SP Brewery’s newly appointed Commercial Manager Mr Artem Zyabkin said as

the naming rights sponsor for a third straight year, SP Brewery is excited to be involved with the tournament again.

“In 2009, over 60 professional golfers from across the region converged at the Port Moresby Golf Club to play and we anticipate attracting the same number for this year,” said Mr Zyabkin.

Rated as the second best professional golf circuit in the region, Mr Zyabkin said the professionalism shown over the four day Open by our local and visiting golfers is a testament that PNG can play host the region’s top golfers.

“It is only right that such an international event should be sponsored under our premium brand and international gold medal winning beer of South Pacific Export Lager,” said Mr Zyabkin.

Mr Zyabkin assured the PNG Golf Open Committee under the helm of Gary Haora that SP Brewery will continue to work closely with you to ensure that we have a bigger and better PNG Golf Open.

In receiving the cheque, PNG Golf Open Tournament Director Gary Haora said his committee would ensure that the event maintains the high level of professionalism both on and off the green.

“On behalf of the PNG Golf Association and the Port Moresby Golf Club as for the South Pacific Export Papua New Guinea Open – 2010, I express my gratitude to SP Brewery through Mr Zyabkin for this generous sponsorship cheque for $AUD110,000,” said Mr Haora.

Mr Haora said the main objective of his organizing committee is to continue to enhance and grow the PNG Open event so it not only continues to attract the best up-and-coming golfers from Australia but expands its profile and attracts an increasing an increasing number of golfers from around the region.

“This year we intend to invite golf professionals from Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand,” said Mr Haora.

Speaking on behalf of the PGA of Australia, Queensland Tournament Director Broc Greenhalgh said in 2008 the PNG Open took out the prestigious ‘Tournament of the Year Award’, an award that the sponsors, the Port Moresby Golf Club, and the people of PNG should be very proud of.

“The South Pacific Export Lager PNG Open has again been nominated for this prestigious award in 2009. With only four tournaments nominated for the award, all eyes will be on the QLD Golf Industry Awards on Tuesday 2nd March to see if the South Pacific Export Lager PNG Open makes it two wins from three years,” said Mr Greenhalgh.

The South Pacific Export PNG Golf Open will be held from 28th April to May 2nd in Port Moresby.

SP Brewery’s Business Development Manager Reg Monagi in launching the awards at SP Brewery’s Brewkettle last night (Tuesday 24th November) encouraged the sporting community in PNG to nominate.

Mr Monagi urged several provincial sports representatives who are currently in Port Moresby for the 4th PNG Games to take back the nomination forms to their provinces and look at athletes that have performed well.

Chairman of the PNG Athletes Commission Andrew Lepani in thanking the Brewery for their 18th year of bringing the Sports Awards reiterated the importance of this event.

He said the Sports organizations are very fortunate to have the awards as it is the only incentive scheme that recognizes and acknowledges the achievements of sportsmen and women.

Mr Lepani said the awards are for all sports, all ages and talents and caters for athletes, teams, coaches, technical officials, sports journalists and administrators.

Nomination forms can be picked up from the PNG Sports Federation & Olympic Committee Office as well as national federation offices around the country.

Deadline for nominations is on the 31st of March 2010.