1.00pm
The New Zealand Golf Association (NZGA) today accepted the resignations of their national director of coaching Mal Tongue, five assistant coaches and the chief executive.
After the executive board met in Wellington to consider the resignations it said in a statement it had regretfully accepted all seven.
"There were no winners today, just losers," NZGA chairman and acting chief executive John Patterson said in a statement.
"It's been a very difficult day for all parties.
"There was a lot of emotion and sadness from all parties and the board is extremely disappointed that the situation reached this stage."
He said that as far as the board was concerned "this sad affair is over and the slate has been wiped clean".
"The coaches are all eligible to reapply for any position on their merits."
Director of coaching Mal Tongue and his five assistants quit on March 10 and chief executive Peter Dale on March 12.
Tongue hand delivered to Dale his resignation and those of his assistants Bob McDonald, Shane Scott, Brian Boys, Simon Thomas and Murray Macklin.
The NZGA have consistently said the matter came down to a clash of personalities between Dale and Tongue.
The board today heard from the coaches and senior staff before reaching its decision.
"We debated at length each case on its merits, and took on board the advice from our staff. In the end there was no real alternative but to accept all resignations," the statement said.
Patterson said the board would advertise for a new chief executive, national coach and assistant coaches in the near future.
"As far as the board is concerned this sad affair is over.
"That is hopefully a start to the healing process. Our focus is to get the organisation back on an even keel and moving forward again."
Patterson said he was indebted to the support from NZGA staff in "trying circumstances," and also paid tribute to the significant progress made by Dale and all the coaches over the last two years.
"That is the real disappointment for me because we were making such good progress from all the parties involved. (We are) now focusing on the future."
- NZPA
Golf: Tongue's resignation accepted by NZ Golf
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