British Golf Scandal

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 8

British Golf Scandal

GIFTS TO AMATEURS. LONDON, Jan. 26. Britain's most famous professional golfer, Henry Cotton, 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-sport-ing clothes. Usually these gifts have been, declined, but in some cases they have been accepted. Colton said: “Many professionals depend on sales for the best part of their living, yet hundreds of amateur players receive 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 itj 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.