Golf: Open future still in the rough

Photo / Paul Estcourt

It never pays to test the patience of an Aussie but New Zealand Golf seems to be with the continuing will-they, won't-they saga that is the 2011 NZ Open.

As far back as March last year a decision on the venue and date for the Open was said to be "imminent". Since then there have been continuing vague promises of an announcement but nothing has come to pass.

Australia Golf CEO Max Garske previously told the Herald on Sunday that he hoped for a decision by mid-January, and needed confirmation by the end of that month "at the very latest". The Australian PGA has offered two windows - either November 17-20 (the same week as the Presidents Cup) or December 8-11 (now more likely) and need to finalise their calendar and commercial dealings.

When contacted yesterday, NZ Golf continued to sing from the same songsheet of the last few months: "We are making good progress," said CEO Dean Murphy, "and we hope that something will be resolved in the next couple of weeks."

This was essentially the message conveyed in March, June, August, September, October, December last year and January this year.

The lack of clarity has fuelled speculation around the event. Clearwater in Christchurch has been the favourite since July, but some media reports last week stated that the Hills had been given the nod. But the Hills doesn't think so.

"I doubt it is coming our way," said Hills spokesperson Sam Gent. "2011 won't be an option for us." Gent said there had been minimal dealings with NZ Golf over the last few months, though she had been told to expect an official communication this week.

Australian promoter Bob Tuohy, involved with the last few Opens, raised the possibility of the Wairakei course, near Taupo, staging the Open but Murphy said he "didn't know where that came from".

Tuohy and Michael Hill have never seen eye to eye and the Australian's comments (saying the Hills failed to prove they could take the tournament forward and critcising the "very high" broadcasting costs) indicate it's doubtful the Open will be held there.

Meanwhile, the delays also mean it is unlikely there will be a NZPGA tournament in 2011. The two events have been held back-to-back in recent years, which increases the viability of stronger fields, but NZPGA CEO Dean Simpson said their event almost certainly would not be held this year.

"The uncertainty has affected our planning for sure," said Simpson. The event has struggled to find a major sponsor since HSBC ended its commitment after 2009.

If the Open is staged at Clearwater then the PGA would be on the lookout for a new host course and it may not occur again until 2013.

One thing completely out of New Zealand Golf's control was the Christchurch earthquake in September and ongoing aftershocks. It is believed the city council originally agreed to underwrite a Clearwater Open but has had more pressing concerns.