The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-17
ST. ANDREWS AND SHINNEcoCK.
A Champion or the Former Talks to mr.
Pnrriah.

- M 90 INV "suV IN ~ ~
Pnrriah.
To THE EpIToR OF THE SuN-Sir:I have read
a letter written by Mr.. S. L. Parrish describing
the origin of golf at Shinnecock and st. An.
drew's, which was recently published In your
paper.
l recall with much pleasure tho match be-
tween Mr.. Parrish and me to which he refers,
and also the fact, apparently forgotten by him.
that 1 beat him, 4 up and 8 to play. I do not re-
fer to my victory as an evidence of golflng
superiority over Mr.. Parrish; at the timo when
tho historic contest referred to took place I was
an older golfer than the winner OF the Oakland
Cup, for example, is to-day, while Mr.. Parrish
had been practicing. 1t seems, for only n few
months. Moreover. ISlave TO admit that when
1 met him on the links in 1892 I succumbed to
his superior skill. l have always felt it to DO
wise to let the score stand 'even up"
1 regret very much that the facts. as I have
always known them and as they are stated by
Mr.. Parrish. are such that st. Andrews cannot
have the satisfaction OF thinking that 1t inspired
ing the quick contagion OF golf in America.
clubs need not DO told that many golfers. now
leaders in these clubs. learned their game on
There is a trifing indefniteness OF statement
In Mr.. Parrish's account OF the condition Of the
st. Andrews Club at the tine referred TO. This
40 ptopaolN WI " hlS ldltll
with me-: for it is known to all golfers that the
mind OF the vanouished Is. for n considerable
time after defeat. in no condition to apprehend
and retain details not connected with the I'M
merited %calamities of the recent past.
He speaks of golf being played at Yonkers by
half a dozen or more gentlemen under Scotch
influence" Now. I remember distinctly that
VIC talked over the past history OF our respec-
tive clubs at the time, and | must have Informed
him that st. Andrews had been regularly organ
lied for over two years tsince Nov. -. 1888.
that its membership was twenty, that its mem.
bers paid regular entrance fees and dues. and
that II had the ordinary officers and organiza.
ton of a club.
Having supplemented Mr.. Parrish's state
ment in this particular, let me dwell for a
moment upon the charming picture that no
delineates of the golfing situation in the
year 1891.
He shows US two pioneer clubs OF independent
orRanization-one. OF earlier birth. unincor.
poratcd and without a clubhouse; the younger
Incorporated, with q clubhouse in course OF
construction and with "unshiftiDR' links; tho
younger Ia native American hands but glowing
with a fire lit at Biarritz. Each. now hoary
with age, then in tho flush OF youth. Each un-
conscious Of the other. but enthusiastic for golf
and a centre of contaRion-an original and inde-
pendent culture Of the golfng bacillus.
Only one point is imperfectly brought out. Mr..
Parrish writes Of the St. Andrews members
that when. ut my invitation, he visited their
links they hung their coats on a friendly apple
tree; hut he leaves us in the dark AS to what
Shinnecock Golf Club Of their coats at the period
under confederation and pending the completion
OF their clubhouse.
II this subject can he cleared up we will have
which will. I believe, DO satisfactory to all golf.
JOHN c. TEN EYcK.
NEW YORK, Oct. 10. 1897.