Forget the golf day, it’s tennis time

If you’re planning a golf day for clients, it might be time to think again. The latest edition of Sweeney Research’s annual sports survey reveals interest in golf has plunged in the last 12 months, with just 23% of Australians interested in the sport, down from 31% last year.

It is the lowest interest level golf has registered in the 20 years of the sports survey.

Tennis topped the list for the first time in 17 years, with 55% of respondents reporting interest, just ahead of swimming with 55% interest, cricket with 53% interest and Australian rules football at 52%.

The drop-off in golf is ironic, given the huge numbers of Australian players starring on the international professional tours. But Australian golfing events have attracted poor sponsorship, attendances and ratings in recent years.

If you are looking for a big sporting event to take staff or clients to, there are only three big options: The AFL grand final (rated the nation’s most important sporting event by 25% of respondents); the Melbourne Cup (20%); and the Australian Open (12%).

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