New-York tribune., 1901-08-19
POLO AND TENNIS AT NEWPORT
REVIVAL OF INTEREST IN THE FORMER
SOCIETY TURNS OUT IN FORCE
AT TENNIS MATCHES.

Newport r. l., Aug. IS (SpeciaD--Polo has taken
a new lease of life in Newport The game was
introduced for the first time in America at New
port some years ago. and attained great popu-
larity During the last few years interest waned,
partly because of I'll luck during the polo season,
when rain postponed the games for days. and
partly on account of the grounds then in use not
being regulation size for championship matches.
When the Newport Country Club started a polo
field was laid for the Westchester club at a
cost of nearly $4,000. When it completed the
turf was found to be too soft for playing. and a
system drainage tried to remedy this defect,
but without success. With no adequate field to
play upon. interest in the game naturally died out.
and Ii was not until the Westchester club secured
it's present quarters that the began to attract
attention again in Newport. The younger element,
which has again taken up the sport, has large
following. The result has been that the matches
OF the week brought out not only the largest gath
erfngs for years but the most fashionable ones.
Temporary club quarters and stables were erected
for the present tournament and these will be
placed early next spring by substantial buildings.
The organization of the Rhode Island Jockey
Club will have much to do with the success OF the
Westchester Polo Club. This organization will
the grounds OF the polo club for its racing events.
and the financial support already received by the
jockey club from the wealthiest summer residents
assures its success Horse racing. Ike other innO-
vations in Newport. has met with opposition in
the past. and 70 this opposition may be attributed
the fact that racing given up for some
years. The events had been held public
track. An undesirable sporting element overran
the track and paddocks and brought the place
into such i'll repute that the churches up in
opposition. compelling the promoters 10 relinqush
the racing. The location of the Westchester
grounds will make 1t almost impossible for the
unwelcome element TO gain foothold, and 1t is
believed that the events OF the club can be
ried out without arousing any opposition on the
part OF the ministers. whose principal objection
the class OF people the races invarisbI
brought into the city. IL is probable after the
Newport racing events. the jockey club will
duct series OF running races at Narragansett
Park, outside OF Providence.
That tennis has regained its odtme popularity
shown by the large and fashionable gather
ings at the matches of the National Lawn Tennis
Association during the last week the Casino.
This is largely due to the fact that the game has
claimed greater attention and prominence among
the members of society this season than has been
the since the Casino built. Many
prizes offered by leading cottagers. and the
were occupied so constantly that stringent rules
Playing was restricted 10 certain hours each day.
This naturally deepened interest in the playing Of
the Contestants In the national tournament, and
II is safe TO say that no more apprecative au-
dience ever attended tennis tournament than
was the case last week.
II Is To De regretted that the quahty or tennis
played at Newport each year is not equal 10 that
at 'ne pror 10 tne hSIolal 5
experts to the condition of the men when they ar
rive mere dIlcT Il hdFu season ) play 1ueS are
tired out after their efforts and not equal to
the task of putting up their best game. Last
weeks matches were no exception to the general
rule although there at times some very
brilliant tennis. The women took advantage of
the occasion to appear some of the handsome
est gowns seen here this season. The costumes
displayed have never been eqUalled, except during
the horse show, which is the star event Of New
port in this particular.
The horse show is discussed in minor key.
IL foretels the ending of the present seasons big
events. However, this year will show the longest
list Of entries of any exhibition yet held under
the auspices of the Newport Horse Show Asso-
citation. The demand for accommodations can
he and the executive committee Is at its
wits end TO devise means to provide suitably for
those who require private boxes. The limit OF the
available space in the Casino has been reached
and of Newports most exclusive families
will be compelled to occupy seats in the grand
stand with the exrcursionlsts who visit Newport
for only a day and in that time seek to see all
there Is to be seen With fine weather during the
first week in September the Casino will contain
the largest and most fashionable gathering In It's
history.