Decision on N.Z. golf open deferred a month

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 44

Decision on N.Z. golf open deferred a month

PA Wellington A decision on whether the New Zealand Open golf tournament will be played this year has been delayed a month. The New Zealand Golf Association council decided yesterday to continue its search for a major sponsor at least until the end of June but leave the final decision with its management committee. The original sponsors pulled out early in May citing business reasons. This jeopardised the event, which was to be held at the Paraparaumu Golf Club in November. The N.Z.G.A. executivedirector, Grant Clements, told the council that he had put proposals for sponsorship to three business organisations but did not sound too optimistic.

"But even if we get a sponsor it will still require an enormous amount of work and cost to stage it,” Mr Clements said. He told the council there were two choices — that the association’s surplus funds be used or a sponsor could be found. Alternatively a mix of both could be used. Other ideas briefly aired included: Q Imposing a levy on club members of $2 to $3 for a

one-off situation. 9 To merge with the Air New Zealand-Shell Open. © To" look for multiple sponsors who would sponsor a hole each. All three ideas had limitations mainly due to lack of time available.

"I would rather go for the big kill,” Mr Clements said, indicating he was not keen on trying to convince 18 different sponsors to sponsor a hole each.

Hard times had put pressure on companies and was in turn threatening the Open, said the N.Z.G.A. president Tom Gault. He also highlighted the need for golf not to pressure too many of the businesses as sponsorship would also be required for next year's Eisenhower Trophy world team championship in Christchurch. • Aorangi Golf Club’s new representative on the New Zealand Golf Association council, John Patterson, has also succeeded his predecessor, Barry Forrest, as New Zealand team selector. The incumbent selectors, Goldie Wardell and Tim Treacy, were returned and for Mr Wardell, it meant his plans for shaping a strong Eisenhower Trophy team could go ahead full steam. “It’s all go now,” Mr War-

dell said, referring to his plans for the selection and preparation of the New Zealand team for the Eisenhower Trophy championship. Mr Wardell intends to start by naming a squad of 16 (10 from the North Island and six from the South Island) in a fortnight. The squad will be invited to participate in the first trial at Shirley in August and will then be whittled down to 10.

• A two-test golf series between New Zealand and Japan may take place this year. The council was told yesterday that Japan had verbally indicated it was keen to visit New Zealand in late October for a match.

It was suggested that the match be between four-man teams and conducted along the lines of the Eisenhower Trophy. Mr Treacy said Japan was keen to play in New Zealand soon after it hosted the Pacific team tournament in midOctober.

“It is a verbal request and we could play the first test in Auckland and possibly the second during the New Zealand Open,” Mr Treacy said.

The Pacific teams championship was to be have been held in Australia. Japan expressed interest in holding it

from October 17-20 after the Australians did not appear keen.

The championship involves teams from New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Canada. The N.Z.G.A. also committed itself to participating in the Asia/Pacific tournament in Taiwan from September 1316.

While in Taiwan, the N.Z.G.A. representative will have an uncomfortable task. The Taiwan G.A. secretary, General Charles Chang, had asked Mr Treacy in Sweden last year to allow his country to play as the Republic of China at next year’s Eisenhower Trophy. With the possibility of China applying to play as well, the N.Z.G.A. decided to refer the matter to the Foreign Affairs Ministry for clarification. Other commitments abroad could see up to six players taking part in the Australian Amateur tournament and a university student playing in Japan in September. Tonga also requested a member of the N.Z.G.A. as an observer for golf in midAugust when it hosts the mini-South Pacific Games. Auckland’s Graeme Cooke, named honorary member on Tuesday has been appointed to the position.