GOLE TOURNEYS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 47, 25 February 1939, Page 7

GOLE TOURNEYS

CENTENNIAL YEAR PROGRAMME APPROVED A draft programme of the golf tournaments that are to be conducted as part of the Centennial celebrations was approved, with the exception of the actual dates, which have yet to be decided, by the council of the New Zealand Golf Association at a special meeting recently. Auckland advised that the dates suggested, October 27 and 28, would not altogether be suitable because of the arrival dates of steamers, and suggested Monday and Tuesday, October 30 and 31. Christchurch could not approve of November 6 and 7 and asked for November 2 and 3. As this (considering the later dates asked for by Auckland) would not give any

time for practice at Shirley, it was decided to ask Auckland if its dates could be made one week earlier, October 23 and 24. Vessels arrive at Auckland from America on October 16 and from England and Australia on October 20.

Regarding prize money it was agreed that, the prize for the first professional should be approximately 70 per cent, of the total for the event. Thus, based on £3OO at Auckland and Christchurch, the first professional would get £2OO. Auckland, however, hopes to increase its total to £5OO. At Wellington the first professional in the open will get £5OO and the winner of the professional championship £350. Winners of the professional foursomes will receive £75 each. Under this programme it will be possible for a man to win £1325, with the possibilities of more in the event of Auckland prize money being increased over the £3OO minimum. Amateur Trophies. It was reported that at. a meeting of the executive committee of the English Golf Union last year, regarding trophies for amateur events, it had been decided to recommend to all concerned that where vouchers were given in lieu of prizes, the following conditions should be printed on the back of the voucher: — "This voucher is .issued by the club in place of a prize, and unless authorised by the committee, it will only be discharged if it is presented for exchange of goods, to the value of the prize to the professional of a golf culb. In every case, the goods purchased to its value shall be of such a nature as will enable the recipient to retain his or her amateur status, and the committee reserves the right to be satisfied on this point before paying the account.”

The executive committee also expressed grave concern at the excessive value of prizes sometime offered in open and other amateur events, and decided to remind all committees and others responsible for the conduct of such events that the guiding principle in fixing the value of the prizes should be that no amateur golfing event should be financially worth winning.

The council approved the principle of the recommendation, and hopes that clubs will act in accordance with the spirit of it.

The Fox Glacier Club, Weheka, was elected a member of the association. A letter was received from the Manawatu Golf Club regarding the playing of the North and South Island close championships. The Invercargill Club stated it would be pleased to conduct the South Island event at the Otatara links at Easter. The secretary (Mr. G. O. Sutton) reported that W. H. Lloyd would not be available as the association's travelling professional. J. A. Clements wrote accepting the South Island position again this season. Those present at the meeting -.ere Messrs. W. A. Kieiy (chairman), J. C. Peacock, W. E. A. Gill, C. A. Burgess, J. H. Drake. A. R. Sclanders, and the secretary.