A suspicious fire has ripped through the North Adelaide Golf Course a week after it was announced the Australian Opens will be held there from 2028.
It came after about 2000 protesters converged on Adelaide’s parliament house to protest the redevelopment of the golf course, which is estimated to cost $45 million.
Wide World of Sports is not suggesting the fire is linked to the protestors.
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Golf Australia last week announced a deal with the South Australian government to hold men’s and women’s Australian Opens there from 2028 to 2034.
Nine’s Will Lawrence was on the scene early Thursday morning as firefighters continued to hose down the course’s new pro shop.
“A fire broke out about 2am in the building behind me, and it’s quickly been deemed as suspicious,” he said.
Protesters at Adelaide’s parliament house, and the fire at North Adelaide Golf Course. Nine
“Firefighters and police quickly rushing to the scene to hose down that fire.
“Last night there was one of the biggest protests in Adelaide in recent history, with around 2000 people protesting the redevelopment of the course here.
“Central to that controversy is the felling of around 600 trees and what that will do for wildlife in the parklands.
“The fire hasn’t officially been linked to the protestors , but what I can tell you is the building behind me was meant to be part of the pro shop for the redeveloped course.”
The men’s Australian Open has not been held in South Australia since 1998 and will be in Melbourne later this year, for a second year in a row.
Golf Australia last week announced the redeveloped North Adelaide Golf Course will host one Australian Open each year from 2028, and will alternate between the men’s and the women’s event.
Adam Scott tees off during last year’s Australian Open at Royal Melbourne. Getty
Aussie golf icon Greg Norman designed the new course, which is close to Adelaide’s central business district.
“South Australia has built an outstanding reputation for partnering with sports and helping them grow their events,” Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said in last week’s announcement.
“Its golf pedigree is renowned through, among others, Royal Adelaide, Kooyonga, The Grange and Glenelg. With a new championship course at North Adelaide and The Cliffs at Kangaroo Island to come, the state has an incredible suite of golf attractions to complement its other tourism assets, and we’re excited to be working in partnership with the South Australian Government.
“North Adelaide will be one of the world’s best public golf facilities.”
Adelaide has hosted a LIV Golf event in recent years but the breakaway league is on the verge of collapse after its Saudi backers pulled the pin.