New-York tribune., 1899-03-06
GOLF.
LINKS FOR BIG CHAMPIONSHIPS STILL
IN DOUBT.
PLAYERS GROW RESTLESS UNDER DELAY
CHOICE MAY RE PIT OFF SOME WEEKS
NEW PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION FOR
PROFESSTONALS-GOIF AT THE

NEW PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION FOX
PROFEssIoNALs-GoLF AT THE
sPoRTsMEN's SHOW
The choice Of links for this years golf cham
pOnships remains I'm much doubt as ever. and
golf players who anxious to arrange their plans
for the season becoming somewhat restless
under the delay. The selection of grounds rests
entirely with the Executive Committee OF the
United States Golf Association, but far that
committee has held meeting to consider the mat
ter, nor has any date been fixed for IT to
together. obviously the cause OF the delay is the
necessity Of sounding the various clubs to their
Willingness to accept the tournaments and until
this Is done meeting is possible. Robert B. Kerr.
the secretary Of the association said Saturday.
however. that a call would be issued probably
within the next fortnight when the matter would
be definitely settled As the association undertakes
to bear all the expenses OF the championships he
seemed to think there would be difficulty In
securing links that would be thoroughly satisfac-
tory 10 players at large. and in spite OF the delay
there would be ample time for the clubs chosen
to place their grounds in order.
The most pressing questions before the commit
tee are the time and place for holding the amateur
champ 'cn5hip for the professional and women's
championships do not take place until fall the
decision as TO them may be deferred FOR some
months without causing anne ETY.. The annual meet
ing OF the association fixed the time for the
amateur championship for the last two weeks In
June, the first week I'm July. but left the actual
choice OF dates to the committee. intending to give
10 the club accepting the tournament slight
discretion In the matter. II was felt last year
that the professionals had rather got the best of
the argument I'm securing the month Of June. and
while there are some objections 10 holding cham
pionship at the beginning OF season. and before
the majority OF players have reached their best
form, It thought hes; 10 make readjustment
Of dates. and give the more preferable time to the
amateurs.
The practical result Of this. according TO num-
Der OF players. will be the virtual production Of
two amateur champions. holding the actual
title and the other an unacknowedged though
equally as honorable Previous TO last year it
customary for the professionals and amateurs
10 hold their championships together but IN the
first experiment at separation the professionals
were relegated TO the MyOpl Hunt club, OF liami-
ton. Mass. where the course small and tho
difficulties Of reaching II great that only small
number Of amateurs took part. as they are per
mitted to do under the rules This year. however
the professional tournament will come in the fall
after season that promises to be unusually aciiye
among amateurs OF all classes and Il - My Ira-
sOnabe to expect that a large number of Them VIII
enter, In which case the contest VIII assume al
most the Importance Of the .,mlreur chAmrionship
Itself and ne winner should ne ne an amateur am eur
There has been 50 little said on The part Of pos
sblc claimants for the tournaments that local
players are free 10 admit their ignorance as to
what the committees choice VIII be-. one or TWO
who known to be I'm touch with the me NIB ,fs q
that body, profess TO believe that 81. Andrews
viii accept the amateur championship "hould 1t be
offered to that club; but. on the other hand. the
members OF the st Andrews club decline to dis
cuss the matter and VIII say nothing 81 % what
their action would be-. As ST. Andrews was de-
fcated last year In its efforts 10 get the tOurna-
ment. il would seem to be deserving Vf more con
sderation than the others, while he extensive Inn
prOvements made In its links and the now road
built TO the clubhouse make il better equipped TO
hold the affair than ever before.
Al for the womens chamni7nship. here Is n
strong feeling that Philadelphia VIII DE selected In
spite Of the ia that the Onwentsia Golf cub. OF
Chicago, has made some advances through IT'S
president Hobart Chatfeld Chathcid-TayIor The
number Of good women players at the West is in
significant compared with that here. and ~ 50 I'M
portant Il matter the wishes OF the majority VIII
probably prevail. When the amateur championship
was held in Chicago. in 1sg.. there we're scarcely
thirty PLAYERS who made the journey from The
East and as women would hrd the 'rip oven more
formidable than the men. round 'ioZou would
probably the number who would appear
Philadelphia on the contrary would prove at
tractive 10 many from this city. as well TO those
from clubs further south. where golf Eas already
assumed considerable importance an outdoor
pastime The Philadelphia district, so called. in
cludes many nourishng Polhng organizations, and
the part taken I'm last years championship 10y the
Quaker CITY contingent Is n further guarantee that
the local support would be all that could be de-
sired.