New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-11
GOSSIP OF THE GOLFERS.
sPRINGTIME ACTIVITY AT MANY LINKS
HOCKMEYER TO ENTER THE AM
ATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP OF

GREAT BRITAIN.
Golf has made an early start this season. Already
the links this city putting on their prett-
est garb Of green. Players who have scarcely
touched club all winter are practising the hne
points Of putting or approaching n which they
took so much pride year Clubmakers shops
are humming with activity: temporary greens are
being abandoned. and from all sides come an
nouncenents Of handicaps team matches and four
somes that indicate more than the usual spring
time interest But to the man who has not
whacxed a ball all winter there Is another side TO
this He is discovering that. instead Of beginning
where he left off last season. he has become the
vericst "duffer." AS player said on Saturday,
he can't hit a balloon" Then. too. some Of them
are learning TO their cost that steamhe
locker is the best place in tho world for keep
ing golf clubs One man. whose shafts had lain ny
against a steampipe since fall, had an experience
the other day that will doubtless be paraleled by
others The wood had become dry and brittle
that two broken clubs the result OF his first
tramp over the links. Shafts that have been well
seasoned are not likely to warp. but players who
supplied Themselves with inferior grades last year
are not infrequenty finding or two bent clubs
in their bags a penalty for their short-siehted
policy The clubmakers however. are proitinS
greatly. and. in fact. most Of tho manufacturers
reporting unprecedented sale during the las;
few days.
The popularity of the invitation plan in holding
don the old open ARRANGEMENT this season. suggests
point that seems to have been overlooked. II the
larger clubs are TO limit their players 20 such as
they ndivi lually invite. good deal II unpleasant
feeling Is likely TO result. club whose memDc-s
are not asked compete will regard :he oversigh,
In no cordial spirit. and when It's turn comes 10
hold contest the players OF the first club are not
likely 10 be included Petty jea',usies u this sort
are pleasant. but 1t is difficult to see how they
can be avertcI. An illustration Of this was gwen
recently when one II these invitation tournaments
was held. Several players. not knowing or the
Arrangement started for the links. and discovered
by the papers after they had gone part WAY thu
their clubs had not been askAI TO compe'c. The
only thing for them 70 do was 70 return hom'
which they did In no pleasant frame OF mind one
Of them. in speaking Of the matter. said TINT u ne
had anything 10 say. his club would never hlo"
the one which Ind been exclusive 10 com" TO Ma
links This resolves itself into 'you-ash- ne-ard-
Il-ask-yon' ARRANGEMENT that promise ~ Tor 80"
good feeling which has hitherto prevailed among
players.
Otto Hockmcyer. Of the staten Island c CT
entered him FOR the amateur championship -
Great Britain, to b. PLAYED over ~" noy'Hkr lrH,
in May. lie Will probably be the 'hN ,i'''o"m
golfer entered Heckmcyer is NJ . t.taten in'i
a, any of the clubs 10 which Do" belongs, ana u
hardly hkey to stand AK 'inst M" tnt".n p'"y'.S
He is anxious To- take part chen, for the 'Niet'-
Tho collere golf teams are rlanninr trl'k f'h-
son Of matches. on Friday the Princeton pay
fha, oreaulzAtion while Oh Saturday th"s VIII pliF
al Baltusrol. The following Satui LAY thry nav "a
match on with the Richmond county Gun. 1ale Is
10 meet the staten Island Cricket club on Aprii 10
The Queens County Coli club. Of Glen love. lH
considering some means Of making par lc.ih - lH
IT, various tournaments turn In Their CARDS rms
IS a difficulty which has confronted n foon MANI
greens committees. especially at TINS time OF year.
Tnc custom Of holding back scores u growing 20 "a"
undesirable extent AZ these scores are u.'a as II
IA sis for arranging the handicap lists Tor me yii
,arors Who refuse To post their cards make II dl-
cult FOR the committee TO gauge thclT aDii!'y ht'
In he
rt,le has been adopted Of 'penaliZins +uch mon
several strokes In the next contest IN "h'ch 'H'!
appear. 49,, o.. ,..,,r.,. calf
club on Saturday the following officers were chosen
for the year: President. Harvey Mnrdock; wee
president Charles NJ Pratt. treasurer. Leonard j.
Tushy. secretary William g. Adams. and captain.
] - G. Tappan. The Board OF Governor vs. VS.
Maxwell. L. J. Busby. Harvey Mnrdork il9raul
n Adams W {. Adams. G. NJ Frat FF"d"il- X
r. pratt Harold God &in and j y. G.. Iappah. - O.,
The annual meeting Of the FairneId cunt norI
Cluh az Greenwich Conn. II to take place to-mor-
row cvenirg when officers and committees Tor me
Yea will be chosen II is expected tldl the ''""-
house will be opened about May J.