the beach, playing any number of world-class golf courses on the Melbourne Sandbelt, or just enjoying the world famous hospitality that Australia offers – world’s best golfers shared their favorite memories; as tournament officials announced travel packages are available for the 58th edition of the World Cup of Golf at Kingston Heath Golf Club from 23-27, November 2016.
Matt Kuchar, who helped capture the United States’ record 24th World Cup victory, boasts an impressive resume in the event.
He and teammate, Gary Woodland helped author the country’s most recent triumph in 2011. Kuchar has since added four prestigious PGA TOUR titles to his burgeoning resume and is currently ranked in the top 20 in the world. He’s hoping to represent the United States for the third time.
“There were so many amazing restaurants and fun activities right down the street from where we stayed,” Kuchar said.
“Melbourne is a great lively city from beaches to restaurants to bars. My family did some really cool activities like going to the zoo and going on an incredible helicopter ride over the Sandbelt region. Visitors should go to any sort of sports activity. It’s just a great place to be.”
Aside from exploring the city and all that it has to offer, Kuchar raved about the famous Sandbelt.
“Melbourne has some of the best golf courses in the world. The golf courses in Melbourne are just remarkable,” added Kuchar.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama is ranked inside the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking, having won already on the PGA TOUR this year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. When asked about what he liked about coming to Australia, his answer was simple.
“The people, weather and the great golf courses,” said Japan’s number one player.
Danny Lee is looking to qualify for this year’s World Cup of Golf representing New Zealand, having played in the event once before, finishing T20 in 2009. Lee won the Greenbrier Classic on the PGA TOUR in 2015, his first PGA TOUR victory.
In 2009, he became the youngest player to win on the European Tour with a victory at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth, Australia. He was also a member of the International Team that nearly won The Presidents Cup last year in Korea.
“The weather in Melbourne is always nice. There are a lot of great outdoor activities like beaches and everyone is exercising. It’s a place that makes you want to be outside,” Lee said when asked about traveling to Melbourne.
“The golf courses are all so pretty and beautiful. They don’t even have to be right on the ocean. Just the way the courses are lined with trees and the bunkers are part of the ground.”
Lee’s suggestion for those traveling to Australia, “I love to get to a good bakery store and order five meat pies!”
K.J. Choi is one of Asia’s most successful golfers, having won twenty professional golf tournaments worldwide, including eight on the PGA TOUR, with his most notable win at the 2011 PLAYERS Championship.
Choi represented South Korea in the 2002, ’03 and ’05 World Cup of Golf and was also a member of the International Team for The Presidents Cup in 2003, ’07 and ’11.
“Australia is such a fresh, clean and positive place,” Choi said.
“Melbourne is beautiful. I have been many times and each time I travel there, I find something more that I like about it. It is such a great place to visit because no matter where you are in Australia, the people are always very welcoming and kind.”
The 2016 tournament will return to a 72-hole, stroke play, two-man team event format.
The first and third days of competition will be the foursomes (alternate shot) format and the second and final days are fourball (best ball) play.
A fantastic selection of options are available for those looking to travel to the event with three and five night tournament travel packages offering accommodation, souvenir merchandise and coach transfers to Kingston Heath Golf Club.
Visitors to Melbourne’s World Cup of Golf have the choice of General Admission tickets, the premium sports bar environment of the MacKenzie Club or, an all inclusive hospitality experience in the The Federation Club.
Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren says visitors can expect a word-class event.
“The World Cup of Golf provides all the elements for a truly outstanding experience in Australia’s sporting capital.
“While in Melbourne to see some of the world’s greatest golfers, visitors can enjoy our renowned food and wine scene, wander the laneways and city centre that make us great as well as meet the friendly locals who call the world’s most liveable city their home.
“This is a great opportunity for golf fans from around the world to head down under for what will be an exceptional world-class experience,” Minister Eren said.
Robyn Cooper, Tournament Manager of the World Cup of Golf commented.
“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from all corners of the globe as they travel to support their country during this exciting week of golf.
“The World Cup of Golf will bring the best of the best from around the world to Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club and we look forward to seeing these players supported by their fan bases from Melbourne, and beyond,” Mrs Cooper said.
The 2016 World Cup of Golf will mark the fifth time in the tournament’s history that it will be played in Australia and the first at any course other than the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
To view the full range of travel package options for The World Cup of Golf visit www.worldcupofgolf.com/travel