Golf: Changes mystify NZ pros

SINGAPORE - Leading professionals Michael Campbell and Eddie Lee say the mass resignation of members of the coaching staff of the New Zealand Golf Association is not good for amateur golf in this country.

The NZGA confirmed the resignation of their national director of coaching Mal Tongue, his five assistant coaches and the association's chief executive Peter Dale at a board meeting in Wellington last week.

Tongue coached Campbell for a decade until 1997. Assistant coach, Shane Scott, who coaches Lee, the 20-year-old Korean-born New Zealander, has also resigned.

Lee and Campbell said they were surprised that the coaches' resignations had been formally accepted.

The pair are playing in the Singapore Masters.

"Mal and I go back a long way and though I need to get the full story of what's been going on, it does come as a surprise to hear of the resignations," Campbell said.

"It's not a very good scenario for New Zealand amateur golf, but it appears things were not that harmonious and something had to give with Mal walking out along with five of his assistants.

"I just hope now for the sake of New Zealand amateur golf that the matter is all resolved sooner than later."

Lee feels a little more directly affected by the resignations as he is coached by Scott and has been for six years.

Scott's guidance helped him win the 2002 Asian Tour's Maekyung LG Fashion Open in Korea just months before he turned professional.

"What's happened back home with the NZGA is all a bit of a shock to me, especially as Shane is still my coach and has been for about the last six years."

- NZPA