New-York tribune., 1900-01-21
GOLF.
REPORT OF HARRY vARDONS COMING
CONFIRMED.
c. s. cox. OF THE FAIRFIELD GOLF CLUB.
BRINGS DEFINITE NEWS OF THE
CHAMPIONS VISIT.

1t is now definitely settled that Harry Vardon,
the open golf champion of England, will come to
this country for extended tour. The report
printed in these columns early last week received
confirmation yesterday when Charles s. Cox, OF the
Fairfield Golf Club who returned from abroad on
Friday, announced that he had mace arrangements
with Vardon book the latter for any matches
which American players may see ht to make with
him.
The news caused decided stir among golfers in
this city, for while there has been talk of the
champions visit, nothing definite could he learned
of the plan and good many were inclined to be-
lieve It merely a repetition of the rumor which has
been circulated here each winter Mr.. Cox states
authoritatively that Vardon will sail on January
q and will remain until the latter part OF May. He
will then return for the amateur championship at
the St Andrews Golf Club in June, but Will sail
again Immediately after this tournament for
protracted stay.
"Vardon not at all anxious to some" said Mr..
Cox yesterday, until l represented to him that
American players eager for the visit and
would accord him abundant opportunities for ex-
hbiting his skill in exhibition matches. His home
club, at Canton, also unwilling to allow the
necessary vacation, but all objection has now been
overcome. and we may expect to see him here by
the first weet in February"
Mr.. Cox win at once begin negotiations with the
prominent golf clubs all sections of the country
with view to arranging professional and amateur
matches, in which VardOn will, of course, De the
central figure. is probable that the golf club Of
Lakewood the Atlantic City Country Club and other
organizations which keep open green's at this
will invite the champion to appear in series
OF exhibition contests, after which the latter will
proceed South at once to take part in the tourna-
ments in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia. This
tour will probably last until March, when the cham
pon will work his way slowly northward. playing
at Baltimore. Philadelphia, Boston and this city be-
fore sailing for home. The length of his return
visit will naturally depend upon the number of n
gagements offered him. but It can safely be said
that he will remain here until the following fall.
NardOn
year is commonly referred to as ',Xardon,s year"
His greatest victory won over Willie Park, the
former open champion whom he defeated in
for Of He Wen his s anS ehsm
pionship at Muirheld in 1896 His second was
the Channel Islands and since 1896 has been he be
professional at the Scarborough Golf Club, Gan
ton EngIand: He affects the use OF extremely
many of the most successful golfers on both sides
OF of the he water va In his SHORT game he runs the ball
putting is said to be phenomenal Mr.. Cox expects
ments sutfcient to keep the champion busy until
late late in the fall Thus far no definite matches have
Another interesting bit of news brought by Mr.
Cox is to the effect that team Of English anna
teurs will also sail for this country probably in
who are mentioned as among the probable mem
bers Der Of the team are H. H. Hilton, Charles Hutch
Es f:n5soE E. .S siqRe{ Re{Er Muir Ferguson Horace
now engaged in planning the details of the trip.
and the exact date of their coming is expected
Regarding the rumored advance In the price of
golf balls Mr.. Cox said that in England the manu-
factories had already advanced the retail price
10 per cent, and that the gutta percha had
been advanced 40 per cent. 1T is impossible to get
dealers to quote figures large orders for future
delivery" he said. because of them know Just
what the price will be three months from to-day.
In talking of the coming season English players
all count an advance of from 10 to 20 per cent"
There is a bill now before Congress which golfers
are watching with keen interest. This is the one
providing for the laying of a submarine cable If
that goes through the demand for
will cause another advance of 10 per cent. Alto
gether, the prospect for reduction in the cost of
the game already expensive enough, is not particu-