Seventy-five years ago, Norman Von Nida – rated the greatest Australian golfer of his time – came to blows with a fellow competitor during a tournament in Texas.
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald, February 16, 1948
Von Nida In Golf Course Scene – Blows Struck
HARLINGEN (Texas), Feb. 15 (A. A.P.). Australian Norman von Nida and American professional Henry Ransom came to blows on Saturday during the third round of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Open.
Norman Von Nida at the 1949 Australian Open Championship in Sydney.Credit:Harry Martin, Sydney Morning Herald
According to Tony Butler, professional at Harlingen golf course, Ransom was later suspended for two weeks “out of courtesy to a foreigner.”
Butler added: “The little Australian was angry that everybody over here didn’t bow and scrape to him, and because he hasn’t been shooting very good golf.”
Von Nida, according to Ransom, said that Ransom should be charged a stroke on one hole because Ransom tapped the ball before putting.
There was an exchange of hot words and the argument, renewed later, ended in the two golfers wrestling on the ground until other players separated them.
Later Ransom denied Von Nida’s assertion that he had tapped the ball.
He said he resented remarks Von Nida had made about American golfers, and “three hours of it was too much.”
Von Nida stated: “We were discussing the rule, and I thought it was finished. Ransom hit me and I struck him and I hope there will be no further trouble. I don’t want this incident to hurt golf and the P.G.A.”
There has been general dissension among competitors at the rules governing the tournament.
Harvey W. Yale, sports editor of the “Valley Morning Star” in Harlingen, last night telegraphed to the Australian Associated Press in New York opinions of the clash between Von Nida and Ransom, gathered from other competitors.
Yale stated: “The consensus of opinion of several touring professionals is that Von Nida, failing to hit his stride since the winter tour began at Los Angeles on January 2, has been ill-disposed toward his fellow-golfers and conditions in United States golf.
“It seems that Von Nida, as a leading money-winner in England in 1947, resents the lack of attention shown him.
“His complaint is that Bobby Locke, the South African, has received all the acclaim.
“Von Nida refused to sign Ransoms card after finishing the 18th hole, and they tangled by the scoreboard, rolling around on the ground before police broke them up.”
