The Australian PGA Championship will have to find a new home next year after negotiations over the long-standing Queensland site with colourful mining billionaire Clive Palmer broke down, officials said.
He has also erected an enormous dinosaur replica that moves and makes noises between the ninth and 10th holes.
Although the grass signs do not breach any rules, PGA Tour officials were reported to be angry about their impact on other sponsors and players in the golf tournament, starting tomorrow, which has been hosted at Coolum since 2002.
At one point, the event was close to being called off, but Palmer tweeted: "We had some issues with pgaofaustralia but all now resolved amicably and we are looking forward to the tournament at Palmer Coolum Resort."
Despite this, PGA chief executive Brian Thorburn said yesterday the championship would be moving next year, with Palmer indicating he wanted to cut his level of sponsorship. "It will definitely be played in Queensland - it just won't be here [Coolum]," Thorburn said ahead of the 2012 event. "I think it is very sad, we've had a great run on the Sunshine Coast, it has been fantastic, but nothing stays forever."
