New-York tribune., 1898-12-26
SPORTS AND
SPORTSMEN.
GOLF.
HOLIDAY TOURNAMENTS AT CRESCENT
AND OAKLAND.

RALrvsRoL OFFERS WINTER cuP-LAcRENCE
HARBoR's NEW COUNTRY cINB-THE
SPEED OF GOLF BALLS.
The weather Bureau has predicted that 1t VIII be
clear and cold to-day with little wind so the goif-
ers may prepare for plenty OF fun III the ope" a''
Although II is too late in the season for generai IN
dugence in outdoor sports there will be ittie dm'-
mutton in activity al the various links and seVera'
interesting matches are promised. Al the Crescent
Athletic Club OF Bay Ridge. there will be driving
contest for cup presented by X 0phan, prsa pres,
The competicn viii take place from tee Nc oyer yer
special course stsked out by James Laisn; the e
handicap sweepstakes will be arranged over the ne y
nine hole winter course which has playing length
OF 2.1@s yards
A; the Richmond Hi Golf Club there will be a
tournament against bogie for which ASer { Gil
dersleeve has offered a cup for the winner Inc
conditions are eighteen holes match play. ana the
contestant who beats bogie the greatest number OF
holes will receive the cup. The Oakland eoners
have arranged a members tournament FOR cup
presented by William Il. Lawrence There viii be
an eighteen hole medal play handicap this morning.
and the two most successful players will then meet
IN the afternoon at handicap match play 'or 'he
cup Holiday preparations are also going io"a'u
at a number of other clubs. Baltusroi mas an
nounced compel tions for three prizes on New Year
Dav and although this will conflict somewhat win
tho matches at Lakewood IL Ia not likely TO result
IN ANYTHING more serious than division of popular
interest The principal trophy at Baitusrol is TO be
known as the Winter Holiday Cup. and play for IL
will take place New Years Day. Linco!n's bir'h-
day ani Washington's Birthday. with handicap
lini; Of eighteen strokes. The count will be upon
the basis OF three points 10 the winner. two points
10 the second man and one point TO the tAird' the
player making the most points in the three tourha-
to receive the cup. There will also be the
usual club handicap New Years Day. with prizes
for men and women members. Entries for the
Winter Holiday Cup should be made not later than
the secretary. Louis Keller No. 50 Libertyst, Man
haitian Play VIII Se 9n the aTS" a RSrcdy or lng SIS
The committee has inserted the con condit,oh @ thet III
The New Years Day tournament at Lakewood
promises 10 be a grea, success Lakewood is always
a popular resort for golfers at this season and
the entry list should be an unusually good one Ine
contest is to take place the links of the Ocean
County Hunt and Country Club. AMI George j.
Gould president of the club offers the first prize,
while the second prize will be presented by the
members AT the Golf Club Of lakewood AK. no def
that a pickup, team match will be arranged. in
grounds at the time the match is started.
Golf has been the means OF adding another coun-
ery club to the already formidable array which
their existence 70 this popular sport The
name OF the new organization is the Laurence
Harbor Country Club. the estate of Laurence
Lamb at Laurence Harbor. n. J. The old Lamb
mansion has been remodelled and converted into
Commodious clubhouse. while the ground has been
utilized in laying out capital n!ne-hole course.
The property is on plateau ffty feet above the
level OF the sea. and is on the south bank OF the
Lower New-York Bay beyond the Atlantic High
lands. Although informal opening was held
few days ago. the club has postponed the formal
housewarming until spring. when the course will
be ready for play. The clubhouse is attractive and
comfortable to unusual degree and though sur
passed In luxury OF appointment by many 1t is
perfectly adapted for its members needs The
building is l3o feet long by 50 feet wide. and
tains billiard and smoking rooms for the and
reception and private dining rooms for the women
besides locker and shower rooms. and sleeping
apartments for those who wish 10 make the club
house their headquarters during the
months The organizers OF the club are all prom
inent members OF the Iarchmont Yacht Club. and
James Turnbu, the former Larchmont profes
sional. has been engaged greenskeeper A sepa-
rate building 10 contain a workshop for him and
his assistants as well quarters for the caddies
has been provided at the southeast Of the main
clubhouse. and this will also be equipped with
locker and shower rooms. Findlay 6. Douglas. the
amateur champion will be the clubs captain for
length. and as the property contains over four
hundred acres there is ample room for an eighteen
lareement. Provision for bathing will be made in
beautiful beach offer plenty Of OPPORTUNITY for 5iU sea
1saac ha'ns he Officers Of The cTP are President
secretary George ". Quinard and treasurer Nor.
The frequent accidents from flying golf balls
have taught golfers that these gutta -percha mis-
ees sometimes inhict dangerous injury and
the warning cry Of Fore. is now needed with a
wholesome respect. Professor TAFT. Of the Edin-
burgh University father of the present champion
OF Great Britain has recently made some invest
a he God
3ectiies which will be OF interest TO players here
Dealing with the question Of initial speed Profess
sor TAFT says; Il have little doubt that the speed
may occasionally amount 10 800 or perhaps $50 foot
seconds" The professor goes 70 point out that
while the Whole OF the inquiry has been OF a some
what vague character. ITS value was probably en-
hanced rather than lessened in consequence be-
cause the circumstances could never be the same
In any two drives, II they were essentially
gSce gSce ones and made by the same player The
club head al the moment OF impact depends 10
his two hands Go which is due the 'np| dUrng NJ
the Immediately preceding one-hundredth Of d Sec
ously diminished by d trifing Upward con
cavity Of the path Of the head during the ten
tnousdndth OF a second occupied by the blow II
would appear from This that even the slightest
pact will seriously affect the flight Of the ball
There seems 10 be some difference OF opinion as
20 the possibility OF laying out 6ooo-yard course
at Fox's Hills. A. c. Grifi;hs the Westbrook pro-
fessiona has withdrawn from the work as he
believes that such a distance cannot advantageous
N be obtained. On the other hand. BendelOw who
is also associated in the work. asserts that 5000
yards is not only possible but that the nature Of
the ground Is peculiarly adapted 10 such a length
Bendelow has utilized the natural hazards in clever
fashion and has submitted a map with the follow
ing arrangement OF distances:
Outs % 7' 2 40 22s ss go go 80; total 2s2s
ln-Seo 40 49, 5a zi3 1856 1885, $50 80: total 1893
Total for eighteen holes. COZ yards
The date OF the open championship OF Great
Britain has been announced. 1t will be held on the
Sandwich links June and s time OF year