New-York tribune., 1901-12-08
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GOLF
TRAVIS DEFENDS HIS FLORIDA TRIP
HIS OPINION OF THE NEW
AMATEUR RULE.

Tor the Ere. time s!aee the Appearance ef the
charges assinet HE standing an amateur waiter
J. Travis the national golf champion. consented
.ss,e-ay TO give come Of the inside history OF the
ease II was In answer to an Inquiry as 70 His
eols,e r,aaa for the winter that the champion
wa. led into description OF the circumstances that
attended the much discussed Florida uip year
ago Mr. Travis when asked .f he intended going
South this winter replied that there "as ''i's
likelihood OF his making the "trip.
The fact Is" said Mr.. Travis, my experience
O. las. year brought into such unenNaeie
sotortety .hae do not wish any possible rePeo-
t.oa OF the charges and ACCUSATIONS whicn gre"
out ot my last Florida trip with which nearly
every golfer Is familiar. Very few, however hho"
,he fact. OF the case. About year ago accepted
the Invitation OF very enthusiastic
Eolscr-who has large property interests IN
embracing railways and hotels. TO form one OF d
party to mako Of the Florida courses IN ms
private car Before the dnto arranged for our de-
nsr.ure he got tangled up in family will case and
couldn't accompany We were, however, fur-
nissed with railway passes, and went on "'shoul
him. stayed at two Of his hotels as MS guest
slso visited Jacksonville and Richmond Na'' On
NV own hook Al none Of the places where L
stopped Gid play in any exhibition matches OF
tournaments
This incident was seized upon some months
stte-wa-d by a magazine publisher to pilloTy me
rs professional had declined some time previ-
ousy TO contribute at his request certain articles
istics OF well known golfers Charges were mace
rejecting upon my status rs an amateur coupieo
with the statement that my connection with the
Garden City Golf Club was highly discredtable to
me I have recently nailed the latter lie. by the
way
THE outcome was that the United States Golf
Association without calling upon TO Offer any
thing in rebuttsl put fts seal and Endorsement on
the affair by making certain additions to It's rues
regarding the definition OF amateur
fsNov for the ludicrOuS part or the larce- te
4zra1 irXrif al rianf TO
tournament as the guest OF one or the rlelloeIs
Of the club I Immediately wrote 10 the
know whether the acceptance Of the inVitatloll'
would irvalidate my standing as an amateur ana
received q rCplv that it you'd nSt II not, why
not? That's what perpiexes me The same p[lii-
cinle IS involved in both cases OF course II rigor-
o,isly and religiously applied. 1t would mean that
practically the entire amateur class "oulo DC
Il happen TO know that. were IT not for our
absurd legislation, there would be strong prooa-
bility Of visit from British team OF amateurs
I,aidiay Hutchinson, Graham: Low and Mure
Ferguson. Think of the good this would DO Amer
team golf, But it is impossible under existing cir
Robert b Kerr the secretary Of the United
States Golf Association, was seen later ano when
asked about the letter referred TO by MI iIaEls
said: II suppose he has IN mind letter whlch ne
sent TO me Just before the Thanksgiving week
tournament at Lakewood. in which he asked
whether would be permissible for him 10 acceps
Golf Club secretary. be his guest for the tour
nan1ent. II didn't make much impression on ms;
as believed be in fun replied that 1t woulo
be all right for him 20 accept But Just row lfat
hears on his Southern trip | fail TO see 1t was
merely invitation from member OF tne cluo
to have him stay at his house for the week. si, .s
had intention at present OF taxing any
action one way or the other regarding the affair