Calls to re-circulate NZ Golf Open around the country
A former golf board president is concerned New Zealand’s centralised golf open is detracting from the game in the regions.
Neil Woodbury, based in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington, said the tournament belonged to every golfer in New Zealand.
“To me, it’s not an open championship any more.”
Woodbury said membership at clubs in the regions were taking a hit, partly because the tournament was not circulated around.
“I think it’s a great pity. In New Zealand a great many clubs lose members. They’ve had to merge or close down. The game has lost some of its mana.”
However, New Zealand Golf chief executive Dean Murphy said the tournament’s new guise had not negatively impacted club membership in the regions in any way.
The New Zealand Golf Open is now based at The Hills and Millbrook courses in Arrowtown, and has been held there in seven of the past nine years.
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