KEY POINTS:
A stormy run as head of New Zealand Golf ended abruptly for Larry Graham yesterday with his sudden resignation.
The chief executive holed out after nearly three years in the hot seat, citing the demands the role placed on his personal life.
He said he came to his decision last Thursday, when he realised he had spent every weekend this year away from home. He is married.
He insisted he was not pushed by NZG, despite overseeing a big financial loss on its flagship event - the New Zealand Open.
When Graham departs NZG headquarters - a date as yet unconfirmed - he will be fondly remembered for his efforts in amalgamating the men's and women's bodies and overhauling the organisation's administration.
But arguably his reign will mostly be remembered for the national body haemorrhaging money over the New Zealand Open.
As Graham departs, after a $460,000 loss on the 2005 tournament, it was expected losses on 2006 championship in December could climb to $600,000.
Despite the negative publicity, Graham denied the Open's hardship was a pivotal factor in his decision to stand down.
"I think sadly it's probably been perceived as the catalyst," Graham said.
"Quite frankly the New Zealand Open is only a small part of the business, but it seems to hog the media limelight. There is a perception that it affected me, but quite frankly it hasn't.
"The New Zealand Open has run at losses before. When you take on the role of chief executive in a major sport you have to take those things in your stride.
"The board and I tried hard to work through the changes, seeing the New Zealand Open co-sanctioned to the European Tour and become part of the global game, and that's pretty important.
"From an operational point of view it was hard and we just didn't have the team big enough to cope, and with hindsight I might have done things differently.
"To be honest I'm more disappointed about not achieving some of the other objectives we set out to do too."
Those objectives include condensing the 26 golf events staged around the country, while Graham believed there were too many golf districts operating within the infrastructure.
NZG chairman Philip Hassall said Graham oversaw a tough period for the sport, but believed his stewardship would be viewed favourably, despite conceding their financial reserves "had been dented".
"I think everyone will recognise he's had a tough job with the amount of attention ... put on it.
"From May last year we've been a new organisation with a new branding, new culture and new environment and Larry can take a lot of credit for that."
- NZPA
