Evening star., 1949-02-15
British Date Conflict,
Holiday Jeopardize
Annual Links Event
By MerreII WhittIesey

Georges Country Club are unSatiS-
factory. and there is only an out
side chance the $4,000 tourna-
ment will be held here this year,
Pro AL Houghton asserted today
Houghton expressed surprise at
the release of the summer tourna-
ment schedule by PGA Tourna-
ment Chairman George Schneiter,
and added the club had not
signed any contracts and was not
bound to take the tournament.
The club has been trying to
sell the tournament to an outside
organization, but has not been
successful. Prince Georges off,
lcials have been dickering with the
Local chapter of the National
Junior Chamber of Commerce,
but the latter group virtually has
decided not to undertake the pro-
motion.
Prince Georges has objected to
the $4,000 minimum summer
purse since negotiations for the
tournament first were opened.
However. all other tournaments
announced today carry at least
a $4,000 purse. and it Is unlikely
the PGA would lower the sum for
one club.
Lost Money Last Year.
I'VE lost money last year."
Houghton said. and put up only
s12,500 in prize money. This year
it will take $4,000 to put it on
with $4,000 in prizes. $500 for
the clinic and at least $4,000 in
expenses"
Although the club asked for
later dates after bad weather was
encountered last year in late April.
the July l. 2. 8, week end is
not satisfactory. With a three
day holiday, club officials figure
too many Washingtonians will be
out of town and that the tourna-
ment that week end would be
risk.
Another drawback is that the
British Open is scheduled July 4-8
and that will rob the field here
Of Bobby Locke, runnerup last
year, Frank Stranahan, the Brit
ish Amateur champion, and at
least a half dozen top stars that
plan to make the trip to Britain.
With Ben Hogan out and COM
petition from the British Open,
what are they going to guarantee
us in the way of players if we
guarantee them $15,000?" Hough-
ton asked.
The summer schedule is filled
from May IL through August 81
with no vacancies. Thus the tour
nament will be held here July
IA, or not at all.
Schneiter Is Travelling.
Although Schneiter could not
>be reached today, as he is travel
/ ing between San Antonio and
Houston. the hesitation Of the
Prince Georges Club to agree to
terms at this late date is not ex-
pected to please the PGA Tourna-
ment Committee. It probably is
too late to sell the tournament
elsewhere. although Schneiter
said earlier he had more requests
for $4,000 tournaments than
dates.
Lewis and Cliff Eisele and Wal
ter Bogley. co-owners of the club,
and Houghton spent the entire
day yesterday attempting to
reach decision, but Houghton
admitted today that prospects of
the third annual event were not
good.
The National Capital Open
broke about even as a $4,000
event in 1947, the Prince Georges
pro said. Houghton said he per-
sonally was for the tournament
but he hesitated to recommend
something that might cost his
club members several thousand
dollars.
If Prince Georges cancels the
tournament after the summer
schedule has been announced, it
probably will have a negative ef-
feet on the clubs bid for the Ma
tional Open championship. or the
PGA within the next three or
four years.
/ Meanwhile, Richmond is going
ahead with plans for the National
PGA championship to be held
May 1881 at Hermitage Country
Club. Prize money in the PGA
will be 100000. double that asked
of Prince Georges.
The summer schedule:
Roehelle May e1s. Rennd o6G Robin New
May Ia-@a-Philsdeiphia u inauir.r Open
inyitational, I1s add Chestnut Hill, Pa. Purse,
,,laay May 2%5-31aaPGA CHAMPIONSHIPS, Rich
t,4inns sqns 5C9lonia Morns National Open In
euIua lyme S,d a,11mu. doo s. Open, Medinah, Ill.
I EuISe' SlObuU.
June 16-l9-Motor City Open Invita-
ttonal Detroit, Mich. Purse, $4,000
June 22-25-Canadian Open, Toronto
Ontario. Purse, $4,000
July 1-4-National Capital Open Invita-
tional. Prince Georges County Club, Land
over, Md. Purse, $4,000
July 7-10-Reading Open Invitational,
Readins, Pa: Purse, $4,000
:, July l4-17-Dapper Dan Open Invita-
tional Pittsburgh, Pa. Purse, $4,000.
July 21-24---1nverness Round Robin f.
Ball, Toledo, Ohio. Purse. $4,000.
July 2s-31-Western Open, st. Paul,
MINI. Purse, $4,000
August 6-a--All-American, Niles, Ill.
Purse. 100000.
August 11-14-World championship
Niles. H. Purse. S35.20O.
August 1s-31-Grand Rapids, Mich,
Open. Purse, $4,000.
Ten years ago-Lloyd Waner
of the Pirates and Phil Cavar-
retta of the Cubs signed their