Sun-Herald Tournament

(Redirected from Sun Tournament)

The Sun-Herald Tournament was a golf tournament held in Australia from 1924 to 1926. It was the first Australian tournament with significant prize money and was run along the lines of the British News of the World Match Play. The first event in 1924 was sponsored by The Sun newspaper in Sydney and was called the Sun Tournament. In 1925 and 1926 the events were co-sponsored by The Herald newspaper in Melbourne. The 1925 event was held in Melbourne and was called the Herald-Sun tournament while 1926 the event returned to Sydney and was called the Sun-Herald Tournament. The 1926 event was combined with the Australian Professional Championship.[1]

Sun-Herald Tournament
Tournament information
LocationAustralia
Established1924
Final year1926
Final champion
Frank Eyre

Format

Qualification was by a series of 36-hole stroke-play competitions; one for each state. There were a pre-determined number of qualifiers from each event. A total of 16 players qualified for the final stage with the winner determined by a knock-out competition. The final stage lasted four days, with all matches over 36 holes. There were consolation events for players losing in the early rounds.

Prize money

Total prize money for each event was £500. The winner received £195 and a £5 gold medal. The losing-finalist received £100 with the losing semi-finalist each getting £40. All 16 players reaching the final stage received a minimum of £5.

Winners

YearWinnerCountryVenueMargin
of victory
Runner-upRef
Sun Tournament
1924Carnegie Clark  AustraliaRoyal Sydney37 holes Walter Clark[2]
Herald-Sun Tournament
1925Tom Howard  AustraliaRoyal Melbourne3 & 2 Walter Spicer[3]
Sun-Herald Tournament
1926Frank Eyre  AustraliaThe Australian Golf Club6 & 5 Arthur Le Fevre[4]

1924 Sun Tournament

Qualifying

Four qualifying events were held. 1 place was allocated to South Australia, 7 to Victoria, 7 to New South Wales and 1 to Queensland. One Tasmanian golfer travelled to Victoria to try to qualify.

Final stage

The final stage was played from 7 to 10 July at Royal Sydney Golf Club. The complete draw was announced on 3 July.[9]

Source:[10][11][12][13][14]

First round
7 July
Second round
8 July
Semi-finals
9 July
Final
10 July
Arthur Le Fevre
Tom Howard3&2Tom Howard
Jock YoungDan Soutar2&1
Dan Soutar6&4Dan Soutar
Walter Spicer2 upCarnegie Clark3&2
Arthur SpenceWalter Spicer
Reg JuppCarnegie Clark10&8
Carnegie Clark6&5Carnegie Clark37h
Ted CatesWalter Clark
Fred Popplewell11&10Fred Popplewell4&3
Rowley Banks1 upRowley Banks
Charlie CampbellFred Popplewell
Rufus StewartWalter Clark8&7
Walter Clark3&2Walter Clark11&10
Barney Keating2&1Barney Keating
Les McManus

The final was tied after 36 holes and went to extra holes. At the first extra hole both players were about 10 feet from the hole in two. Walter putted first and finished 9 inches from the hole. Carnegie putted next, just having room to pass Walter's ball. The putt ended on the lip of the hole, directly between Walter's ball and the hole; a "dead stymie". Walter tried to chip over Carnegie's ball but he knocked Carnegie's ball into the hole, giving Carnegie a three and winning the match.[15][16]

1925 Herald-Sun Tournament

Qualifying

Two qualifying events were held. 8 places were allocated to a qualifying event in Melbourne and 8 to another in Sydney. Professionals from Queensland were included in the Sydney event, while those from South Australia and Tasmania played in Melbourne.[17]

Final stage

The final stage was played from 6 to 9 July at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. The complete draw was made on 29 June.[20]

Source:[21][22][23][24]

First round
6 July
Second round
7 July
Semi-finals
8 July
Final
9 July
Walter Baldwin3&2
Barney KeatingWalter Baldwin
Walter Clark1 upWalter Clark4&3
Ernie WoodWalter Clark
Fred Popplewellw/oWalter Spicer9&8
Ted SmithFred Popplewell
Walter Spicer4&3Walter Spicer3&2
Billy IlesWalter Spicer
Don SpenceTom Howard3&2
Rowley Banks37hRowley Banks6&5
Dan Soutar6&5Dan Soutar
Steve HolderRowley Banks
Will CorryTom Howard7&6
Tom Howard1 upTom Howard37h
Arthur Le FevreFrank Eyre
Frank Eyre5&4

1926 Sun-Herald Tournament

Qualifying

Four qualifying events were held. 2 place was allocated to South Australia, 6 to Victoria, 6 to New South Wales and 2 to Queensland. Tasmanians could play in the Victorian event.

Final stage

The final stage was played from 18 to 21 October at the Australian Golf Club. The complete draw was announced on 6 October.[28]

Source:[29][30][31][32]

First round
18 October
Second round
19 October
Semi-finals
20 October
Final
21 October
Billy Iles
Ted Smith7&6Ted Smith
Arthur SpenceArthur Le Fevre1 up
Arthur Le Fevre6&5Arthur Le Fevre2 up
Dick CarrDan Soutar
Don Thomson11&9Don Thomson
Dan Soutar4&3Dan Soutar3&2
Vic JamesArthur Le Fevre
Don Spence7&5Frank Eyre6&5
Rowley BanksDon Spence
Carnegie Clark6&5Carnegie Clark2&1
Fred McDowallCarnegie Clark
Frank Eyre6&5Frank Eyre3&2
Willie HarveyFrank Eyre5&4
Horace Boorer3&2Horace Boorer
Will Corry

References