NO GUARANTEE, NO U.S. TRIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 28, 3 February 1939, Page 13

NO GUARANTEE, NO U.S. TRIP.

COTTON STANDS BY £2000 DEMAND. Henry Cotton denies a report from New York that he has agreed to playin the Masters' tournament at Augusta in March next, stated an English exchange on January 11.

"I may go to America for about two months this spring, ami if I do the Masters' tournament will be one of the events in which I shall play, but I do not intend to make the journey, much as I would like to do so, unless my fee is guaranteed.

''If American promoters wish me to play in their tournaments, they must guarantee me a minimum of £2000 for the tour. So far I have received many promises, but no definite guarantee. The offer is still open."

Cotton, who is probably the greatest drawing card in golf to-day, would undoubtedly attract big gate money ill America.

"Cotton could get more than £2000 from gate money," says America, but Cotton does not mean to take any chances, but to insist that his six weeks 1 trip shall be remunerative.

George Jacobus, the president of the Professional Golfers' Association of America, tokl, a Renter correspondent that his association was unable to offer any guarantee apart from one for travelling and expenses.

It has been suggested that Cotton should meet Sam Sncad, America's leading tournament player, in a "world championship" match. Cotton's attitude is that he docs not mind.

The next move is with America. Cotton is willing, even anxious, to play in American tournaments and matches in March and April, but he will return in good time for the open championship. He feels, however, that if promoters are sure that he will make more than £2000 and expenses, free of tax, there should be 110 obstacle to offering a definite guarantee for that sum.

Cotton is probably the most highly paid professional in golf at present. He charges GO guineas for an exhibition in England, and gets it, so that his demand for what appears to be a substantial sum for a six weeks' tour is not unreasonable.