GOLF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18975, 28 March 1924, Page 6

GOLF

Received March 27, 8.45 p.m. NEW YORK, March 26. A message from Comden, South Carolina, says that White and Hannon, in a 36-holes exhibition game, defeated Havers and Ockendcn, four up and three to play.—Aus.-.N.Z.C.A. GOLF STANDARD A BIG £5OO TOURNAMENT.

The Sydney Sun’s £5OO tournament will bring Australian golf into line with Great Britain and America, wrote D. G. Soutar, the Sydney player, last week. It will create an incentive for every professional to devote more time, to practice and be able to give of his best when the convincing time comes round.

Up to the present the opportunities have been sadly lacking and the sport has suffered in consequence. Joe Kirkwood early realised that the ordinary routine of a professional’s life in Australia could provide only a decent living. So he decided to devote his attention solely to the playing side of the game, and the world knows the result. His deeds have placed Australia on the map, but Australian golf has not benefited one iota. That it has hot done so is a reflection upon those people who are in the position to do a lot for the game. When Kirkwood and Hagen offered to tour Australia upon ridiculously easy terms, the offer should have been accepted. We would then have had the opportunity of watching two of the world’s best players: and watching good players is the best education of the lot.

The tournament promoted by the Sun will give talent its opportunity and the day is not far distant when circumstances will compel our best men to be matched against the world’s best. The raw material abounds in Australia. Kirkwoods cannot be produced on every course, but the species is far from being extinct. Opportunity will bring champions to light. CONTROL OF TOURNAMENT. The tournament wdll be controlled by the Professional Golfers’ Association of Australasia. Qualifying stages will be held, 36 holes stroke play. Queensland and South Australia will each be entitled to one representative while New South Wales and Victoria will each have seven. Personally I think that is too many. Eight players to qualify would be qujie sufficient. Queensland and South Australia could still retain their representation, but New South Wales and Victoria could be cut down by half. Australia is a land of magnificent distances and it is doubtful if all those who qualified could see their way to take part in the final stages. Forfeits in the final stages disclose a weakness, and if that weakness can be foreseen so much the better. A smaller number to qualify would mean disappointment to some, but better play on the part of the others, and that is the main objective.