Golf: Organisers sink the Open bogeyman

Michael Campbell said 'NZG has let me and everyone else down'. Picture / Nigel Marple

Heads won't be rolling at New Zealand Golf and the country's premier event is expected to have sponsorship details sorted out in the next couple of weeks.

Michael Campbell's two-fisted attack at the game's administrators yesterday over their handling of preparations for November's New Zealand Open at Gulf Harbour drew a "she'll be right" response from Australasian PGA Tour general manager Gus Seebeck yesterday.

Yesterday US Open champion Campbell:

* Teed off at the lack of a naming sponsor for the Open at Whangaparaoa less than six months out from the November 23-26 event.

* Demanded sackings at NZG for its inability to secure sponsorship for the $1.5 million event.

* Claimed his Cambo Investments company had been approached about putting money up towards the costs of running the event.

But Seebeck, speaking from Sydney, moved to allay fears that the Open, now in the second year of a five-year co-sanctioning arrangement with the European Tour, was in jeopardy.

"We've certainly got no concerns over the event in any way," he said. "These comments from Michael are in stark contrast to any discussions we've had with him in the past in regard to the event."

Seebeck supported NZG chief executive Larry Graham, who insisted there had been no approach from his organisation to Campbell or his company requesting funds or sponsorship for the Open.

Several sponsorship proposals were on the table and were at a "well advanced stage", Graham said.

Seebeck spent a few days in New Zealand with Graham and his staff a fortnight ago, during which meetings were held with present and possible future investors.

"I left feeling very confident," Seebeck said. "Obviously there's still some work to be done and a lot of following up. But it's a very sensitive, delicate process when you're dealing with potential title sponsors.

"It's a difficult one to keep everyone in the loop."

NZG parted company with partners International Management Group after the 2004 Open and went it alone in running the Open at Gulf Harbour early last year.

That event lost the national body more than $450,000.

Former top New Zealand professional Greg Turner has some sympathy for Campbell, and also for NZG. No stranger to brushes with officialdom, Turner was surprised at the vehemence of Campbell's salvo.

"He's frustrated, and I understand that. I was surprised by the extent of the frustration. He probably said a few things that on reflection he maybe wouldn't have.

"And I'm sure New Zealand Golf is frustrated as well. In terms of whether those frustrations should manifest themselves in mass sackings round the country, I'm not sure that's totally necessary," Turner said.

Turner is certain NZG is doing its best and is confident the Open will proceed. The prizemoney is in place, courtesy of the co-sanction. Basically, the money now being sought will be the difference between running a tight, bare bones operation or putting on an event which fleshed out that skeleton.

Turner reckons the Open will look and feel fine to spectators, sponsors hosting corporate clients and television viewers.

"It will be a successful event from the perspective of all concerned, except potentially New Zealand Golf, and ultimately that's a problem because it can't go on losing money," he said.

This is not the first time Campbell has hit out at Open organisers. At the start of this month, he said he was disappointed the finance had not been sorted out.

"I can't believe what's happening, to be honest, with how it's being done. You've got a player coming home after winning the US Open but you can't secure the New Zealand Open."

He had a crack at the state of the Gulf Harbour layout in 2004 a few months before the last Open, describing it as one of the worst designs he had played. Later he said the course was "very picturesque" and conceded it had been several years since he had played there and it had been improved.

But yesterday's comments seem likely to put a dent in the relationship between the country's marquee player and the sport's bosses.

WHAT CAMPBELL SAID ...

Michael Campbell on New Zealand Golf's failure to secure a naming sponsor:

It's just a ridiculous situation, so heads must roll and it's as simple as that. NZG has known for over 12 months that the event was being staged in November and what have they done to secure a sponsor? Nothing.

Campbell's offer, strongly denied by NZ Golf:

I've had a few phone calls from people involved with running the New Zealand Open seeking financial help and I said I am willing to put my hand in my pocket to help out. I am in a position now to help out financially. I am quite prepared to put up my own money to ensure the New Zealand Open goes ahead ... but ... only if there is change within the higher administration of New Zealand Golf. There have to be changes if I am to be a helping hand for the tournament and that means either those who run New Zealand Golf or those on the board of New Zealand Golf [have to go].

And for good measure:

It's a farcical situation and it should not be happening. It's been 10 months or so since I arrived back home with the US Open trophy and despite the fabulous euphoria and all the promises, NZG has let me and everyone else down.

- additional reporting: NZPA