AMATEUR GOLF PLAYERS

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LX, Issue 16, 28 February 1939, Page 1

AMATEUR GOLF PLAYERS

ACCEPTANCE OF EXTRAVAGANT

GIFTS

FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS'

METHODS

(From The Guardian's London

Correspondent)

LONDON, anuary 28

Henry 'Cotton, Britain's most famous professional golfer, this week denounced a new amateur golf scandal. It is alleged that Japanese and other foreign manufacturers are attempting to boost their sales in Britain by offering free golf equipment to amateurs- Many cases have come to light recently where amateur golfers have been offered extravagant gifts of balls, kits, and sporting clothes. Usually these gifts have been declined, but in some cases they have been accepted.

Henry Cotton said: "Many professionals depend oh sales for the best part of their living, yet hundreds of amateur players get boxes of balls and kit every month out of which they must have a good surplus. It is not the balls, however, which affect professionals most. It is the kit. Many amateur players, who to my knowledge could not possibly afford it, appear on the course in the latest and most costly golf-wear—but it is not bought from the club professionals." It has now been decided that any player proved to have accepted an extravagant gift may be debarred from the amateur championship.