The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-09
A BLOW TO GOLF.

A sensation has developed in Chicago's
most select social circles that casts young
Mr.. Letters wheat deal quite in the shade
and suspends public interest in the Luetgert
continuous show. 1t is nothing less than a
dreadful scandal In the Golf Club. 1t APP
pears, as well can be gathered from
cited accounts of the affair in the newspa-
pers, that a contest game for the amateur
championship was played at Chicago last
season between Mr.. Whigham member of
a local club, and Findlay Douglas, an
Eastern player. Mr.. Whigham won, and
now it has leaked out that Mr.. Douglas
ascribes his defeat to the fact that some
nefarious person had t ampereds with his
iron clubs by oiling the gfips. thus render
ing it impossible for him to make good
shots. This charge is the more shocking
indeed, it derives its greatest measure Of
shockingness-from the circumstance that
golf has been proudly rated as one of those.
exclusive and thoroughly .aristocratic games
played only by an elect and select body of
gentlemen 1t has been asserted by some, it
is true, that the real test of fitness for
membership in a golf club was that of be-
ing thoroughly ladyike, but this is obvious
ly not the case, because no lady would
ever have dreamed of greasing the handles
of her rivals clubs. She might have tried
other means of discontinue, but this would
not have occurred. to her 1t has been
very gratifying reflection to those persons
fond of observing the progress of higher
education that here was one pastime in
which the very best people might indulge
without suffering any moral injury from
evil association or environment No de-
PRAYED person, it was supposed, could OBJ
tain admission to the clubs, and the
masses" otherwise known as the general
public, being allowed only to look over the
fence could do no mischief. Baseball play
ers might indulge in unseeTnly wrangling
and unfair playing, gentle tennis might
have it's dangers and whist players be
given to tricks, but golf, pronounced
''gawf," was regarded as a sport to which
the community might point with pride
a sport to be recommended by parents to
their children as entirely SAFE. The players.
too, collectively and individually, were
looked upon with mingled awe, admiration
and envy, especially when arrayed in their
remarkable toys. And now a serpent has
entered into this Eden; a wicked man with
an oil can has cast a stain upon a hitherto
proud and immaculate record that will be
difficult if not impossible, to eradicate. The
entire attitude of the public towards the
game of golf and its adherents has been
changed by this unhappy episode at Chi
cago Henceforth instead of untrammeled
joy in championship contest. doubt will
have its way, and the question will be asked
by the spectators, Were the clubs
greased?" And though the answer be nay
the painful possibility will remain that the
deadly oil can might have been there.
Terms of admission into. the organization
will need to be more strict than ever. but
even that will hardly allay the distrust
when once it has been aroused. AT the best
it will be long before the noble company
of golfers live down the scandal that the
Chicago branch has brought upon them.