Golf: New Zealand Golf names new chief executive

1.00pm

Wellington-based sports administrator Larry Graham is the new chief executive of New Zealand Golf.

Graham, currently chief executive and secretary general for the New Zealand Equestrian Federation, will take up his new post as soon as practicable.

He will take over from chairman John Patterson, who has been acting chief executive since the resignation of Peter Dale in March after a public falling out with national director of coaching Mal Tongue, who felt he could no longer work under Dale.

Tongue tendered his resignation on March 10 alongside those of his five national assistants -- Murray Macklin, Simon Thomas, Shane Scott, Brian Boys and Bob McDonald. Dale did likewise two days later.

Graham, originally from Wanganui, represented Wanganui in rugby and was also a successful coach in the region.

He was a member of the Western Flyers netball franchise board and is a director of the Cooks Garden Trust.

He has a keen interest in golf as a member of the Belmont Golf Club when he lived in Wanganui.

He was chief executive officer of Sport Wanganui for 10 years and became chief executive of the national equestrian federation in 1999.

Patterson said while the board deeply regretted the situation that led to the resignations of Dale and the national coaches "we believe Graham offers significant scope for the game to move forward in New Zealand".

"The basic structure of our sport is in extremely good shape both in participation and our financial position.

"Dale played a significant role in that respect. And the former national coaches under Mal Tongue played a role in developing the skills and depth of the coaching programme.

"Now it's time to move forward and under Graham's leadership, we are confident that New Zealand Golf can develop in some new and important directions."

- NZPA