New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-11
vA11.r OLE PROFESSIONAL MATcHEs.


Those who have made study OF the game are
united in the theory thot it is not by practice
alone but by unconscious imitation that eolter
acquires the hest principles OF tho sport Inc
professional tournament bringing together as II
does the most 'kilful opponents OF golf on TINS
side OF the water, affords uncqualled oppor-
tuny American players OF acquiring correct
methods Of form The presence OF many o. them
at the recent professional contests at tho Myopia
Hunt Clnb indicates that this means of improve
ment is not yet destroyed. in spite OF gloomy pre-
dictions TO the contrary.
Another radical innovation whose merit is yet
made In the conditions OF the amateur champion
ship Since 'hc last championship was decided IN
Chicago the number eligible to compete for the
National cup In the match play rounds mas Teen
increased from sixteen TO thirty-two while the
holes instead OF eighteen Both these changes
will a more adequate test Of champion
caiiy eliminated, ana the winner will be forced
to show consistent form throughout the entire
SIX days play.
GROWTH IN THREE YEARS.
The growth Of the Morris County organization is
typical Of the rapidy with which golf has gained
its present vogue. How the club was started Is an
old story the links. It in December OF 1895
that a few Of the prominent residents Of Morris
town, foresecinG the popularity tho game was to
meet and enjoy TIA" now sport. The capital stock
of the club was paced At &0oM, tn" par value OF
f she cS1Irn ~ an r IN orrisovn and many
% the most prominent people. not only there, but In
T o ely ." %G e enG" gmm m mem
bershp roll Includes over. four hundred names.
iIonei Mr. and Mrs IT, McKay TwombIy Mr. ana
Mr Ko9g n s an9 Min M ana Me- luther
The work Of preparing tho Championship course IL
almost unprecedented in the history Of golf in tbs
country. In laying ont the new links the club was
aided by the advice of such authorities ~ Wing
ham, Macdonald, Stewart Davis. Wicr and B'nde-
II the time OF tho vomon's championship. in
1895 Morris County had an cghtecn-holc course
there last October this had been increased 1904
yards and for tho amateur championship In sep
TENDER full circuit % 1850 yards IS assured. The
Greens Committee and the clubs professional.
Willie Wier. have given weeks Of careful attention
20 the grounds AMI can safely he said that they
have succeeded IN getting course that IS without
peer In The United Statos. The green's are
large. man. Of them hoing lo0 feet SQUIRE. ana
tncy have boon beautifully lcvellod # a player
can keep within Colonel HoSies" infaiiihe hsires
this timc no amateur has succeeded In doHg %
IMPROVEMENTS IN LINKS
As a rune American links are s,ll somewhat In
ferior to those abroad Golf has not been Played
here long enough for this country to compare with
It's CalcdonIan rivals in this regard though with
tho progress already made American courses will
tied thcm have been warm in commendation' and
" O. stcMari In particular has said = number o.
Stewart. II will be remembered. spent the greater
part Of last season in this country. 80 mat Ms
links does not conform to tho conditions at TrooG
ProstNick or Westward llo II cannot AFFORD good
golf that IL is gratifying to find an authority lik"
Mr. Stewart recognizing tho possibilities which links
enc" acting as greens-keepers and with no expense
spared 70 mako the condition as fine as possible;
not be productive Of good golf rs those abroad.
In America" SAYS Mr. stewart everything IS
golfers have At least one advan'aee-they can take
. stretch Of prairie Tx" that At wheaton Chicago
Coli club dunes Ike the beautiful rolling hills
~ Shinnecock and convert them INTO deal
courses"
SHORTCOMINGS or AMERICAN TURF.
Tho chief fault 70 be found in American links is
thc tur' Scotch courses outrank those IN this
country because tho turf there consists Of sand.
TOPPED With thin loan. on this grass grows
with great frmness. though seldom to height Of
more than an inch and half There are no
stones to interfere with the calculations NJ the
players and 10 seud the ball Kicking" of the
line OF play or skipping on for thirty or forty
brought the ground 10 the highest perfection. The
usual distance between he long holes OF a scotch
course is seldom less tnan three hundred yards.
while. IA "A rule. the American greens are much
shorter.
sim tho present season has seen an immense
mproyeme IN this regard and perhaps this cr,n,
have been laid out upon open meadows nave an
uulouhtcd superiority IN tho matter % turf. for
pasturago for decades and it Is thus finely adapted
for tho needs - the game.
The. Dykcr Meadow course IS prominently fay-
ored IN this respect: perhaps more so than any
other American course.
BASED on SOLID MERIT
How much OF the present popularity ~ the game
is due TO the fact that :, has become the thing.
and how mucG to i's inherent merit n sport ia
hard TO say Doubtless both factors enter into the
question /, Is cert Ilnly true that the game lends
Itself with peculiar grace 20 tho caprice OF what
is called "society. but It s equally true that thou
sands of people ~" playing Il whose knowledge
quaintance only. Its athletic side Is abundanty
tractlve TO sustain It I'm favor. even though !ts
ono reason FOR IL subtle charm is the healthful
and inviso-atng ne which 1t makes possible. with
practcc OF the athlete Il can be played without
he cxhaustng ratiEnc and reaction which inful-
gence in more aciive sport sometimes ncars and
for this reason It has Completely revoutionized
n hold that Is marvellous in IT'S extent and lnnu-
THE PINK COAT IN HISTORY.
In connection with this IL Is interesting to note
the popularity OF the red coat which has be
come recognized ~ the distinctive feature %
golfers dress. lIuatsmen looking AT this sub
version Of their traditional pink with jealous
eye. but for all that golf has appropriated the
color for It's own. Its origin Is easy TO trace. IN
odcu times players used the grounds over which
people were accustomed to stroll and the brilliant
scarlet was intended 10 Rive warning OF the ap-
pp9ach OF ylqs balls Tne custom Of wearing red
every tradition connected with this royal ana
II Is believed hat Il was first adopted by tho
RoyaI COMPANY Of Edinburgh Golfers about the
year 1916 Any ono caught playing without tire
uniform WAS usually made 20 pay fine I'm the
way ~ treating his a"cuscrs 10 large doses OF lgud
refrcshment. At NY rate in the Socretary's book
Of that year there is this interesting entry:
This day Lieutenant James DAIRY mpe. being
convicted Of playing Nv" different times without
y ,, Uniform vas ncd in SIX rints Later there
three piate more
The St Andrews Club followed the lead OF the
Edinhurch golfers few years later and since that
tlmo the rcd coat has boon universally recognized
a. ih" correct thing fpr the Almost every
cub that counts io1on members has adopted II In
some form or other nor does AMMAN need 10 holnn.,
10 regular orga liIitOn To lc entitled 90 it's use
fHCl cldh. ho~rvcr. selects some distinguish u.,
emblem. which IL generally embroidered on the
edges or Tn" collar aud serves to differrnfiato ia
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