Women Tennis Champs Suspended

Northern Advocate, 9 April 1947, Page 5

Women Tennis Champs Suspended

(Rec. 10.30.) NEW YORK. April 8. The United States Lawn Tennis Association has suspended Pauline Betz and Mrs Sarah . Palfrey Cooke, present and former tennis champions, from further amateur competition.

The association’s announcement said action was taken on the recommendation of the rules committee, pending final action by the executive committee, because of a letter sent to clubs here and abroad by Elwood Cooke, of Sports Tours, soliciting professional engagements for Miss Betz and Mrs Cooke.

CAME AS SURPRISE The announcement of the suspension of Pauline Betz and Mrs Cooke came as a surprise as far as Mrs Cooke was concerned, because after winning the championship in 1945 she announced her retirement from amateur play and did not defend the ttile in 1946.

The president (Mr Holcombe Ward) explained that the association had never removed her name from the amateur rolls and added that until the present incident arose there had been no complaints that she had violated the -amateur rules.

The Associated Press says the association’s action was without precedent. t

FIRST WOMEN Miss Betz and Mrs Cooke were the first women to receive veuch drastic treatment.

Mr Elwood Cooke, of Sports Tours, is the husband.of Sarah Palfrey Cooke. In his letter to tennis clubs he offered to display Miss Betz and Mrs Cooke in exhibition matches at fees ranging from 350 to 500 dollars. The executive committee does not meet until September, so that Miss Betz cannot compete in the Wightman Cup matches or defend the national title.