The age-herald., 1901-01-27

occupied with the game to discuss either it's charms or it's disadvantages in a way that could be framed for a newspaper story Judging from what they said, how ever, and the very superior air with which it was said, the popularity of golf is in- creasing every day in Birmingham. Every fine afternoon finds the links crowded, while a shower in January is the cause of absolute distress if a golf game is called off thereby.
 Thinking that I could not possibly go astray in my search for an enthusiast I yentured to "l1dnap'' for a few moments one swhom 1 understood went in for golf long before its craze developed in Bir- mngham.
 'I had intended going in for golf with all the other enthusiasts" he admitted,
 but unfortunately at the very outset I was advertised as an expert, an eX-member even of the Morristown N. J., Club and this about the time that Mrs. Shippen car ried off the international trophy on those beautiful links l had played there, think, two games, but so far from being a golf maniac, l hardly knew a lofter from a brsssy. So having acquired my reputation I have never dared approach the links when anybody was by. Rather hardship, too with a set of new sticks in a correct case hanging up in my room"
 Tell me if you believe society is quite serious in its present craze for golf,' l said recently to a belle and beauty, as we progressed from a card table. l might as well have asked her if she enjoyed being favored at a cotillon. It was very stupid, of course, not to know all these things without asking. Society was wildly serious and golf had come to stay. One only had to see the throngs on the links to know that.
 One of the most prominent members of the Birmingham Golf Club and one of the most successful players discussed the sub ject calmly. He referred to the club house which has been opened near the links. It has been used hitherto exclusively by the members of the club, but now that so many Birmingham women playing golf ar engagements have been completed to enter tain them at the little club house, which of course is provided with separate lockers.
 The trophy to be carried off by some fair player at the tournament that will be held in February will be sent the club this week.
 The links which have frequently been pronounced the best in the South are in splendid condition and the weather has been fine all winter that nothing has dampened the ardor of the players. The craze for this great international game was somewhat slow in developing in Bir- mingham in comparison to other fashiona- ble cities. The links near the Country Club were first laid off two or three winters ago and everybody appeared to be going in for golf. But this outdoor amusement has not ever received the serious considera- tion here that is being given it at present. Always strongly advocated by doctors as the best outdoor exercise that can be taken, it has come to be a duty that so- ciety owes itself these hours on the links in sunny weather. The craze here really seems to have been the result of the proper recognition of the good results that will come from out door exercise and every golf player will tell you that he feels like a different being since he has taken up the game Among those who generally seen on the links are: Mrs. D. A. De- Funiac, Mrs. A. T. Henley, Miss Lucile Smith, Miss Elizabeth Shelley, Miss Anna Morrow, Mrs. E. w. Barrett Miss Amy Jordan, Miss Virginia Walker, Miss Annie Jemison, Miss Daisy Lewis, Miss Ethel Sharpe, MT. Hampton Smith, MT. J. D. Kirkpatrick MT. John w. Johnston, MT. John Means MT. Henry Jones' MT. John L. Kaul MT. Culpepper Exum, MT. Erskine Ramsey, MT. Warner Shook, MT. Paschal Shook MT. H. c. Stiles, MT. R. H. Baugh, MT. Eugene L. Brown. MT. D. A. DeFuniac, MT. w. l. Grubbs MT. Walter Johnston, MT Thomas J. Watson, MT. Wentworth Brown, MT. Henry Bailey, MT. Will Bailey, Mir. Thomas Ward, MT H. H. -Mayberry, MT. B. M Allen, MT. H. B. Yergerson, MT Mudd Martin, Mr. Frank Grider, MT. E. w Barrett MT. Charles J. Perry, MT. Cal win Jones, MT. R. P. Means, Mr. David Roberts, MT John T. Hardie, Jr., Mr. w. E. Graves, MT. C. O. Locke.