New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-21
AMONG THE GOLF PLAYERS
HOLDING THE NATIONAL CHAMPION
SHIPS-NOTES FROM THE LINKS.

The change In the method Of conducting the Ma
tional golf championships which was made by the
delegates to the United States Coli Association last
week is likely 10 result IN radical alteration Of
the conditions which have prevailed hitherto It
these contests Grenylllc Kanes resolution that
the amateurs and professionals shall compete at
times least three months apart viii make neces-
sary a separation Of the two championships 10y an
interval of considerable length and the amateurs
have always regarded September their chosen
month, It will no doubt result In forcing the pro-
fcssonas to accept spring date
one Of the chief reasons for the innovation was
the fear that many players would take part that
one club would be unable 10 conduct both contests
successfully in the same week. Another reason
was that II WAS considered unfair to make the
amateurs undergo the strain OF their championship
and then require them TO enter the field against
professionals who had been resting throughout the
week. However this may be. the practical outcome
Of the change will be probably 10 magnify the i'm
portance OF the amateur affair at tho expense OF the
professional one. II Is hardly to be expected that
players from n distance will make the Journey
twice in the same year. so that the open champion
ship will be confined chiefly 10 professionals and
local amateurs. The advantages Of the new system.
however. regarded outweighng any cOIs.d-
erations of this sort.
As the date and place OF holding the professional
competition were left 70 the discretion of the TX
ecutve Committee. there is considerable speculation
just now as 10 what club will he asked 10 take It.
The Shinnecock Hills course has been suggested as
n desirable place and II is impossible that that
club may he induced TO accept II.
Ransom H. Thomas promised the association that
the amateurs should have a G000-yard course AT
Norristown. which means n full championship dis
lance. The changes which are 10 be made there
are based on the consensus Of opinion OF n number
OF experts who have studied the conditions and the
club intends spare pains bring its links to
81. hfs,sa .tUo~,a ~. AL1.st
twenty trains a day pass within stones throw Of
the clubhouse 90 that visiting players will find
ample facilities FOR reaching the links. 1t is under
stood. also. that many Of the competitors will ne
entertained by the residents during their stay the
meeting
WashIngton's Birthday promises 20 a renewal
OF activity among the local golf clubs. At the
Dyker Meadow course there is 10 be a team match
between the married and single men Of the club
large number OF entries for which have already
been received. Prominent among the expert players
OF the married men Daniel Chauncey. William
a. Putnam. Lieutenant McClochlin Lieutenant Car
bough. William g. Crittenden. W. II. Crttenden.
Albert G. Jennings Thomas A. Eddy Frank ~
Doubleday. f. l.. Kalbheisch and William a. Tay-
Tor. Some OF the bachelors include Alfred l.. Nor
ris, W. *. Fowler. Charles p hoffman William c. a,
Nesmith. Frank Lyman. Grant hoffman, f. Il.
StudweN, VI Gardner and Norman ;. Dixie.
At the Lakewood links there is 70 he an open four
some. In which Tying and Toer to be one OF the
made with Jasper Lynch, at Lakewood. any time up
70 Tuesday morning. Members OF the same team
need not come necessarily from the same club The
HarbOr Hi, jersey CITY. Crescent Athletic and
Westchcster Golf clubs will also hold competitions
that day.
The Meadow Brook Hunt Club has decided to
erect new bunkcrs along the line OF it's golf course
on the hrst. third sixth and eighth holes in order
70 make the play still more difficult. These will
he 80 situated as 10 punish sliced pulled balls A
new green is also to be constructed on the sixth
hole.
The Hillside Tennis and Golf Club Of Plainfed
fNdSei he
Road. whore IL expects 10 lay out full eighteen
hole course. though nine holes are all that will be
undertaken for tho present Tom" Bendelow the
professional, has made suggestions to the work
OF laying them out. and will superintcnd their con-
struction a pond some seventy or eighty wards
wide. which Is 70 be included in the play for the
seventh hole. will be the only water hazard on the
course.
The Westminster Golf Club which numbers about
three hundred members. has been disappointed In rs
efforts 10 secure lease OF the property upon which
Il Intended 10 lay our an eghteen-hole course and
has renewed lease for one year OF the land upon
which its present nine hole course Is situated
There IL a prospect. however that another tract
may be obtained about mile from its present
location. Willie" Norton. the professional will be
In charge Of the grounds until May when he will
return 20 the Seabricht Club. II the weather Is
favorable the Wcsichoster players may hold a
members handicap on WashnGtons Birthday
David Hunter. son of Charles Hunter the we'll
known professional AZ PrcstUick. scotland is a
recent addition 70 the ranks OF tho professional
Cllh. % Pourhkeensio has engaged J N Ing liz
a kcfnsr the