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Golf Australia boss Stephen Pitt believes the full spin off from “Tiger hysteria” which swept the country last week would be felt for some years.
The immediate benefits of having the game’s greatest player win the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath at weekend will be quickly gauged by TV ratings, website hits, equipment sales, player registrations and rounds played.
But the full impact, according to Pitt, will not really be felt until young kids, inspired by watching Woods, take up the game in their thousands.
Pitt said one young spectator summed up watching Woods better than anyone could, describing the experience as like “seeing a superhero come to life in front of your eyes”.
“It was a great quote and there’s a real element of truth in that,” he said.
“Kids love Tiger. For us, that’s so heartening and so important.
“We’d love to see Tiger move here.”
Initial estimates that Woods – paid $3 million in appearance money to make his first visit in over a decade – would inject $19 million into the economy were revised to $35 million at the weekend as he played his way to a two shot victory.
“We always knew there would be a fair deal of attention on golf but probably we didn’t fully realise how hysterical it would become,” Pitt told AAP on Monday.
The Australian Open, who on Monday announced popular American Fred Couples as its latest drawcard, would love to get their hands on Woods next year.
But the chances of that seem remote after the 33 year-old American, who loves Melbourne’s sand belt courses, indicated after his Masters win he’d love to return and defend in 2010.
“We’re just focusing on the 2009 Open but you always want to have the best players and we’re aware of what occurred (in Melbourne) this week,” said Pitt when asked if Woods would again be an Open target after missing out this year.
“I’m not in a position to comment on 2010.”
Pitt was also unable to clarify talk that Woods’ contract with the Masters prevented him from playing in other rival tournaments.
“I’m not privy to his contract with IMG but I think it is understood he has fairly heavy scheduling commitments,” said Pitt.
Pitt said the performances of Australia’s top players who put it to Woods, and the emergence of a number of young hopefuls such as Marc Leishman and Michael Sim, was proof the game was in a good shape.
“It’s a pretty exciting time for golf,” he said with the Australian Open and PGA looming.
“We’ve got the Presidents Cup back in Australia in 2011 and our major tournaments look to be rejuvenated.
“We’ve got the Australian Womens Open and ANZ Ladies Masters in March looking in great shape and with fantastic fields.
“For us it’s about keeping the momentum going and getting more people to play golf.”