New-York tribune., 1907-12-20
on THE GOLF LINKS.
Olympic Cup Incident WW Not
Dozcn-Montclair Club officers.

The incident in the Olympic Cup competition at
Cleveland. by the Metropolitan Golf Associa-
ton team, in which jerome n. Travers. the Da-
tioral champion, teed up his ball the fair green
after getting in trouble for the loss of two strokes,
will not down. S. P. Jermain. Western golfer
writing under his signature In The golfers Masa-
zine says, in part:
'I witnessed the Travers incident, as L was fol-
lowing that player and Mr.. Wood. Others saw IL
and also know the actual truth in The matter IL
was clearly known that Travers could have teed
his ball a short distance back of the unplayabie
line which he lifted it. There was, in fact an
excellent place DIETER than found In most such sit
uations). 1t only few yards back OF the
spot where his ball landed from his drive The
onlookers thought that he meant to use TINS spot
which would still have kept the original obstruc-
tion between his ball and the hole, but he clearly
considered the degree of the penalty TO be suffered
and that only. The question OF warrant was not
then and is not now whether he or the man from
whom he last sought advice considered the penalty
of two strokes severe enough to entitle him TO tee
where he chose provided the favorable spot he Sc
iected was not nearer the hole.
The penalty is undoubtedly severe; but tho
question all hinges upon the rule Let US 'hew to
the line Did he plainly break the rule? He GER
tainiy did. Rule 10 is mandatory and leaves no op-
ton. 1t says: A bail lifted shall be teed II pos
sibe behind the place where it lay 1t does not
say # convenient or in all ways practicable, or
agreeable All such Interpretation is too elastic
and could be stretched to cover almost any gollnS
license
'In these days of championships. great and small
of strenuous competitions for medals and cups ad
bitun, ignorance CT wiiful ignoring of the rules
is far common and fruitful of much unfalrness
and inequality as between man and man. Thus the
way has been opened for practices in play tend
ing moral atrophy and very foreign to the tine
spirit OF tho game. Golf At Its Best Titles
are empty and prizes Of finest gold OF little mo-
ment over against the methods by which they are
come at. If practices which are in any way open
to grave question, much less palpabe disqualified
ton are hereafter allowed to pass as matter Of
course there would soon come time of disregard
of all golf law and equity and each player become
a law unto himself.
At the annual meeting of the Montclair Golf
Club on Wednesday night the most satisfactory
financial report in the history of the organization
was presented The total membership approaches
closely limit of 80 resident and 100 non-resi-
dent members. The following officers were elected
the coming year: President. II. Fl. Spies; vice
president. T. w. Stephens, secretary-treasuTer.
Walter Brown; captain, j. A Kelsey: grounds com
mttee, Paul Wilcox (chairman). j. A Kelsey.
house committee, w. 3. Perley tchairman), f. w
Townsend: membership committee, {. ID. Backus
(chairInan), T W. Stephens; tournament commit
tee, J. A. Kelsey (chairnanl Paul WILCOX.