AMATEUR STATUS IN GOLF
SALESMAN IN GOLF BUSINESS A PROFESSIONAL
A cablednnountes that the entry of J. B. Stevenson in the Eden tournament at St. Andrews, which ho won in 1933, has been rejected because he as employed by a firm of golf ball manufacturers, and that the rule depriving employees of golfing goods linns of their amateur status had not previuosly been enforced. The rule states that players shall not be eligible to play in any amateur competition who, being employed by firms, companies or individuals interested in the manufacture or sale of golfing goods, play in golf tournaments or competitions with the object of furthering their employers’ interests. It should perhaps be pointed out that to begin with, the R. and A Club, the governing body of golf, does not declare any player a professional, further than laying down certain regulations as to what constitutes a professional in the sport. On the other hand, it does act on lhe question of amateurism on any case where a ruling is requested. If
no formal action for a ruling is made, no action is taken. When the new rule came into operation at the beginning of the year, the well-known British amateur, Jock McLean, was employed by a firm of golf ball manufacturers. He resigned immediately. As was pointed out when the rule became operative, some anomalies are disclosed. Under it, a golf ball maker can keep his amateur status, but Lhe employee, who sells it for him, loses his. There does not seem to be much sense in that. ►Some firm's have got out of the difficulty by putting the employee on the board, thus making him technically an employer, but these subterfuges are open to question. And unfortunately for him the question arises only when a player is in championship class. If he is of the “rabbit” variety he may sell any number of golf balls for his manufacturing employer and still retain his amateur status, for uo one cares scmuch, about him as to raise any question. about it.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 204, 31 August 1935, Page 4
Word Count
342AMATEUR STATUS IN GOLF Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 204, 31 August 1935, Page 4
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