The True Temper Foursomes Tournament was a professional golf tournament played in West Bromwich, England. The event was held just once, in 1939, and had total prize money of £1,000. The tournament was a 36-hole foursomes event played on 3 and 4 May. It was won by Dick Burton and Fred Robson in a three-pair 18-hole playoff on 5 May. "True Temper" was a brand of steel golf shafts.
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | West Bromwich, England |
| Established | 1939 |
| Course(s) | Sandwell Park Golf Club |
| Format | Foursomes stroke play (36 holes) |
| Prize fund | £1,000 |
| Month played | May |
| Final year | 1939 |
| Final champion | |
| Dick Burton and Fred Robson | |
| Location map | |
  Sandwell Park GC Location in England  Sandwell Park GC Location in the West Midlands | |
Detail edit
Pairs were decided by a draw. The players being divided into two groups, those under and over 32 years of age. There was some confusion because of the introduction of the fourteen-club rule on 1 May. Because the PGA had not received official notification from the R&A of the ratification of the rule change, it was decided not to enforce the new rule, although many of the players chose to only play with 14 clubs.[1][2]
John Burton and Henry Busson led after the first day after a 68. Both were brothers of Ryder Cup players: Dick Burton and Jack Busson.[3]
The contest ended in a tie with three pairs tied on 142: Dick Burton and Fred Robson, Henry Cotton and Basil Shepard, Reg Cox and Lambert Topping. The overnight leaders, Burton and Busson, faded with a 76 and finished sixth.[4]
The playoff was played in heavy rain and only attracted a few spectators. Burton and Robson scored 71, Cotton and Shepard scored 75 while Cox and Topping scored 79.[5] The first prize as £200, with £100 for second and £70 for third.
Winners edit
| Year | Winners | Country | Venue | Score | Margin of victory |
Runners-up | Winner's share (£) |
Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Dick Burton and Fred Robson |
 England England |
Sandwell Park Golf Club | 142 | Playoff (18 holes) |
Henry Cotton and Basil Shepard Reg Cox and Lambert Topping |
200 (pair) |
[4][5] |
References edit
- ^ ""True Temper" £1,000 tournament". The Times. 4 May 1939. p. 6.
- ^ "Fourteen-club rule now in operation". The Glasgow Herald. 3 May 1939. p. 21.
- ^ "Northern couple lead in novel tournament". The Glasgow Herald. 4 May 1939. p. 2.
- ^ a b "World record in big golf – Another tourney ends in tie". The Glasgow Herald. 5 May 1939. p. 22.
- ^ a b "Robson hero in triple tie – Veteran's deadly putting". The Glasgow Herald. 6 May 1939. p. 4.