WOMEN GOLFERS REVOLT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 4

WOMEN GOLFERS REVOLT

■: WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL? PAM BARTON’S BOOK IN QUESTION BREAK WITH ST. ANDREWS HINTED AT The bogey—what is the definition of an amateur—has caused almost a revolt among women golfers. They threatened to decide- the question for themselves, and, if necessary, even break away from St. Andrews. Three years ago they submitted it to the Royal and Ancient Club, and the latter are still apparently considering it as it affects men as well as women. “We are tired of the delay,” the women said. “We want the definition to have a ring of honesty. It is living in a false paradise to imagine that no amateur makes money out of the game.” Representatives of 150,000 women golfers considered the question, and many of them were openly prepared to allow players to commercialise their skill in certain directions and still retain their amateur status. For instance, they would not debar them from writing on the game. Their solution was to define the professional, and to class all who did not come within it as amateurs. It was pointed out that, if this principle were

adopted, it might mean that while a male member of a club was declared a professional, a woman member engaged in the same business or undertaking similar work would have all the rights of an amateur. But the advocates of the new definition could not be persuaded to withdraw it until Mr. Norman Boasc, the chairman of the Royal and Ancient Club, and a vice-president of the Women’s Union, addressed them. He stated that they had the definition under review, and he appealed to them to be patient just a little longer and promised them a decision. They agreed to take this course, but it was only on the understanding that if the R. and A. ruling did not satisfy them they would reconsider it.

Ihe most notable example of a woman golfer losing her amateur status unwittingly was Miss Enid Wilson, winner of the ladies’ Open British championship in 1931, 1932 and 1933.

Just prior to the 1934 Open she was informed that she would not be allowed to defend her title. Although no reason was given, it was understood that the union’s decision was a sequel to Miss Wilson contributing articles regularly to the Press. She claimed that she was mtitied to retain hei amateur status on the ground that golf journalism was her recognised and usual profession.

The same controversy has revolved round Miss Pam Barton. A proposal has been submitted to the Royal and Ancient Club on behalf of Surrey and Kent to the effect that “a professional is one who carries clubs for hire or receives any consideration directly or indirectly for playing or teaching the game —with the exception of instruction by writing—or playing in a match tournament. Ah others are amateurs." If this is passed the ban on playerwriters receiving payment for instructional and technical articles will be lifted. Miss rant Barton, who is 20 years o.d, alter winning the British and American women's open championship., published a book, most of which was instructional matter on how to play golf. . She was officially informed that it payr.ie.-.t v.as received for this, her amateui yiatus would be forfeited. 1 lie Hoy.■! and Ancient's ruling has ■ :r> accepted by the Ladies' de:..', ng a professional as one ■ ii c. played for a money prize or rcieivca payment for playing or teaching the game." this bans any amateur who has re- ' ceived remuneration for leaching cither by demonstrations, lectures films or articles. . M;ss ,T. llarl.gan, surprise omission tom the Australian ladies' tennis te tin i O gO abroad (Il)- Vt’cir, Will ITiak*' t'b’ i ! T to pla>. til Wimbledon. She will not 1 t'.’vel with the team at any cage,! javeUiny. purely as a private indi- 1 .■iauak The gate takings and attendances at .lie athletics part ot the Empire Games verc: -Saturday, February 5, 26,599, H 979 ss; Monday, February 7, 7287, 1282 19s 6d; Thursday, February 10, )(:94, £328 Ss 6d; Saturday, February I 12. 23.890. £1725 12s; totals. 66,870, 14316 ss. These attendances fell below be expectations of Games officials, of newspaper advertising is held o be largely responsible for this.