GOLF BOMBSHELL

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 33, 11 March 1930, Page 3

GOLF BOMBSHELL

United Press Assn. Electric Cable. Copyright

KIRKWOOD REFUSES TO PLAY. AGREEMENT LATER REACHED.

SYDNEY. March 10. The Killara G-o-lf Club officials received a bombshell in the form of an ultimatum from Kirkwood that he will not play to a cheap gallery. He says the price for admission was orignally ten shillings and was reduced to five without consulation. Kirkwood and Hagen were billed to play an exhibition match on Wednesday. but the former's truculent attitude is likely to upset the programme. He demands a guarantee of a fixed sum, and complains that if people cannot alford ten shillings to see the ivorld's best play after they have dropped thousands of dollars to come here, tlien those people should not expect such a treat. The fact that the Killara Club is one of the elite of the city makes the Australian's outburst more amusing in the publi'c eyes. The club's object in lowering the price was to give the greatest numher of enthusiasts a chance of seeing the champions in action. Later. — As a result of Kirkwood's attitude the Killara Club had intended to declare the exhibition match with Hagen off. Kirkwood had a consulatation with club officials and a_ compromise was reached by agreeing to fiold a match on AVednesday for charity. The committee issued a statement that it would not allow Kirkwood or anybody else to put a pistol at their heads. It has now been decided that a four some will he played. Tlie admission charge will be five shillings and the whole of the proceeds are to be given to the" Northcote Hospital. Interviewed. Kirkwood explained that all his matches kere were arranged on the other side of the world. "I understood they were all on tlie basis of a minimum guarantee of £200 per match, and where a gate was charged it was to he ten shillings. I do not care what they charge at Killara as long as I get my guarantee. I cannot break faith with tlie Melbourne people, who gparanteed me £1000 for five matches, and when I play elsewhere the gate charge is to be ten shillings." It is understood Kirkwood has agreed to pay Hagen £3500 for the tour.