Golf: Hosting battle by cash barons looks likely

A battle between two millionaires could be a factor in deciding the future of the New Zealand Open.

It will be months before the venue and the date of the 2011 Open will be decided, because all contracts expired at the close of play yesterday.

Arrowtown jewellery magnate Michael Hill wants to keep the tournament at his private course, The Hills, which has hosted it since 2007.

But he could face a major challenge from American businessman Julian Robertson, with an estimated worth of $US2.2 billion, whose assets include the Cape Kidnappers course in Hawkes Bay.

New Zealand Golf (NZG) called a press conference on the tournament's future during the third round of the Open.

Spokesman Richard Taylor confirmed NZG had received interest from outside The Hills.

"We have been in discussion with the Robertsons but there are a number of parties we are discussing interest with," Taylor said.

Speculation The Grange, in Auckland, may be a contender to reclaim the Open appears to be wide of the mark.

Kauri Cliffs, also owned by Robertson, is considered too remote.

Gulf Harbour has support, but the memory of the disastrous 2005-06 tournaments has lingered.

Two other Lakes district courses, Millbrook and Jacks Point, may have designs on their own Opens.

For now, it seems most likely there will be a head-to-head battle between Cape Kidnappers, a links course 20km outside Napier, and The Hills.

Specifically, it may come down to which wealthy owner can stump up more cash.

Fans want to see big names, and Robertson has a history of attracting them.

He invented the Kiwi Challenge, a four-player $US2.6 million event, televised in the United States, that attracted golfers like Anthony Kim, Sean O'Hair, Hunter Mahan and Camilo Villegas.

There is a chance the Open might join the new OneAsia Tour, meaning the purse would have to be bumped up from $US600,000 to at least $US1 million.

The Open has traditionally moved around the country but Hill has made it clear he wants to make the tournament a fixture in Arrowtown.

NZG, therefore, might have to be careful it does not alienate Hill by asking him to be satisfied with hosting the Open every few years.

"He's made it clear in the past he'd like to be the permanent home of the Open," Taylor said.

"I don't think that's something the current board of NZ Golf would be prepared to contemplate.

"Most national opens tend to rotate around a number of courses.

That gives people around the country an opportunity to see it.

"It's been successful here for three years but we will consider other options."

Taylor conceded Tourism New Zealand, a financial contributor to the tournament, wanted the Open to stay in Arrowtown.

Promoter Bob Tuohy said there very few courses in New Zealand capable of hosting the tournament.

Bringing it to Arrowtown was more expensive but the location appealed to the corporate sector, something vital to safeguarding the Open's future.

With the event's sound financial footing, it was time to look at shelling out appearance fees for high-profile golfers.

"To kick it to the next level, and have enough money to invite a [Tom] Watson or [Nick] Faldo, would be magic," Tuohy said.

"We also need to look at inviting two or three players on the main tour at a time of the year that is suitable to their schedules.

Suddenly, it lifts the event and you can capture a bigger audience.

That's just common sense and good planning."

Tuohy said the Open had benefited from its association with the Nationwide Tour over the past two years.

He mentioned the OneAsia Tour link as a possibility.