New-York tribune., 1900-09-18
AT GOLF TOURNAMENTS.
FORMS OF NERVOUSNESS THAT AFFECT
SOME PLAYERS-SUPERSTI
ABOUT MASCOTs.
ABOUT MASCOTs.

The name OF the votaries Of golf is legion. and
the cause Of its to the various individ
uals IS as widely different as. are the latter's
lures and requirements.
Why do get so excited over game that do
not play?' answered an enthusiastic chaperon.
who had never handled a club in her life. but who
attended all the tournaments and waxed wildly
hustered over her favorite players. Well, OF
course, IL began on account Of my niece, who. you
know is one OF the crack players and whom
generally take to her various matches but be-
sides this ostensihle for my interest. have
followed the game closely that I just as
Keen vigorously about the outcome Of a match as
Il l were one Of the players themselves Moreover,
! find the taste FOR these functions grows upon
very mucS. One meets lots OF new people and there
Is q breezy, stimulating atmosphere about woH-
an tournament that is indescribable but which
Is a delightful change from the ordinary routine OF
life It is really unique In its way-the club
house filed with women. with their hackers and
supporters, the anxious husbands and lovers, who
are quite excited their womanktnd; the trenl-
ors in the dressing room, where for the nOnce
a fellow feeling makes the whole world kin and
the wonderful way the exclusive and the
democratic. the naughty and the genial. the apish
and the meek. all meet on one common ground
and for the time being acknowledge and feel the
sisterhood OF a great mutual interest They
passed my scent bottle around the crowd as # it
were flask OF whiskey. said the very exclusive
Miss A., laughingly, and I found myself patting
entire strangers on the back and encouraging
them when it came TO their turn TO play, as II
they had been lifelong friends
"One Of the funniest sights in a tournament IS
the women's department Of the clubhouse after q
days match played in of the deluges of rain
that have occurred in nearly every notable event
One after one the players come in in a condition
that ii is almost impossible TO describe. Soaked 10
their skins seems mild expression in regard 10 it.
Their hair streams wildly and wetly their
drenched faces shoes swish out water every
step, garments cling tightly that playing was
nearly impossi3ility. And then the drying
scene, the lamentations, the calls for hot drinks,
the worried inquiries OF their distressed relatives at
the door, all make scene that could occur only
IN one eVeurUaIty, /. =. wOmanS tournament
No wonder that they aUUse and that I ike to
go to themt"
As IS only natural. nervousness might almost be
called one Of the diseases OF golf, and the players
tell strange tales OF where the attack affects them.
With one il centres IN the knees. rendering them
! either very shaky or stiff and rigid Another de-
scrlbes fatal nunbCess that just before PLAYING
! an important match attacks the right arm. With
/ another the eye suCcumbs etc Superstition, too
Is almost universal with golfers. and the queerest
1 masCoJs are worn and priZed-odd little feathers
/ bits Of dried white heather. four leaved Clovers
! shells and metal charms may be seen attached 70
] the ha band Of every true enthusiast.
| AnyLh1z unexpected on the course is hailed as
an omen A crow flying across the direction Of The
/ ball Is tsr2L while a rabbit or a cat is welcomed