The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-26

Below We print an article Of golf
from the pen Of Thomas Bendelow.
the we'll known expert in that game
which will be of interest to those de-
string information on that popular
game. Mr.. Bendelow is Scot. VINO
having learned the game In his IN,
fancy knows it's every detail. He laid
out the links at the country club house
and instructed the members OF the
club in the mysteries OF the game. Az
present Mr.. Bendelow Is residing III
New York. His article Is as follows:
Three or four years ago there was
introduced into America q game which
looked at from every side possible to
the uninitiated promised to have as
hard an uphill fight for recognition
az did the English game OF cricket
when first introduced into this coun-
ny. The game was termed golf, or
more properly "goff," the letter "l'
being silent as in calf, and pronounced
in the vernacular Of the land from
which it emanates 'gowff.' Contrary to
all expectations, however. the game
has become so popular in this country
that it promises to outrank IN favor
the national game Of base ball.
Golf has for many centuries been
the national game Of Scotland and
is at present the most fashionable
game in England and America. No
game stlrs a keener enthusiasm In Its
votaries, and few people who have
ever really given the game fair trial
will be found to deny its extreme fas-
cination. 1t is manly and health
full recreation, bringing into play as
il does, constant exercise OF brain
arms and legs. 1t can be played fast
or slow at pleasure, thus equally
adapting itself to the overfiowing ex-
uberance Of youth, the matured and
tempered strength OF manhood, and
to the gentle decays Of age.
1T is uncertain at what date golf
was introduced in Scotland. but in last
the Scottish parliament 'decreted and
ordained that golf be utterly cryit
down and nocht usit,' 1t having be-
come a serious menace to the then
more important study and practice Of
archery. Again in 1491 a final and
angry illumination was issued which
carried with it a fine OF forty shillings.
1t run this: 'Foteball and golfe for
hidden. Item, it is statut and or
dainit that in nae place Of the realme
there be usit foteball, golfe or other
six improbable sports, under the pain
of fourtie shillings.' This was an edict
of James w. and It Is an evidence of
the extreme fascination Of the game
that very shortly after James Nv him.
self figures prominently In the old
golflng records as liberal patron of
the game.
GOLF CLUBS EVERYWHERE.
To-day we have golf clubs nearly
all over the world as an evidence Of its
great popularity. Golf clubs Of long
standing exist in Bombay. Calcutta,
AnSt lin South Canada on6
in the United States. One can form
some slight idea how the game has
caught on in America when it Is said
that today there are over 400 clubs
in existence here, and every week Is
adding to the already large list, and
1t Is only q question Of time when no
doubt International matches will be
held to decide the question of supre-
macy.
"As a proof that 1t Is no mere fad
one has only got to look at the amount
OF links for the pursuance of the game,
many clubs expense in that one direc-
ton running we'll into five figures.
Ardesley Casino. on the Hudson. cost
over $4,000 to put it in shape for play
ing, let alone cost Of club house and
other necessary equipments. 1t IL all
the rage. One cannot go twenty miles
into the country nowadays without
seeing evidences Of the golf fiend In
some shape or other. You find him in
the street car. in the restaurant at
the seashore. in the mountains, in fact
everywhere. In any large city you
him arrayed in all the splendour "f
the latest importation In golflng cos
tune, bag with clubs slung over his
shoulder, and with that break the
record expression on his countenance
which Is SO common among golfers.
II you chance to have a speaking ac-
Quaintance with him. all the worse, as
it means you have to listen to nothing
but jargon about fooled drives,
schlaffed, brassy and iron shots, which
terms are SO much Greek to the ordir
ary mortal.
County clubs have likewise caught
the golf fever. and today there is not a
country club Of any note. which can
not boast Of a nine-hole or an eighteen
hole golf course. and of its large num-
ber Of votaries. And Scranton Is in no.
wise behind. Today 1t has as sporty q
nine hole course as can be foundin any
part Of the country. the natural loca-
tion OF the ground being all that could
be desired for indulging in the royal
sport, abounding as 1t does with creeks
anu DunkerS, anu PROVIDED IN aQQltlOD
with fair supply Of gorse and brush
all Of which constitute the main haz-
ards of the game. in the avoidance OF
which skill Is especially shown, and
without fair provision of these nc
golfing links or green can be held to
approach the ideal standard.
THE length Of the entire course Is
something over 1900 yards, and the
holes have been named as follows
l. The Vista; 2, Dead Easy; 8, Hard
Luck; 4. Red Top; 6. Straighaway; 6
The Hollow: Z, The Lottery; 8, Pine
are the same. thus giving players q
better chance of acquiring knowledge
of the game in all its fullness, and like.
wise enabling them to hold their end
up in match play with the best Of the
company.
"A great deal Of enthusiasm exists