"CHEAP GALLERY”

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 141, 11 March 1930, Page 11

"CHEAP GALLERY”

BOMBSHELL FOR KILLARA GOLF CLUB KIRKWOOD SAYS HE WON’T PLAY COMPROMISE REACHED (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Rec. March 10, 8.10 p.m.) Sydney, March 10. The Killara Golf Club officials were treated to a bombshell in the shape of an ultimatum from Kirkwood stating that he would not play to a “cheap gallery.” He said that the price of admission, originally 10/-, was reduced to 5/- without consultation. Hagen and Kirkwood were billed to play an exhibition match on Wednesday. Kirkwood demanded the guarantee of a fixed sum, and complained that if people could not afford 10/- to see the world’s best play, after he and Hagen had dropped thousands of dollars to come to Australia, then those people should not expect such a treat. The fact that the Killara Club is one of the “swankiest” in the city makes the ex-Australiau’s outburst more amusing in the public’s eye. The club’s object in lowering the price was to give the greatest number of enthusiasts a chance of seeing thq champions in action. As a result of Kirkwood’s attitude the Killara Club had intended to declare the exhibition match with Hagen off, but Kirkwood had a consultation with the officials and a compromise was reached, it being agreed to hold the mach on Wednesday for charity. The committee had issued a statement that they would not allow Kirkwood or' anybody else to put, a pistol to their heads. Now it has been decided that a foursome will be played, that the admission charge shall be 5/-, and the whole of the proceeds be given to the North Shore hospital. KIRKWOOD’S EXPLANATION (■Rec. March 10, 10.55 p.m.) Interviewed, Kirkwood explained that all the matches here were arranged on the other side of the world. “I understood they were all on the basis of a minimum guarantee of £2OO per match, and where a gate was charged it was to be 10/-. Ido not care what they charge at Killara as long as I get my guarantee. I cannot break faith with the Melbourne people who guaranteed me £lOOO for five matches, and when I play elsewhere the gate charge is to be 10/-.” It is understood that Kirkwood has agreed to pay Hagen £3500 for the tour. HAGEN IN EXHIBITION GAME Sydney, March 10. Walter Hagen, playing an exhibition game yesterday with Charlie Campbell against Frank Eyre and Dan Souter at the Elanore Country Club, won at the fourteenth hole, 5 and 4. Hagen went out and in 34 each way. Campbell went out in 36. The others gave a poor display. The American’s play was again followed by large crowds. The fairways were faulty, but the greens were in good order. Hagen performed soihe brilliant shots.