Golf: $150,000 cut from prize pool for women's golf classic

The prize money for what has been touted as New Zealand's richest golf tournament has been slashed, just weeks before the event is to be staged in Lower Hutt.

The $650,000 prize package has been reduced by $150,000 for the NZ Women's Golf Classic, at Hutt Golf Club from February 22 to 25.

Organisers and sponsors either refused to comment yesterday or could not be contacted, but a spokesman for the Australasian Ladies Professional Golf Association, which sanctions women's tournaments Down Under, denied rumours that the tournament was in trouble.

Warren Saville, based in Brisbane, confirmed that two LPGA representatives had travelled to New Zealand this week to meet tournament organiser Frank Burgess.

Saville said there would be less prize money on offer but dismissed suggestions of a financial crisis.

"They have had a good hard look at the books and came home convinced the tournament was still viable," he said.

"But yes, it's true we have had to rethink how much prize money is offered because the budget has been trimmed.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's still on," he said. "I have not heard any differently."

The tournament had attracted 11 of the world's top 12 players.

Saville said the latest problems were linked to fallout from the Australian Masters women's tournament, scheduled a week after the Wellington event.

Prize money for the Australian event was cut when a big sponsor withdrew. That set off a chain reaction felt in Wellington, Saville said.

The United States LPGA downgraded the Australian event because of the loss of the sponsor and several top-ranked women pulled out, saying that it was no longer worthwhile travelling Down Under.

Included in those was world No 1 Karrie Webb, an Australian based in the US. She had confirmed her participation in the Wellington tournament but withdrew when she cancelled the Australian trip.

Joining her as high-profile withdrawals were Americans Juli Inkster and Meg Mallon.

Saville said the withdrawal of those stars had dented potential income.

Key sponsor Cloud 9, an Avalon-based television production firm, would not elaborate on arrangements yesterday.

Spokesman William Kircher refused to say whether Cloud 9 had renegotiated its financial support, but added that the company was "committed to the project and is looking forward to the holding of a successful tournament."

Organiser Burgess, who was contracted to direct the tournament by sports promotion company Tuohy Associates, could not be contacted.

Tuohy owner Bob Tuohy had also visited Burgess this week to gain an assurance that the tournament was still viable.

The reduction in prize money means that the tournament can no longer lay claim to being New Zealand's richest - it will have to share that title.

If the purse remains at $500,000 it will match this year's New Zealand Open being held at The Grange next month.

A Hutt Golf Club spokesman said preparation for the women's classic was going ahead as normal.

- NZPA