Golf: NZ Golf's levy rise criticised

The manager of one of the country's largest golf clubs has hit out at New Zealand Golf's decision to sharply increase player levies and accuses CEO Larry Graham of breaking a promise made two years ago.

Grant Scoones, manager of the 981-member Tauranga Golf Club, has a memo from Graham dated August 19, 2004, which reiterates an earlier memo stating that as from the 2005 year, levies will be adjusted at the official rate of inflation in order to maintain services at current levels.

Last week, New Zealand Golf increased those levies, its largest source of income, by 18 per cent from $20.50 per player to $25, widened the scope of players to be levied and decided to charge juniors as well. Scoones, also president of the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Managers' Association, wants to know why NZ Golf has to inflict such an increase.

Ultimately NZ Golf may be facing significant cost increases, says Scoones. But they must justify their position, particularly with such a large increase, through full disclosure of their financial position and 0must give clubs adequate time to recover the costs involved, he said.

"The expectation that clubs can simply increase member charges without consultation and proper authority is further evidence that NZ Golf is out of touch," said Scoones.

"Is NZ Golf living beyond its means, and if so, should it not be cutting its costs to meet revenue expectations?"