New-York tribune., 1898-11-28

NEXT YEAR-THIs WEEKS CON
TEsT AT BALTIMORE.
with the close Of the lakewood tournament on
Saturday the season of open solf contests is prac-
tically at an end. This does not mean that there
will be no more matches for. IN spite Of snow and
frozen ground playing will continue on almost all
the local links throughout the winter. But the big
tournaments open 10 golfers from all parts OF the
country are now over, and. with the exception Of
the holiday competition at the Ocean County Hunt
and Country Club. more Will he held until
spring The Morris County Golf Club and the
Richmond County Country Club the only two
prominent crganiza tons that VIII close their ecu seS
during the winter months. The season AT the for
rner came end Saturday, and the Rich
mond County season Will end on December 4. but
the members % both clubs Will continue 70 play
on other courses untl the resumption of activity
In April
As a whole the season about NewYork has been
one Of unusual interest and success Certainly sof
players can have reason to complain Of the mum
Der O: tournaments held or OF the support which
they have received at the hands Of the eo!ine pub
lie. The contests have been larger and the quality
Of play higher than in any previous year; and.
added T. this. the links themselves have shown
wonderful Improvement In the matter of conform
ing with The most advanced IDEAS in course-buiid-
.ns Humid eds of new clubs have been established
and scores Of old have increased their grounds
from nine to eighteen holes. The outlook for next
season is of unusual announcement. not Only
because Of the added interest taken in the sport,
but because Things have now reached pass where
& intelligent knowledge OF IL permits a more ra-
tional progress.
In the matter Of championships New-York golf
ers have been greatly favored. The open or pro-
fessonal championship at tie MyoP.a Hunt Club
In June the only not held in the metropoli-
district. and that was the least important or
the lot. The amateur championship at Morris
County and the wo.Aon's and intercollegiate cham
pionships at Ardsty offered unusual opportunities
TO local players OF which they were not slow 10
take advantage. The previous year. when the
amateur tournament took place in Chicago. scarcely
ffty players entered he qualifying round. while
this year the list comprised l2a The admirable
manner In which the Morris County Club con
Quoted the championship together with the fact
that Its course q regarded one OF the best in
the country. has made it favorite for next ses-
sons championship. but the selection of a course
resis entirely with the delegates to the annual
meeting Of the United States Golf Association. and
they will probably decide that some other part of
the country should receive the award.
Though the has been success. several
matters have come up that suggest improvements
for next year and Of them will doubtless he
brought before the annual meeting of the associa-
ion this winter one Of them is the advisability
- limiting tho entries far the amateur champion
ship. which have now become large as TO he
unwis dy. The point was up for discussion
asst season. but TIE association hesitated about
II.
of prominent golf pi, yers OF whom II J. Whigham.
a. that time the champion one Of the fore
nos; Whigham urged that action he taken,
saying that it pity TO legislate against
condition that might never arise. But the condi
did arise. and Whigham himself one of
The who suffered by #. The first day Of the
championship begun at 7;3o a m. when the
first OF the long line Of competitors started on
the preliminary round; but although the tourna-
ment committee used every effort to expedite the
play the last man in until after dark, and
the lsughab sight presented of committee
standing the home holding up Ian
terms that the competitors might see their way TO
the hole. The man VINO PLAYS under such condi
tions is at d decided disadvantage. and. for q Ma
tional championship. this is unfair every one
is entitled the chance for the cup.
Several methods have been suggested 70 remedy
this. II is proposed limit the tournament 20
players OF certain handicap ranking but every
course Is peculiar to itself. and every club has
different ba ais OF ranking its members the diff-
culties in the way OF such scheme are evident.
Club handicappng Is usually done the basis Of
one or more scratch men, but as scratch player
al organization is not always skilful the
scratch player at another no definite system could
be put in force along this line. A suggestion to
hold the championship in the spring. instead OF In
the fall has be en- advanced and this has met
favor. The longer days at that time Of the year
would add considerably to the time for play, and
the turf would also be in better condition, as il
would be comparatively free from the wire grass
that makes its appearance in the fall The chief
objection urged against the change Is that Il would
decide at the beginning of the season something
which should properly come climax. and for
his reason good many players are opposed TO
II. II the championship were awarded in the
spring II would detract from the interest in subse
quent tournaments and result in smaller entry
lists that IL Is not al ali likely that the associa
ton VIII attempt the innovation
As for the clubs to BE- chosen to hod the cham
pionshipy this is also coming in for discussion just
now The recent ruling of the association that the
professional and amateur contests must he held at
least six months apart makes necessary an early
decision. ana the selection will probably be made
before long. The Shnnecock Hll's Golf Club has
been suggested as Il suitable place for the pro-
fessionals provided il will agree take them. and
he choice would be good one. the club opens
is season early in the spring and would therefore
have its course In good condition at that time.
The professional championship is not popular
one with golf clubs and the association may find
II did this season. The amateur championship. on
the other hand. is eagerly sought for, and the
struggle gain II next promises 10 en-
gender some hard feeling Philadelphia is known
10 be anxious for IT, and that part OF the country
has never had any OF the National tournaments the
association may decide TO favor the Quaker city
next year The St Andrews Golf Club IL also
ready to take IL. and the fact that /, was disap
pointed in its efforts to get II this year may have
some influence on the delegates. Newport has been
proposed but the Newport course is hardly suited
to tournari mt OF this character. Boston is also
claimant. and may possibly receive recognition.
Although the big tournaments at the North
over. the Southern season is now In fu swing This
week the Baltimore Country Club will hold open
competition on Thursday. Friday and Saturday, and
a large number of entries from New-York clubs
have been booked. The first day OF the tourna-
ment Is to be a qualifying round for a team cham