Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-12

head OF affairs, who have spent time and
money in the furtherance Of the game ant
| amateur sports lie will also know that
the public has absolutely refused to attend
any Of the games against foreign clubs, and
that during the tournament OF the North
western Cricket association in Omaha IL
| July, 1885, hardly a corporal's guard at
| tended the games, and why? Because
| primarily the game is too slow, and on that
! account does not appeal to the average
| American. Two items OF importance are
at present necessary for the salvation Of
the game in this region: First, a radical
change Of rules to make the game faster
and more interesting. Second, the infusion
of young and new blood to take the place
Of the has beens.'
"Reyerting to my late Scottish experience
| discovered that although the rising gen
Grafton, and also the generation already
risen, have almost eschewed cricket, they
have not by any means thrown overheard
athletic sports and as a substitute have
taken UP the ancient and honorable game
OF golf In the old days the centers OF
golf were few and far between, but now 1t
is surprising beyond measure to see how
the game has spread throughout the length
anu DTeduln oil the land.
Where one would naturally expect to find
cricket clubs and club houses one finds
golf courses and handsome club houses.
The urchins play with a zeal and vim that
augurs well for future years; the young
men are enthusiasts and vie with each other
In all kinds of competitions; the older men
evince the same spirit but show less eff
cheney in the game, One and all are work.
ing toward the same end and the ladies are
not behind, for wherever you see a mems
course there the ladies' course will be-
Hon. Arthur Balfour in opening a bazar
IN dundee for the benefit of the Monifieth
Golf course, which was purchased at an
expense of $2O,0O0 eulogized the game and
claimed for 1t all that a man wanted in
clean sport, ample exercise and infinite
skill. He compared it with cricket, greatly
to the detriment of the latter. When men
OF his character and occupation find time
to play golf for the love of the sport and
the good things it brings, it behooves the
ordinary business man to get move on
MIN and emulate the good example All
work and no play makes Jack dull boy
THE golf club at Happy Hollow deserves
great praise for the good pioneer work II
has already done and is doing. and # no
doubt adds members to it's roll. It has
been my privilege to play sew
eral times on the course, and the impres-
sion formed was that it was a very hard
one, especially for beginners, thereby dis
heartenlng them and making play somewhat
Oh burden. The putting greens were
dlfncult, many of them being inside hills
ana hard to approach. This criticism is
not made in any fault-inding spirit, for
know that the gentlemen Of Happy Hollow
nave spent both time and money in laying
out the course on the tract of ground at
their disposal. Comparing it, however.
with some of the Scottish courses, it is not
an ideal one, and one which will barass
many a good golfer, not to speak of n
novice
All of the courses over which l played
Lhls summer notably st. Andrews, Moni-
Meth, Barry, Dumfermline, North Queen
Terry and Carnoustie, were almost ideal. and
failed to penalize player for good drive.
and mcst of the putting greens were 1oo
feet square, and true.
1T would seem that il proper effort were
made a course such as those mention could
be secured in Omaha, either through the as
slstance OF the park commissioners or some
private owner, thereby providing a course
tnat would suit the average player. II such
a course could be gotten, and am told that
IL is not without the range of possibility-a
club could be formed in Omaha that should
be both strong numerically and from a
golfing standpoint.
whether there is any truth in the re-
mark or not, l have been told ON several
occasions that it was generally understood
the Happy Hollow course is somewhat ex-
elusive, and as consequence this debars
quite number from entering the game
My experience has been the reverse. for ON
the several occasions on which 1 played
there was treated with courtesy and hospi-
tality.
1T would appear to me from my observa-
tfon of athletic matters on the other side
OF the big pond. and also from observation
On this side that the time is about ripe for
golfing wave to sweep this western coun
try. and why not let Omaha be the center
OF the cyclone? l would indeed be pleased
TO hear from the various gentlemen who
play or have played golf and who have NOT
aVaiied themselves of the Happy Hollow
course" A"