Australia’s superstar golf siblings, Minjee and Min Woo Lee, will join forces to host a new professional golf tournament at their home club, Royal Fremantle, in 2025.
The Webex Players Series Perth hosted by Minjee and Min Woo Lee will be part of both the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia and is locked in for an initial period of three years in a huge boost for golf in Western Australia.
The first edition, officially launched by Minjee and Min Woo at Royal Fremantle Golf Club today, will be played from January 9-12, 2025.
It takes to six the number of Webex Players Series events that will be played across Australia under the first-of-its-kind format of having women and men compete against each other on the same course at the same time for the same trophy and prizemoney.
Royal Fremantle Golf Club played a huge role in the early development of both Minjee and Min Woo’s golf games, making it an obvious choice to host WA’s first Webex Players Series event.
Minjee has won two major championships as part of her nine LPGA Tour victories, while Min Woo, one of the most exciting young talents in world golf, has now graduated to the PGA Tour and already has two DP World Tour titles on his résumé.
PGA of Australia Tour development manager Kim Felton said: “Minjee and Min Woo are great ambassadors for the game of golf in Australia, and particularly WA, and our thanks go to both of them for jumping at the opportunity to host the Webex Players Series Perth.
“The Webex Players Series is all about providing opportunities to our future stars of the game and to have both Minjee and Min Woo host this special event, share their knowledge on how they go to this point is invaluable and something that will no doubt assist our young players follow their footsteps.
“Being hosts of this new event in our Summer of Golf takes their on-going support and promotion of Australian golf to a new level.”
WPGA Tour of Australasia chief executive Karen Lunn said: “The inclusive format of the Webex Players Series has been a fantastic success since it was introduced in 2021.
“Having Minjee and Min Woo, two of our highest-profile current Australian professionals, involved as hosts of our new Perth event is new ground for the Webex Players Series as it continues to grow into being a key part of our professional tours.
“With the introduction of Webex Players Series Perth, we will now have six Webex Players Series events, allowing us to showcase the best of Australian women’s and men’s golf on the same stage in four different states.”
General manager of Royal Fremantle Golf Club Lucy Guppy said: “It was very exciting to be approached to host the inaugural Webex Players Perth to once again showcase our great course but also to be aligned with two stars of the current game and members of our club.
“They grew up playing at Royal Fremantle Golf Club and still practise here when they take a break from tour life.
“We are very proud of what they have done on course and we look forward to having them host their event here at their club.”
Meanwhile, Wednesday marks a new dawn for the PGA Tour of Australasia, with Australian investment management firm Challenger signing on as exclusive naming rights partner – its first partnership in Australian sport.
The breeding ground for Australia’s golf champions and home tour of our current superstars will now be known as the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
The new three-year partnership forms part of a wide-ranging Australian Golf collaboration, with Challenger also becoming a partner of Golf Australia, the WPGA Tour of Australasia, PGA Legends Tour, and Golf Management Australia.
The partnership will also play an important role in promoting golf across Australia’s local communities, cities and internationally while continuing to elevate professional golf across the wider region.
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said the partnership with Challenger represented a union of shared values and a commitment to fostering growth and innovation.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Challenger and look forward to achieving our joint goals over the next three years,” he said.
“We will be focused on offering even greater opportunities for our aspiring golf professionals to hone their skills and achieve their dreams, as well as creating captivating golf events across Australasia.
“This partnership is another great example of the Australian Golf Strategy generating opportunities for our sport with quality brands.”
Challenger is Australia’s leading retirement income brand, playing an important role helping Australians achieve financial security for a better retirement.
Challenger Managing Director and CEO, Nick Hamilton said: “Challenger is delighted to partner with the PGA of Australia, WPGA and Golf Australia.
“With over nine million passionate golf fans in Australia, and a sport of choice for over 45s, this partnership represents an exciting opportunity to showcase our brand and retirement credentials as we focus on taking a broader stance in retirement.
“The partnership also aligns with Challenger’s commitment to supporting Australia’s communities, investing at the grass roots to ensure that talented players can thrive at the highest level.
“We look forward to bringing this partnership to golf fans, customers and the wider community.”
In addition, Challenger will also be a part of some key vocational PGA Member initiatives to increase their connection with the highly skilled PGA Professionals, who are at the forefront of promoting and growing golf at the club level.
The full Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia schedule for 2023/24 will be announced tomorrow.
