NT PGA Championship to elevate Northern Territory as top sporting destination

The return of the NT PGA Championship to the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia schedule in 2025 aims to elevate the Northern Territory’s reputation as a top sporting destination.

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.

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 28th to 31st August 2025, competing for a share of $200,000 in prizemoney.

PGA of Australia General Manager of Tournaments and Global Tour Relationships Nick Dastey shared “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.”

For the first time, the final two rounds of the event will be televised live around Australia and into New Zealand.

Palmerston Golf and Country Club General Manager Matt Hewer added “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.”

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.

NT 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.

Minister Boothby noted “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.

“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.”

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.

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.

Image. Credit:Palmerston Golf Club