Open Season Here For Pros' Expenses
OAKMONT. PaÛ_ June 16ÛÓrGolfers are complaining about inflation, too. It used to be that they had to give a caddie S60 a week to carry a bag in the Open. Now itÛªs $125 a week. The rule of thumb is that the caddie gets 3 per cent of the playerÛªs winnings. up to $2,000; 4 per cent between $2,000 and $10,-000, and 5 per cent over $10,000. Some golfers say their expenses have jumped from $300 to $900 a week.</br></br>The Open gives a token $500 consolation prize to those golfers who fail to survive after 36 holes but everything has gone upÛÓ transportation, food and rooms. It costs golfers like Dean Beman and Lee Elder, who' play at least 20 tournaments a year, around $20,000 for expenses.</br></br>Gary Player had as his guest in Johannesburg last year Delvin Miller, the owner-breeder-trainer-driver of harness racing fame. ÛÏPlayer was paying me back for letting him sit in on the start of a harness race,Û MillerNsaid. ÛÏGary said that it was one of the greatest thrills of his life.Û</br></br>Player had WashingtonÛªs Elder as his guest in South Africa in 1971. Because of South AfricaÛªs apartheid policy, the visit attracted world-wide attention. Player, a dedicated worker for racial equality, was proud of Elder. ÛÏLee got a tremendous ovation wherever lie went," said Player. ÛÏHe proved he was capable of holding his own with anybody.Û</br></br>Charley Sifford six-putted one hole in ThursdayÛªs opening round of the U.S. Open here and wound up with an 83. Dave Stock-ton was needling him after the round and said: ÛÏCharley, I wouldnÛªt get too discouraged- You could win the award as the most improved golfer in the Open if you can break 80.Û