GOLF OVERSEAS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 88, 11 March 1930, Page 7

GOLF OVERSEAS.

“CHEAP GALLERY.” KIRKWOOD S ATTITUDE. SYDNEY, March 10. The Killara Golf Club officials were treated to a bombshell in the shape of an ultimatum from Kirkwood, to the effect that he would not play to a “cheap gallery.” He said that the price of admission, originally 10s, was reduced to ss, and that he was not consulted on the matter.

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 10s to see the world’s best play, after lie 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 so-called “swankiest” in the city makes the ex-Australian’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 the champions in action. As a result of Kirkwood s attitude, the Killara Club 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 match on Wednesday for charity. The committee 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 ss, and that the whole of the proceeds be given to the North Shore Hospital. Kirkwood stated in an interview 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 10s,” Kirkwood added, “I do not care what they charge at Killara as long as I get my guarantee. I cannot break faith with the Melbourne neople who guaranteed me 01000 for &ve matches, and when I play elsewhere, the gate charge is to be 10s.” It is understood that Kirkwood has agreed to pay Hagen £3500 for the tour.