Magazine - Hill's Vision Key to Open

By Editor in Golf on 6th Jul 2010 9:00

Dunedin businessman Ian Taylor has made an impassioned plea for the New Zealand Open to stay at a course he rates among the best in the world.

Taylor, the executive producer of Animation Research, which produces graphics for the British Open and the Ryder Cup, among other golf events, is dismayed at speculation the Open is to move from The Hills to Clearwater. He does not believe the event will have any marquee value if it leaves Michael Hill's private course in Arrowtown.

"What Michael has done has been absolutely outstanding. The European guys who came out here the first year are still raving about it," Taylor said yesterday. "The New Zealand Open was sliding into a morass. Michael had a vision to turn it into a really special, boutique event that would start to attract people.

Taylor has urged New Zealand Golf to give Hill more control over the Open rather than let Australian promoter Bob Tuohy take the tournament to Clearwater, near Christchurch, which seems to be the likeliest turn of events.  "Old-school thinkers are the reason tournaments like this slowly fade away.  "There is nothing wrong with Clearwater. But take Michael's vision out, and I think New Zealand Golf will lose the battle.  "If the Open does go to Clearwater, it will be just another golf tournament."

Taylor contacted the Otago Daily Times, emphasising he was doing so of his own accord. He had not spoken to Hill for a long time but wanted to defend the businessman's motives.

Source & More: www.odt.co.nz

Read more articles in Golf, by Editor or from July 2010.