Golf: Spread the Kiwi gospel and the greats will come

Although Bob Dylan sightings in Gulf Harbour were holding relatively steady at none these last few days, times are certainly a'changing for the New Zealand Open.
This week's playing of the 98-year old event was also a first of its kind, the debut on these islands of a tournament co-sanctioned with the European Tour.

For the Open, the ramifications and implications of this newly-formed partnership are immediate and potentially far-reaching.

Gulf Harbour 2005 may have lacked the presence of a real superstar but that will change as the tournament grows and word of mouth spreads the Kiwi gospel amongst European-based players swithering over making the long trip. Besides, even without the likes of a Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo or Thomas Bjorn, it was obvious that, in terms of depth, this week represented the most talented line-up in the event's long history.

In admittedly benign conditions and with the Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed course in immaculate condition, no fewer than 116 of the 156 players broke par of 72 on day one. More than one man twice shot under par, yet still missed out on the weekend. That the halfway cut fell at as many as four-under par only served to underline the high quality of golf on display.

Even more exciting times could be ahead for the NZ Open, as golf's bigger picture matures.

As things stand, New Zealand's national championship is one of only eight events making up the Australasian Tour. That's disappointing, especially when as many as 23 Australians and New Zealanders currently hold cards to play on the world's richest circuit, America's PGA Tour. Not that such a situation provokes much sympathy in Jacksonville, Florida, home of the PGA Tour. Although nominally a member of the International Federation of Tours, this notoriously insular body has shown no inclination to help out its Australasian cousin, or any of the world's other circuits.

Commissioner Tim Finchem has done a great job getting the best players onto the PGA Tour, but he also has a responsibility to protect global golf, argues two-time British Open champion, Greg Norman. "I've had meetings with Tim and he has noted our concerns," reveals Wayne Grady, chairman of the Australasian Tour board of directors. "I know it is difficult; everyone has to look after their own turf. But we are all members of the federation. In that respect, he has a responsibility to the other tours and world golf in general.

"I'd like to see us institute a similar system to the one operated by the Association of Tennis Professionals," says Grady. "One where every player must commit to a few smaller events each year. Let's say that the guys have to play two tournaments offering less than $1m in prize money during every 12-month span."

"We could also look at a collaborative effort between ourselves, the Asian tour and the South Africans. If we took the best events from each we could come up with a third alternative outside the US and Europe."

Perhaps that last alternative has more chance of coming to pass. No one, not least Grady, expects the Americans to suddenly change their inward-looking ways.

Still, whatever the eventual result of future inter-tour debates, an opportunity beckons in the shape of a near-worldwide circuit encompassing events everywhere except the US - in which an increasingly strong New Zealand Open could play an integral part.

Scotland-based John Huggan is a European correspondent for Golf Digest and Golf World magazines.

- Herald on Sunday