Confusion, rift threatens golf open

Press, 23 February 1989, Page 44

Confusion, rift threatens golf open

PA Wellington The New Zealand Open golf tournament may not be played this year because of growing uncertainty over dates for the event.

the Australia-New Zealand P.G.A. Tour Board. After the split, the union released its own schedule of tournaments from October to February which made no provision for New Zealand events. The New Zealand Golf Association, which had a council meeting in Well-

Already existing confusion has been heightened by a split between the Australian Golf Union and

ingtoh yesterday at which it expressed its considerable annoyance over an earlier proposal to change the dates of the open, was further outraged by news of the split. “It (the open) may or may not take place depending on what occurs in the next week or so,” said

the association acting chairman, Neil Woodbury and the executive director, Grant Clements. “It’s far too difficult for us to try to arrange events when they can’t give us permanent dates — it’s messing up our national programme,” they said, The association is keen

to host the open — which has been played every year since 1907 apart from the two world wars — but has made it clear it wants dates that will both suit it and will not be changed.

The original dates set last year were November 16-19 for the open.