Billionaire Clive Palmer has dismissed reports the Australian PGA Championship is being played at his Coolum resort for the last time.
PGA chief executive Brian Thorburn revealed earlier this week ongoing discussions with current hosts Palmer Coolum Resort had failed to reach a new hosting agreement despite months of talks.
But Palmer was bullish when asked his thoughts on losing the tournament at a press conference on the Gold Coast on Thursday.
“I think the PGA will stay at Palmer Coolum Resort … I’m pretty confident there’s not a better place in Australia to have the PGA,” he said.
“It’s got all the facilities. It’s got international standing and, as we know, the players love it.
“The PGA is the Professional Golfers’ Association so if the players love it, the ayes have got the number.
“I’m sure it’s going to stay there.”
What will definitely be staying regardless of where the PGA is hosted is Palmer’s controversial animatronic dinosaur – a lifesize Tyrannosaurus Rex called Jeff.
The large model, the first of several dinosaur replicas Palmer plans to install, moves and growls and has caused much debate in the build up to this week’s tournament.
Large signs dedicated to assassinated US president John F Kennedy as well as promoting Palmer’s Titanic II project have also caused a stir.
But Palmer says golfers, signs and dinosaurs will come together in harmony for next year’s event.
“I don’t think the PGA is annoyed,” Palmer said.
“I think they love it. They love the media attention. They love how the brand’s being sent around the world.
“I’m sure the board is very happy with what’s happening at Palmer Coolum Resort, so happy they want to come back next year and we want to have them.”