AUSTRALIAN GOLF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23431, 22 August 1939, Page 17

AUSTRALIAN GOLF

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE LADY'S ENTRY REFUSED The rejection of Miss "Babe" Didrikson's entry for the Australian open golf championship, which will commence at tho Royal Melbourne course next Saturday, is deplored by golfers generally and professionals particularly, states an Australian writer. There is also adverse comment 011 tho fact that the entries of several leading Sydney amateurs have been rejected. The only explanation given by the Royal Melbourne Club was that the field was considered too large to cope with in one day. Presumably Miss Didrikson's entry was rejected because she is a woman, continues the writer. Such an action makes the name "open" a misnomer. The rejection of her entry is doubly unfortunate in view of tho courtesy which is extended to overseas professionals who enter for the United States open championship. N. von Nida entered for and competed in the recent United States championship. He was quite unknown there, but bis entry was accepted and, further, he was paid the courtesy of not having to qualify for tho event —a privilege which is granted to all overseas entrants. "1 am disappointed that her entry has been refused, especially after the way I was accepted without question, was welcomed and made to feel at home in the United States," said von Nida. The claim that a field of 182 is too unwieldy is not borne out by facts, concluded the writer. At this time of the year daylight lasts until'about six o'clock, which would allow ample time to handle such a field.