New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-10
NEWS or THE GOLF LINKS.
MIDWINTER DOINGS AT THE VARIOUS
CLUBS-TALK OF CHANGING THE DATE
or THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP.

OF THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP.
There is likely 10 Ne some discussion at the COM
ing annual meeting Of the United States Golf Asso-
citation as TO the advisabity Of holding the open
championship at a different date from that award
cd 20 amateur players. The custom has been hlih-
erto 20 hold both contests in the same week, but
the plan has proved unsatisfactory for many Ted-
sons The anna teur matches have so oVershadowed
the play Of the professionals that little attention
has been given the latter competition and IL Is
thought that separation OF the two will lend more
dignity and importance to Il. IN England the Gus
tom has been always to decide each championship
al a different time and there is a growing tendency
here adopt the English rule.
The stir caused by Finlay Douglass alleged
charges as 10 the tampering with his golf clubs III
the amateur championship last September has SUD
sided almost as suddenly as it began. Mr.. Douglas
has denied that he charged anything Of the kind
and the matter will probably be allowed 10 rest
unless further complications arise. The Chicago
Club. at which the championship was held an
nounced its intention Of probing the affair 10 the
bottom but in view OF the position taken by MI.
Douglas no further action is possible
At a recent meeting of the Board OF Governors OF
the St Andrews Golf Club it was decided to pro-
coed with the completion OF the clubhouse as soon
as the weather permits In order 10 place the CLUB
on sound financial basis a small assessment was
levied applicable, however, only 10 the present
members This being done, the club was able to
place all the bonds it desired to SELL and now has
ample funds with which TO pay its entire hoatlng
debts complete and furnish the new clubhouse ana
improve its course and the means OF reachlhG H.
AS a result Of the assessment. some designations
have been received but not as many as were an
ticipated The club still has more members than II
had year ago and starts the new year under me
most favorable auspices. II i pfODdDIe tial t44e
membersbjp viii be limited TO three hundred.
i committee consisting of William \ Wheelock'
F. Robbins Walker the Rev. D. L. Schwartz Jas
per Lynch and James {. Parrish has been appoint
cd hy The members Of the Lakewood Golf club 70
confer with representatives Of the Lakewood fotel
6ve-vear term Of The clubs lease which expires
next April 1t is believed that plans will be carried
various improvements in the clubs IA ,ilities.
At the recent annual meeting OF me Wee es surn
were elected for the coming year; John ;. rim 1
Minis president, Charles Stewart smith wee pres
Capen secretary and A 5. Pitt captain. q, Inc
named and Wnliam r French, Edward f. Bugger-
hoff Archibald II. Smith and j. Harvey Huriout.
The club has decided TO improve and extend ls
present course, and TO increase the mutation zee 10
a result Of the recent professional tournament az
Lskewo0dd a Har i3 RsT@S and Fzoh2
Of Ardsley. IN foursome contest. the first hall 10
Ardsley. Rawlins and Norton are also matched 70
play the Philadelphia professionals. Gullane ana
Campbell first In Lakewood and then in Phila-
e Hanford sturgis and other prominent members
cured grounds midway between New-Rochelle ana
Iarchmont on which they are laying golf
course. There is cottage on the grounds which
they will transform into a clubhouse Immediately.
The Sands Point Golf Club is new organization
with a nine-hoe course overlooking Long Island
Sound James J. Faye is the president Of the club
and Irving Van Wart secretary and treasurer. The
club has already more than forty active members
and ninety associate members. A clubhouse is TO
be erected in the early spring
The Hillside Tennis and Golf Club Of Plainheld
has engaged Thomas Bendelan the professional 70
superintend the work Of extending It's links over the
recently purchased Dayton-Meck farm. Another
professional note Of interest Is that Harry Rawns
OF Lakewood has been secured by the Knollwood
Country Club Of Elmsford y. Y. to take charge of
It's links during the coming season