New-York tribune., 1900-12-27
GOLF.
WORLDS CHAMPIONSHIP AT ST. LOUIS
NOT POPULAR WITH PLAYERS HERE.

The efforts of the Mound City Country Club, of
ST. Louis to push itself into notoriety were gen
orally discussed among golf players in this city
yesterday. This enterprising organization has
taken upon itself to announce a worlds cham
pionship at St Louis in connection with the fair
to be held in that city in 1903, and to secure the
approval of both the United States Golf Associa-
ton and the st. Andrews Golf Club Of Scotland
The attractions of the links set forth in glow
ing terms, and among other pompous inducements
the of $4,000 is offered in prizes with purse
of IS 900 to the winner. There is breezy Western
flavor to the project, which is intensely amusing
to players familiar with the orthodox customs OF
prominent Eastern golf clubs. Most Of those seen
yesterday were inclined to treat the whole thing
a joke. Walter J. Travis, who should certainly
be included in any worlds championship" smiled
broadly when the subject mentioned to him.
Il don't know that I am familiar with the Mound
City Country Club" his comment. 1T strikes
very Western for one thing, and when the
matter is broached to the st. Andrews golfers
imagine their amusement I don't think 1t
will be taken seriously, either here or abroad
Other players were equally prone to consider the
project good joke. AS of them put 1t: "Of
course, the Mound City players can hold anything
they like aad call it what they please, but as tor
getting anybody to recognize their claims. that's
different matter. 1 suppose If they are fooilsh
enough to give away $4,000 in prizes there will be
plenty of men to play for them but don't beheVe
they will get any of the cracks to go in if what
1 hear is true
There can be no doubt however. that the club
will push the scheme vigorously. When R. B.
Kerr, secretary of the United States Golf Associa-
ton reached his Office Yesterday he found letter
In his mail from President McGrew of the Mound
City Club, making application for the associations
sanction.
What disposition do you expect to make Of it?
Mr.. Kerr was asked. He replied:
''Why, I hardly know. I do not remember the
name of the Mound City Golf Club among the list
Of members of the association, and so cannot see
how its application comes within our jurisdiction
will acknowledge the letter, but further than that
1 cannot say"
The point raised by Mr. Kerr as to the clubs
lack Of membership in the association is regarded
as taking the matter out of the Leagues hands
According to the constitution, no club may hold
a National championship unless an associate mem
ber and it would be hardly proper for the assoca-
ton to give its approval of a worlds champion
ship to a club which enjoys neither allied nor as
sociate membership. The letter received by Mr.
Kerr forth that the suggestion that an inter-
national golf tournament be held in that city In
1903 had been made at Mound City Country Club
meeting and says that at the annual meeting Of
the United States Golf Association, in February
he would present a request in proper form Tor
authority to hold Mr.. McGrew continues:
The reason why the tourney should be held in
we propose to have a worlds fair, which will be
larger. greater and grander than any 1alr tnat
exceptions-and think it proper that the royal
and ancient game OF BoI Snoulu De auVSIIlSeu
properly at that time, and we know of no better
way than by giving sufficient number of prizes
to justify visit from all the noted golf PLAYERS in
the world. We would not attempt this without
the permission of your association. We would also
require the permission, of course of the Royal
and Ancient Golf Club of st. Andrews
In case approval is withheld the ST. Louis club
will hold golf tourney. leaving off the champion
ship feature, the letter says.
letter of similar import has been addressed to
the secretary of the st. Andrews Golf Club asking
that organization to join in giving its consent TO
the project While it is hardly possible that either
will recognize the championship feature. it seems
evident from the of Mr.. McGrew's letter that
St. Louis will have tournament that will outrival
in lavishness OF prizes anything ever held on the
links of either country.