New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-18

TON OF AMATEUR ETHICS.
A. c. LOCKWOOD. WINNER OF THE RALTUsRoL
TOURNAMENT, SAID TO HAVE PLEDGED his
CUPS FOR sloo-UNITED STATES GOLF
ASSOCIATION TO TAKE ACTION
NOTES OF THE LINKS.
Does the pledging Of golf prizes won IN amateur
competition constitute professional? That
is the question which the United States Golf Asso-
citation will shortly be called upon TO decide. The
matter has come up over the action OF A G. Lock
wood winner OF the recent BaItusrol tournament
who since his return TO Boston has been accused
Of pledgng his prizes 20 secure loan Of 800 Not
since the time when F1ndlay Douglas charged foul
play IN the alleged oiing OF his clubs at the Chi
cago championship have golfers been so outspoken
IN their Indignation The matter generally
discussed at cubhouses yesterday, and the general
opinion seems TO be that prompt and rigorous &C
ton should be taken by the Executive Committee
OF the United States Golf Association
Lockwood is a young Englshman of good family,
who first appeared here about two years ago At
tention directed him by his attempt 10
enter the National championship Of 1895. held
Morris County For several weeks prior the
opening Of that contest he was a frequent visitor
10 the Morris County links. and when the list OF
entries opened his name appeared mem
Der Of some English golf club. The committee
The ground that he had not been in this country
the requisite thirty days. Lockwood thereupon
turned TO Boston. where he identified himself with
the Auston and Wollaston Golf clubs, and where
he has been extremely prominent IN local compeu-
tons. IN fact, he IS regarded one Of the best
amateurs OF the Boston district
Whether he has violated his standing
teur by borrowing money on golf prizes remains TO
be seen. F. z Wingste, president Of the Alston
Golf Club IS quoted saying:
Personally I should pTafer not N exprees any
opinion I do suppose any would
acquire golf prizes, by Lockwood any
else, IN return for loan don't believe any
would want to 90 In for that sort Of speculation
friend might feel secure"
The opinion OF golfers here seems to be that
lockwood has virtually been playing for 800 and
should consequently be declared a professional a
careful study of the bylaws of the United States
Golf Association however, fails TO show anything
that would govern the matter In the Amateur
Athletic Union there is rule that covers the case
exactly, and q who sells his prizes OF medals
is forthwith declared q professional. Some such
rule Is evidently needed In golf The status OF an
amateur has been jealousy guarded that there
IS doubt Of prompt action the part Of the
Executive Committee, ERfskrt B. Kerr. secretary
OF that committee when seen in regard 10 the
matter declined to express opinion Of the
its of the case owing the that It viii prob
ably be brought before him judicially, but vol
unteered the information that special meeting Of
would IN eli likelihood be discussed, and a special
rule would be framed to cover similar cases IN
future.
While the spirit of the rule defining amateur
has evidently been violated there nothing In the
provision II reads TO bar Lockwood from
future competitions. Sections and 10 are the
applicable 20 the case. Section reads:
An amateur golfer shall be a golfer who has
never RECEIVED a money consideration for playing
his skill in the game Of golf nor laid out taken
tended for a money. prize in an open competition
who has never carried clubs for hire after attain
sonally made for sale golf clubs or any other art-
cles connected with the game and who and
after January 1897 never within the juT1sdic-
fion Of this association PLAYED a match game
nor played IN a club competition for q money prize
or sweepstakes.
Section 10 refers TO the reinstatement Of persons
debarred for violation Of the above, but says moth
ing about the sale or pledging of golf prizes.
Since the organization Of the United States Golf
Association in December, 1894, there have been
only two instances OF debarment from amateur
standing. One the case Of Harry Roy Swee-
ney. the Albany golfer, who lost his status as an
amateur for Joining a golf goods house and the
other was that OF c s. Cox, of the Fairfield County
Golf Club, who excluded account Of his
connection with the Spalding firm Sweeney has
abandoned his business and has been reinstated,
while Cox's contention that he never personally
made FOR sale golf clubs any other articles
nected with the game" was favoTabIy considered
by the Executive Committee. and he too, has re
gained his privileges as an amateur. That Lock
wood cannot be disqualified unheard is certain.
Section OF the bylaws says:
No club or member shall be disqualified or de-
pTtved OF any privilege without due notice and
formal charges. with specifications. having been
made. and an opportunity having been given TO be
heard IN its or his own defence.
This weeks interest among local clubs will centre
largely in the open tournament of the Knollwood
Country Club, where the Stock Exchange brokers
gathered on Saturday. The tournament is to begin
Thursday and viii continue through the re-
uafnder Of the week Its chief Importance from a
golfng point Of view IS its proximity TO the Ma
ronal amateur championship. 10 be held at Garden
City the first week in July It viii be the last
opportunity the cracks Will have OF measuring
their skill by the championship yardstick and con-
Entries may be made by invitation only a further
proof mat the players viii be OF The best The
usual eighteen hole Qualrylng round at medal play
viii occupy the morning OF the first day. The
player making the lowest score will receive gold
mccall ana the nrst sixteen viii be eligible for the
match play rounds for the Presidents Cup offered
to meet for q consolation cr on Sat,Ir9e1, ~ =.
VIII be thirry-six hole handicap for the Vice
sad that TrsT efso 8y amman Tff69qa i s
Douglas VIII be among the competitors.
good deal Of silly criticism has been raised over
Miss Hecker's action IN allowing George Strath
the Wee Burn professional % cadde for her in last
weeks championship of the Women's METROPOLITAN
Golf Association. So many unpleasant things were
said BY the other competitors that on the last dav
Miss Hecker dispensed with Strath's services alto
eether. Had Miss Hecker been beaten II is doubt
1Ul II the matter would have caused a single com
V3at1;,,ore e1 49, 81 s9 Gown mss Maude X
centred their fOnCest hopes and then defeated
stand Possibly it may have srnacked Of professiCn
allsnl out everybody knows that a PLAYER NAV
choose whatever caddie he likes and take sucb
MS H1f Sdo aeyloe iIgn him as he sees 1T
Of chs 17r,~ lf7fr erc,C