The Portland daily press., 1900-12-18
ALL CONQUERING GOLF.
Record of Its Progress I'm Twenty Years
Throughout the World.
(Ths London Telegraph.)

4 A4ho A@OhoCA &oAc6A@RAfy
| 1t is rather strange that for centuries
Scotsmsn should have succeeded In keep
| ing to themselves the mysterious fascina-
lions OF golf-perhaps still more curious
that all ths world should have so sudden
| ly discovered what a capital game IL IL.
A score of years ago EnglIshmen-those
who had heard OF it-scoffed at the game
as tame and embarrassing, only lit for
old men; but ample Justification was In
store for the sons Of Caledonia, and a right
eous retribution impended over the scott
ers. The genius OF golf was only waiting
his opportunity to Introduce his queer
| shaped implements and exasperating nm
oeruainties to every corner of the globe.
During the past twenty years, and es-
pscially in the last decade, the progress of
golf has been altogether marvellous; it is
certain that no other game ever spread
abroad and acquired universal popular
ity SO rapidly. In 1879 there were In Eng
land only seventeen golf clubs, including
one in Jersey. The game hal not yet
been started in Ireland or Wales, aud
abroad was only played in India (the
OEiO0Uth OA0b AotCS iAOGA AoN'p IL OthAthobf
where a club was formed in 1873; and at
Pau, in Frarcs, where the first Conti-
mental links were laid out in 1856. len
years later, in 1889. the number OF clubs
In England, Ireland ana Wales had In
creased to about one hundred and .he
game had become known in many parts
OF the world, including China, Egypt,
the Straits Settlements, south Africa,
and the United States. Thess figures
CHI FaErtu Mi
during the period referred to, but 1t was
altogether trii1ing oomPared with what
was to follow. The Cooling Annual"
for lS99.1900 shows that there are at the
present time In England 764 golf clubs,
including l19 ladies' clubs; Ireland pos
ssssss Ill, and Wales 81. Thus, from 100
golf clubs In 1889, We have now reached
the huRe total of 9l2 for England, Ire
land, and Wales, and every year sees an
increase In the number.
1t Is true that In this total certain
number OF associations ana unions are
included and bv no means every club
mas a course Of Its own. still the figures
testify to the extraordinary popularity Of
the game, and abroad Its progress has
been no less remarkable, In the United
States, where golf was first started at
New YorE about the year 1883, thers are
today nearly 500 clubs, of which the
maj ority possess links OF their own. In
Australia and New Zealand there are
sixty three golf clubs, in India thirty
one, in France twenty-thres. and, taking
into account 600 or SEQ clubs in Scotland,
we shall not be far wrong in ESTIMATING
the number spread abroad throughout
the world at considerably over 2 900.
Truly this is a wonderful growth when
IL Is considered that score OF years ago
there were not out or Scotland more than
five and twenty resorts where golfers
gathered to practice their favorite pas
time.
A Apart from its intrinsic merits as a |
game OF skill, suitable for people or all |
ages. which can be played in every month !
of the year, various causes have assisted |
to bring golf so quickly to the trout |
1t was never likely TO catch on in any |
marked degree from its enjoyment, and |
young men left 1t severely alone. But |
when the "boom" arrived with startling |
abruptness about the year 1890 the ladies |
were not slow to appreciate its merits. |
Young men began TO play golf, at first
soon, however, gave place to the enthu- |
siasm which the royal and ancient game
invariably exoites in the breasts Of kthose
who seek to master. It's difficulties, Cap-
tains of cricket elevens and presidents or
rowing clubs regarded golf with jealousy
as q dangerous rival 70 those ancient |
English institutions, to which they con-
slider all the attention OF athletic youth |
should be devoted. At.the present time
there are not half dozen clubs In the
country whose representatives would be
likely to defeat the Oxford University
team, and a game which is warmly taken
up by ladiesH and popular with young
men Is sure to go lar.