Off the tee: Pennants shake-up in pipeline

Auckland golf clubs are debating the merits of a radical restructure of their men's pennants, the main interclub competition.

The proposals are the result of submissions to the Auckland Golf Association from the clubs in the face of growing discontent among members, only 3 per cent of whom take part in pennant play.

With annual subscriptions hovering around four figures, the loss of a full Sunday's play is resented by ordinary members.

The association has made it clear the present system, which has all clubs within a category playing at one course in foursomes in the morning and singles in the afternoon, will not be retained.

The conservative alternative would see the present categories of Bissett Shield, presidents, reserves, handicap and under-19, played separately in much the same way as at present, but with no foursomes. Courses would then be affected for only half a day and the semifinal and final playoffs would be retained.

The radical proposal would integrate all categories into teams of 24 players, made up of eight senior players, four masters players (over 40), eight handicap players (with an aggregate handicap of 80 or less) and four under-19 players. There would be singles matches and no foursomes.

Clubs would play home and away games in three divisions of six teams, with teams graded by their senior performances this season and with automatic promotion-relegation. There would be no semifinals and finals.

The premier Bissett Shield would be contested next year by Auckland, The Grange, Manukau, Titirangi, Whitford Park and Akarana.

Howick, Pukekohe, Maungakiekie, Remuera, Aviation and Onewhero would be in division two, and Formosa, Pakuranga, Waiuku, Maramarua, Clarks Beach and Wattle Downs division three.

The association believes the second proposal could promote club spirit, raise standards, attract older players into competition and reduce restriction on general club play. It concedes there may be greater costs to smaller clubs and that the initial composition of the divisions, based on senior teams' performance last year, will not please everyone.

One rule will be enforced whatever competition is chosen. A player will only be eligible to play for a club where his handicap index has been held for six months. There is discretion to reduce that period for players moving house or business.

Interested parties will have a chance to debate the proposals at a forum at The Grange on July 24 at 7pm. Voting should be completed for a decision in August or September.

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Despite finishing equal 11th in the Canadian PGA championship, Michael Long has slipped out of the top 10 on the Nationwide Tour.

The New Zealander is now 11th on the money list with earnings of $US115,301 ($195,000). The winner in Canada, Tom Carter, shot up from 54th to 10th.

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Auckland and North Harbour, not always the friendliest of golfing neighbours, are collaborating to make the Commonwealth women's tournament at Remuera in November run smoothly.

The five-woman teams from New Zealand, Australia, Britain, Canada and South Africa will play a round-robin from November 5-10, with foursomes in the morning and singles in the afternoon.

Different North Harbour clubs will provide scorers for each day and clubs from throughout the Auckland district will carry progress boards.

Margaret Dickinson, the tournament co-ordinator for the Remuera Club, expects to have 60-70 volunteers each day.

The tournament was last staged in this country 20 years ago.

New Zealand have never won the title.