Golf: Campbell furious over sponsorship issue

Michael Campbell wants New Zealand Golf (NZG) bosses to resign over their inability to find a major sponsor for November's New Zealand Open in Auckland.

NZG is still searching for a principle sponsor for the open. It recorded a loss of $459,000 for last year's event.

The organising body needs about $1 million sponsorship to stage the co-sanctioned Australasian and European Tour event scheduled for November 23-26 at Gulf Harbour.

US Open champion Campbell is furious NZG has yet to find a principle sponsor.

"It's just a ridiculous situation so heads must roll and it's simple as that," said Campbell at the close of Monday's rain-delayed Irish Open near Dublin.

"There is now just five months to the start of the tournament at Gulf Harbour and still there's no title sponsor.

"NZG has known for over 12 months that the event was being staged in November and what have they done regards to securing a sponsor? Nothing!"

NZG chief executive officer Larry Graham recently revealed that event promoter International Management Group (IMG) had been dropped, leaving his own organisation to try to arrange for sponsors.

Campbell said he was approached by NZG for sponsorship and that his company, Cambo Investments, was prepared to contribute.

However he said the current NZG administration had to go first before he would enter a deal.

"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.

"The New Zealand Open is an important tournament on the Australasian Tour schedule and also now that it is co-sanctioned by the European Tour.

"More importantly it's New Zealand's national open and that makes it special not only for me but for all New Zealand-born golfers.

"I am in a position now to help out financially."

While a sum of $250,000 has been suggested, Campbell would neither confirm or deny the amount.

"I am quite prepared to put up my own money to ensure the New Zealand Open goes ahead in November, but only if there is change within the higher administration of New Zealand Golf," he said.

"There has 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 with those on the board of New Zealand Golf (have to go).

"It's a farcical situation and it should not be happening.

"It's been 10 months or so since I had arrived back home (New Zealand) with the US Open trophy and despite the fabulous euphoria and all the promises, NZG has let me and everyone else down by not being able to source a sponsor.

"I have done my best by continuing to proudly promote New Zealand golf everywhere I go and that has been even more so since I became US Open champion. What has NZG done?

Campbell left Ireland today after a final round of one over-par 73 to finish six shots behind eventual winner, Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, in the Irish Open.

Campbell beat Bjorn in a play-off to win the 2003 Irish Open at Portmarnock.

The pair will meet again later this week when they join the likes of Ernie Els, Adam Scott and three-times former champion Colin Montgomerie in the BMW Championship at Wentworth.

- NZPA