Golf: Officials answer back on Campbell's criticism

Michael Campbell's scathing criticism of Gulf Harbour hosting a New Zealand Open co-sanctioned by the European Tour has been deflected by officials.

New Zealand Golf chief executive Larry Graham is close to clinching a major coup that will see the January 20-23 Australasian PGA Tour event co-sanctioned by the world's second-largest tour.

Numerous high-profile European stars could play at Gulf Harbour, perched on Auckland's Whangaparaoa Peninsula, but Campbell yesterday lambasted the course, calling it the worst design he had ever played on.

"It will be very exciting for the New Zealand sporting public to watch some of the best players in the world compete, but unfortunately Gulf Harbour will be the worst spot to stage the championship," the country's No 1 golfer said.

"The New Zealand Open should be played on a decent golf course and not Gulf Harbour.

"I totally agree with Greg Turner's remarks when he said they've ruined a beautiful piece of land with a poorly-designed golf course, and all the comments I've heard from those who competed in the 1998 World Cup have been negative about Gulf Harbour.

"Thankfully I didn't have to play there in 1998."

Graham said that while it was disappointing one of New Zealand's favourite golfing sons made the comment, he preferred to focus on the positives.

"I'm not in a position to react to that. These guys know their trade, but my business is to try to bring these opportunities to New Zealand," Graham said. "I'm part-way through negotiations. We're pretty excited and we've had an amazing number of favourable comments.

"No doubt we're going to get some people that aren't happy."

Graham said they had consulted people about the suitability of the course.

He could not explain why Gulf Harbour was selected because the negotiations had started before he joined New Zealand Golf, but the larger corporate sector in Auckland was always a major factor.

"My understanding is that we are a bit shy on golf courses capable of running an event of that magnitude in Auckland," he said. "The commercial aspects and a whole raft of considerations are critical.

"If Michael wins I'm sure he'll be happy to take the cheque, and we'll be delighted if he does because it will be one of Australasia's richest golf tournaments."

The New Zealand Open follows the Heineken Classic at Royal Melbourne.

If the event receives European backing, the 88th New Zealand Open will become this country's richest tournament, with prizemoney close to $1.7 million.


Turner, who won 12 events in an 18-year professional career before leaving the tour last year, backed some of Campbell's comments.

Turner last played at Gulf Harbour in 1998, but has never been comfortable with the design.

"There's greater emphasis on tee-shots, so you end up hitting greens that are well above you.

"Personally, I don't agree with that approach and as a consequence you end up with an awful lot of blind and semi-blind shots to greens where you don't have a very good image of what's required."


He did not rate Gulf Harbour as one of New Zealand's top-10 courses, but added: "Visually, it can look stunning and I'm sure it will televise well".

Turner, who is on the Australasian PGA Tour board of directors, could not confirm if the Open was close to securing the backing of the European Tour, but he was quietly confident.

"At this stage I would be surprised if the event wasn't co-sanctioned. I would be very disappointed that between the Australasian, European and New Zealand Golf they couldn't get the deal done."

- NZPA