New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-06
GOLF,
OPENING ROUND IN THE ANNUAL ST
ANDREWS TOURNAMENT.
RAIN PLAYS HAVOC WITH THE LrNKs-PREsi
DENTS CUP FOR JOHN REID JR, WHO
MAKES THE BEST SCORE AT MEDAL

FAILS ~ AfIEhR
A drenched and dsheveled horde OF golfers. with
dripping clothes and chatterng teeth, but with en-
| .husiasm undated. finished the first days play in
| the annual tournament OF the ST. Andrews Golf
| Club yesterday. The rain down In torrents.
soaking the course and turning the putting greens
into miniature lakes but through II all the contest
ants plodded until all but six had completed the
qualifying round at medal play The psychology OF
golf is an interesting study. Theories innumerable
have been advanced to account for a golfers devo-
ton to the game but none Of them are wholly sat
sfactory Most people think that others play be-
cause they enjoy II. but that could not have been
the reason why many took part at ST. Andrews
yesterday Cruel and unusual forms OF punishment
are rare nowadays, but to spend an afternoon in
imminent danger OF being drowned comes danger
ously near that category.
Golf is usually classed sport. but under yes
terday's conditions It should he put down as an
amphblous pas,ime. TO which no name has as yet
been given. All the charm OF the thing was gone
II simply rolling a little ball into little hole
with implements little adapted for the purpose.
scoopnet and canoe would have been more suit
able on some Of the green's. The ninth hole was
lost beneath a seethng lake. and player dis
covered his ball being carried away by the Hood or
water that raced past the green At another point
the water completely filed the hole, and one con-
testant had the amusing experience OF seeing his
ba float TO the top OF the cup and he knocked out
by the impact Of his partners ball. Most OF the
players decided that the holes should be made a
foot wide instead OF four and one-quarter incnes.
in order 10 give fair chance OF getting into them
The entire grounds were like sponge. soaking
in the rain and sending It squirting again whenever
a stroke was made. And that was not ALL Inc
grass which had been rolled and beaten
TIL It lay smooth plush stood up like the
quilts OF angry porcupine the minute the rain
began fall on the putting greens It was IKE so
many wire nails and the mdiron was the only
sensible club to be used In getting the ball down.
But for all the discomfort and inconvenience and
mlshaps the tournament was success ana the
club was we'll pleased at the result
With It's prestige as the Oldest golhng orgahiza-
ton in the country and the one TO whom the credit
Of introducing the game here Is due 81 Andrews
has always enjoyed a peculiar distinction In It's
annual tournaments. They have come TO he re-
garded as the virtual championships OF the EAST
and certainly the members who entered yes
terday would support that view. One hundred ana
thirty players entered for the preliminary round
yesterday. the largest number that has ever ng-
ured on open tournament list not excepting the
National championship itself Mindful OF the
crowding In last seasons contest, and In order 70
bring the field within reasonable bounds the clup
this year determined 10 limit the competitors 10
four men from each club, but even this precaution
did not prevent enormous entry the weather
probably kept good many away Whicn was d
fortunate circumstance, for with seyenty-slx START
ers half dozen were unable to finish before dark.
What provision will be made for them Is uncer-
tain The committee did not reach decision last
evening but IN all proba bity the score for the
uncontrolled holes will be averaged on the OASIS OF
previous scores and the men thus given a ratlhg'
The conditions OF play were the customary thirty
six holes at medal play. eighteen In the morning
and eighteen III the afternoon, the pest sixteen
qualifying for TIE match play rounds for the 81
Andrews Cup the chief trophy OF the week
decided innovation Is introduced, however Tor
those who fail to get places in this DIVISION In
stead OF being drawn at match play for consola-
ton cup the best thirty-two will be paired to-day
in a consolation foursome. in which partners VIII
be assigned in the inverse ratio OF yesterday
scores. That is, the first will partner TO the last'
the second to the last but one, and so on. Ihis
promises to afford some interesting golf
OF the many defaults the most Disappointing
was that Of Flndlay Douglas. who will probably not
apnear now until tomorrow. when he and Walter
B. Smith the runner-up in the Morristown cham
pionship are to meet the professionals. Willie
Anderson. Of Baitusro and Willie Smith Of Shin
six Contestants. representing almost every promi-
ncnt gohng organizati9p in the metrop9itan dls
other Cities. there was no lack Of able play John
ES r f. M Hs Of st. and otSes
whose names familiar 10 golfers were there.
and though the scoring as rule was somewhat
Inferior 10 that OF last years tournament this was
only TO be expected under the conditions which
prevailed. .. .,.-... .o....,,,
tho most important being increase Of 700 yards
in the playing length. making total for the
eighteen holes of 574l yards The ninth has been
new nlea suring 800 yards The eleventh is the old
tenth increased by 100 yards, while the present
fourteenth OF 5ne 0q Wb as
wears tournament would have little significance.
At that time lS5 was the qualifying score; yestsr
day il was 1874 Last year the best score or the
opeutng day was made by the Enslishman, Stewart;
yesterday John Reid, jr. a member OF ST Andrews
as well as OF the Yale golf team. returned the low
BY j. I't G Ten Eyck the first time p the
course has been used IN competitive play. Reld
must be considered the record holder His card
on the first round and s. on the second ms
latter is not likely to he beaten for some tlme 70
Second e Red came ia TYNE T5h WrS 2fai 81
the Philadelphia Cricket Club. withdrew oerote the
completion OF the second round. as did number OF
Others m 40, .,...o .,,.s
mar ali contestants who failed TO make 10 or better
in the first round should be ineligible 10 compete
in the second but the early scores indicated that
limit and ll5 was made the disqualifying figure.
Even this did cut out enough men 10 enable
o. the Staten Island Cricket Club: L. 7. Hildreth.
= " DAYTON and V p Humason, OF St Andrews.
and r A Waterbury and w. r. Cushlnser. OF the
Westminster Golf Club, were stopped py da.khess
for the first sixteen will be made to-day and the
ournamen Will continue through Saturday c;yo The
scores OF those who did 100 or PETER are given IN
full the others being summarized:
J. B. Upham. St. Andrews a.
g., : :::::: $:::$$E ETC., f.
A. I. Norris Dyker Meadow: "a
o. Ss' .: :::::::::::::ss Is