Open may be moved

13/02/1998

WITH five days to go the Subang National Golf Club (KGNS) are in danger of
losing the US$300,000 Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open as almost all the
greens are damaged by "a fungus attack".
And now some tournament officials want the venue shifted to Templer Park
Golf and Country Club (TPGCC) as they feel the KGNS greens are unplayable.
"The opinions are divided. Some say it is playable but that is not
enough," said Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) secretary Capt William van
Geyzal.
"Personally I feel the greens are getting bad."
A final decision will be made on the venue today when KGNS management
meet with MGA top brass, minus president Thomas M.L. Lee, who is in Japan.
"Templer Park are the only venue prepared to host the tournament. We
must make a decision after taking into account various factors including
the time constraints."
The practice round is on Monday and the tournament proper starts next
Thursday.
KGNS general manager Gurmit Singh blamed the bad conditions of the
greens on a fungus attack.
"It is called Pythium Red Blight. It is a warm-weather patch disease
capable of destroying a bentgrass green within one night in mid-summer,"
said Gurmit.
Gurmit has been confident despite some employees, upset with the
management over a labour dispute, allegedly sprayed pesticide on the
greens a month ago.
Subsequently, several greens again suffered ugly patches but Gurmit
remained confident.
However, yesterday Gurmit was less optimistic: "Everybody wants to know
whether the course will be ready for the tournament, that is the million
dollar question now."
It is understood the KGNS management feel the course "is playable" but
tournament officials including tournament director Jeremy Kilby feels
otherwise.
TPGCC manager Ding Meng Sing declined to comment as he has "to sort
matters out with the members first."
He, however, said the course is fit for an international tournament.
Templer Park had offered to host the tournament a month ago when they
learnt of the labour dispute at KGNS. Even the Saujana Golf and Country
Club was put on standby by MGA.
However, repeated promises from KGNS convinced MGA that a change was
unnecessary.
The exercise to shift the venue will cost the sponsors about RM200,000.
Said a spokesman: "The media tent alone cost us about RM60,000. Add the
scoreboard and other expenses, we are going to be hard hit.
"But we don't mind because we don`t think KGNS are in a position to
host. We would rather cut our losses than get bad publicity."
(END)