P.G.A. Tourney Venue Changed After Dispute

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 17

P.G.A. Tourney Venue Changed After Dispute

<N Z Press Association—JCopyngtiti

HOLLYWOOD. May 17 The Professional Golfers’ Association’s refusal to allow a negro to enter the 1962 national championship resulted today tn the association deciding not to bold the tournament in Loe Angeles, after an apparent feud with tbe Californian Attorney-General. United Press International reported. The Attorney-General (Mr Stanley Mosk) bad said the PG.A. constitution violated Californian law because it restricted membership to Caucasians Mr Mosk bad also said that tbe tournament could not be played in California if the ranking negro professional. Charles Sifford. was not allowed to enter. Today the PGA executive committee, which is meeting in Hollywood, announced that a new site to’ the tournament would b* chosen “Under present conditions in California, the PGA did not feel that it would be possible to conduct a successful tournament of the magnitude of the PG.A championship in that State.” the P G A president, Mr Lou Strong, said He made no reference to Mi Mort’s statements. The PG A tournament director, Mr Edwin Carter, bad taid earlier: “We cannot live Sifford permission to play u> the 1962 tournament “He has to be a member of

the PGA to play—and under our constitution—if ne were approved today, he could not become a member for at least four years” The tournament had been scheduled at Los Angeles’ Brentwood Country Club for July 26 to July 29. 1962 The Los t -igeles Junior Chamber of Commerce was to have been the sponsor The announcement said “It is the feeling of both the PGA. and the Los Angeles Junior Chamber that present circumstances are not such as to insure the degree of success required In the operation of an event of the =ixe and Importance of the championship. "Consequently, it was felt that it would be better for the PGA. and for the local sponsors to rescind the contract and for the PGA to conduct the 1962 PGA championship at a more suitable location to be selected No other site for the tournament was mentioned The Junior Chamber of Commerce said that later it would hold an open gol' tournament tn place of tbe PGA championship.