VON NIDA'S FIRST WIN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 83, 31 December 1937, Page 12

VON NIDA'S FIRST WIN

11 YEA.kSOLD; BAREF00TED WON • CADDIES' TITLE Among those things which have really done something for Queensland golf may be numberecl the Queensland Caddies' Championship, inspired . some years ago by well-known golfing seribe, H. E. O, Green, and made possible by the generosity of his employers, the Courier-Mail Newgpapor Co„ says a Brisbane writer in the Sydney Referee. It was inaugurated in 1927, the year that marks the initial appearance on the golfing firmament of Norman von Nida, a shoe and stockingless lad of 11 and a-half years, who played David with the Goliaths — to some purpose. Von Nida won again the riext year. As it happened, the writer accompanied von Nida and H. Eaves on their final play-off of that 1927 event, and an incident on the 17th. hoie lingers in the "mind still. Eaves, one down, was faced with about a two and a-half foot putt on the 17th. for his par 5, against von Nida's three-fooler, when the latter brightly suggested they should call that hole a half and gQ on. It was quite typical of the von Nida brand of confidence, that he should suggest that Eaves would be gorry when he declined with thanks; and, he was! For von Nida holes his threefooter and Eaves missed his shorter putt and so came success to Ihe little fellow by 2 and 1. If only to follow their prowess in the golfing world of after years, it is interesting to chronicle the Courier Cup caddie winners: 1927 N. von Nida, 1928 N. von Nida, 1929 M. Hodgson (Indooroopilly), 1930 T, Wright (Royal Queensland), 1931 E, W. Anderson (Sandgate), 1932 R. Want (Royal Queensland), 1933 H. Oberg (Royal Queensland), 1934 E. Woolfe (Gailes), 1935 C. Ide (Brisbane), 1936 B. O'Sullivan (Victoria Park), and 1937 L. Gillander (Victoria Park). N. von Nida, E. W. Anderson have become pros. The first-named was once amateur champion of Queensland, and three times open champion. and professional title-holder of N.S.W Anderson has been twice closc champion of Queensland, and is the present professional champion. Want has yet to break through in big golf, but ranks ameng the eariy probables and at the pro, tourney a month. back out-distanced his fcllows in an organised long-driving contest. T. Wright and H. Oberg have continued in the game as amateurs and have been respectively champions of the Nudge and Sandgate Clubs. Another ex-caddie, M. Unnasch, who was runner-up to Woolfe in his suqeessful year, plays with the Wynnum Club, where he, too, has been ihe holder of the club title.