GOLF NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 288, 2 November 1933, Page 12

GOLF NOTES.

KIRKAVOOD’S VISIT,

The Victorian Golf Association is anxious that J. H. Kirkwood and Gene Sarazen should postpone their tour of Australia until the Victorian centenary celebrations in November, 1934. Kirkwood intended visiting Australia during February-March, but it is likely that the southern association will make a determined effort to persuade him to defer the visit for nearly 10 months. Whether Kirkwood will accede to the wishes of the Victorian association is not yet known. There has been a suggestion in Victoria that the leading players ofthe world be invited to compete for prize money, which it is fondly anticipated will be in the vicinitv of £2OOO.

It will be interesting to await Kirkwood’s next move (says an Australian writer). He is aware that thousands of golfers would enjoy the privilege of seeing Gene Sarazen in action. Should they both compete in the “anticipated” £2OOO prize tournament, they would have to pay their expenses from and to America and while they are in Australia, and it would be necessary for them to win tbe event, if they are to be rewarded for their long trip. On the other hand, if they toured Australia giving exhibitions together they would be on a much better footing from a financial standpoint. From all angles it appears as if the earlier tour would be the more profitable, unless the AUctorian association could guarantee them appearance money or make some allowance for the expenses incurred during the trip. ' The Victorian association is hopeful that a British team of amateurs should also visit Melbourne, and a suggestion has been made that during their stay their expenses should be paid. Many consider that only equitable, but it should also apply to visiting professionals, who would be a much greater draw card than the British amateurs. In the event of Kirkwood and Sarazen visiting Australia before the centenary celebrations, there is some doubt as to whether the Victorian clubs would allow the tourists to use their links for exhibition purposes. That hint has been made by a high official of the Victorian golfing world, who sees in the projected visit of the world-famous pair a threat to the success of the Centenary tournament, even though there is at least 10 months between the two events. The non-appearance of the Australian amateur champion, AV. L. Hope, in the ANctorian amateur championship has been the cause of some discussion. After his victory in the Australian championship, many were anxious to see if he could repeat the performance in the State championship. But Hope was late in entering, and, as a result, his entry was refused.

The Victorian Golf Association is very strict in the matter of late entries. It had to bo, for some time ago many prominent players were rather lax in this respect. Hope’s experience should further convince intending players that even the champions will not be shown any leniency in the forwarding of entries.