The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-01-17
GOLF CHAMPIONS
RULES NEED CHANGE
Many Think Title Holder
Should Not Be Com
PEELED to Qualify.
WEST AFTER TOURNAMENT
Would Entertain Amateurs This Year,
and Has Several Good Courses
for National Competition.

Lively discussions on several import
ant subjects are promised at the annual
meeting OF the United states Golf Asso-
citation, TO be held in Chicago tomor-
row night.
As the Western delegates are plan
ming 10 be represented in force, they
may get control. and then there is no
telling what radical steps may be taken.
This will be the first time IN the his
tory OF The organization that the an
nual gathering has not been held ia this
city.
Champion Shouldn't Qualify.
A point 10 be brought up which prom
lses 70 provoke argument has 10 do
with the title holder. In the opinion
OF some II has always seemed absurd
TO require the champion 10 qualify IN
order 10 defend an honor already his.
II Is claimed that he should, by virtue
o. his being the champion, be exempt
from play IN the qualifying round, that
real qualifying round is to determine
what players shall have the right TO
contest Tor the honor, and that the
champion certainly has, without Ques-
tim. the right 10 defend his title.
she uld this suggestion be acted on IA
voraoly at the meeting II would mean
that IA the 1907 championship thirty-Ons
instead OF thirty-tWO players would
qualify, thus leaving a place for the
title holder, who would, OF course, be
obliged 10 defend his position against
all corners and take his luck in the
ORA" al match play the same as Tie
others.
Tournament Limits.
Although the game is growing stead
lily IN this country, and the influence
of the parent body is constantly being
extended over wider area. it is gen
erailyN admitted that to hold the anna
teur championship south of Baltimore
OF west OF ChicagO-fOr the present al
ieast-would mean a championship In
name only Twelve amateur champion
ships have been held by the L. 5. G.
A. Six have been over courses al
/ the metropolitan district-four in tbs
| ChicaBo section one at Newport, ane
one al Atlantic City.
Ordinarily the chances would be fav-
orably 10 a Chicago selection. but the
fact mat a special appeal has beer
made Gy the women 10 have their $50
national event held at Midlothian, may
/ influence the vote in favor OF an East
/ ern course for the amateur.
, To be sure. there is no rule 10 pre-
/ vent both the amateur and women
tournaments being held out Chicags
/ way, hut such a state Of things /.
/ highly improbable.
Good Western Courses.
The Euclid Country Club is in ever
/ way suited for the amateur eFent, anC
/ Tor that matter so is the ApaaEmi,
Club. Then there is the Fox HIu
course. which, with a little lengtheiIlng
would make an ideal spot New York
| ers would be glad 10 see the blue ribbon
/ event awarded to either Apawauis Of
Fox Hills. but should II be offered 10
I Boston club. little opposition would bi
/ raised, for the reason that the amate
/ championship has never been held owe
/ a Massachusetts, green.
/ Unless some strong pressure 8.
4 brought to bear at the eleventh hour +
/ looks as II the open would at last go [.
/ Philadelphia Clubs never do appeal
/ very anxious 10 secure the pTofes
l iOnals, and for that reason the Unite
/ States Golf Association may be glad q
Z accept the OfIeF OF the PHILADELPHIA
! Cricket Club this year.