By DAVID LEGGAT Sports Editor
Michael Campbell wants the issue of ticket prices at this week's New Zealand Open to be consigned to history.
But there was a fat chance of that when he gave his pre-Open press conference yesterday.
New Zealand's highest-ranked player, at No 29, was an early vociferous critic of the prices, which are up $5 on the earlier published figures, especially as they related to younger spectators.
A season pass for the tournament costs $450; spectators could watch the pro-am event yesterday for $45; a one-day ticket for either today or tomorrow is $110 ($220 for both), and for either Saturday or Sunday $175 ($350 for both).
On top of that, a season ticket does not include the cost of sitting in the stand at the 18th green.
Campbell, who won the Open when it was last in Paparapaumu two years ago, made it clear yesterday that he wants to look ahead and think and talk golf, rather than delve into the most controversial aspect of the event.
"I was very frustrated six months ago," he said. "The most important thing is to expose golf to the younger generation."
A thousand free tickets are now available for children, and those under 16 get in for $10 a day with an adult.
Campbell has received a chunk of free tickets for his family and friends, although he recognised that not all players in the field had been given that luxury.
"Ticket prices have been blown out of all proportion, by the players as well. Look, I'm just looking forward to tomorrow. All those issues have been resolved."
One of the intriguing aspects of the ticket price debate is how spectators will handle the differing cost of tickets.
Tiger Woods had a healthy gallery watching his pro-am round yesterday, but not as many as followed his nine-hole workout on Tuesday.
Admittedly that was in hot sunshine as opposed to yesterday's steady rain, but a poor turnout today, irrespective of the weather, will show that the walk-up spectators have voted on the prices with their feet. Organisers have their fingers crossed for 15,000 to 20,000 on each of the next four days.
Fox was bogey-free, with six birdies at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club.