NSW Open on course to attract thirsty punters with inflatable pub

Golf's notorious party hole is about to go to the next level.

In an attempt to add atmosphere to the genteel game, the NSW Open will become the first Australian sporting event to feature an inflatable pub to house punters. The aptly named Inflate-A-Pub will be situated on the 18th fairway at the Stonecutters Ridge course for the annual tournament beginning on November 12, giving spectators a chance to witness the action from what is being dubbed golf's ultimate 19th hole.

"It's one of the initiatives Golf NSW has put in place to promote the NSW Open," said Golf NSW's government relations and communications manager, Bernard Bratusa.

"It's going to be based in western Sydney for the foreseeable future and the Inflate-A-Pub will add some colour and theatre to the 18th hole out here.

"Hopefully the punters will come out, enjoy themselves on a spectacular golf course, see some great golfers and pop into the Inflate-A-Pub for a beverage."

The 16th hole at the Phoenix Open, one of the most popular stops on the PGA circuit, is considered the original party hole. The par-three hole is the rowdiest on the tour due to its fully enclosed grandstands, which house about 15,000 spectators, many of them alcohol-soaked. Good shots are cheered and bad ones booed, leaving the players in no doubt where they stand with the crowd.

Borrowing from the American event, the Australian Open set up its own party hole, but the attraction was short-lived. Situated on the 17th at Royal Sydney, the local version included an open bar and a DJ in the hope of enticing new fans to the game. However, it was the subject of controversy when a spectator heckled Australian Robert Allenby about his sick mother, who subsequently died of cancer. Organisers scrapped the initiative in 2009 following other complaints about the raucous behaviour of fans camped at the green-side bar.

However, the man providing the Inflate-A-Pub to the Colebee course, Tim Cheal of Elite Functions, believes the "bouncy castle for adults" will be well received by players and punters.

"I think the golfers will laugh when they see it. It's a little bit of Caddyshack," Cheal said.

"We live in a politically correct society, which is a handbrake on fun. This will be great because rather than just standing there and watching the golfers go by, you'll be able to sit down and have a beer without having to go back into the clubhouse."

The Inflate-A-Pub, which stands 10 metres by 6.5 metres, won't be the only addition tournament organisers hope will inflate attendances. There will be a pro-am event on the Tuesday prior to the official tee-off, while golfers will go up against celebrities - including footballers Wendell Sailor, Nathan Hindmarsh, Jamie Lyon and Craig Gower - in a carting challenge at the nearby Eastern Creek raceway.

"It's all about having fun, which is what sport should be," Bratusa said.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, Adrian Proszenko, 31^st October 2015
Originally published as: NSW Open on course to attract thirsty punters with inflatable pub