FORMER Southampton Open organiser Bill Webb fears for the long-term future of the tournament unless Southampton City Council has a "change in attitude to make it workable".

After nine years in charge, Webb decided to stand down as organiser of the competition which was won by Romsey's David North on Saturday and in the past by names such as Alan Mew, David Porter and Andy Bow last month, citing the council's demand for an increase of more than £1,000 on 2005 to cover competitors' use of the course.

Webb explained: "I took over the running of the open in 1996 and I believe it has progressed ever since, becoming a very prestigious event with more and more low-handicappers taking part.

"This year the council demanded more money to cover players' use of the course which, working on a field of 72, would have meant an increase in the entry fee of £15 to about £54.

"Despite asking the council to review the increase, this was a take or leave it offer so I had no choice but to stand down as such a large increase in the entrance fee would put off too many players and I couldn't allow the golf club to underwrite what would be a large loss on the event.

"The council officers are making decisions that are not conducive to the good health of the open."

The event, however, with Southampton Golf Club's honourary secretary Edward Hemsley organising it albeit with numbers down on last year (about 50 entrants) did go ahead.

Webb added: "I hope Edward negotiated a greatly reduced green fee and that 2007 will see the field back up to 72 and fully subscribed because I still want the open to thrive."

Paul Shearman, Southampton City Council's outdoor sports manager, refuted Mr Webb's claims, saying: "The prices paid by Southampton Golf Club in 2006 use the same pricing structure used for previous years.

"I'm not prepared to comment on the financial agreement between the council and golf club."

In a reference to entry forms for this year's event being available later than usual, he admitted: "As with any handover in organisation there were a few teething problems, but I feel very positive about the tournament as a whole and would like to emphasise that there was never any doubt that the event would go ahead."