New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-21
ON THE GOLF LINKS
COURSE TO BE NAMED.
Definition of Bunker" to
Settle Controversies.

>~Ofttf wv ofHNs
An early decision is expected with regard
20 the selecting OF a course for the next
amateur championship tournament OF the
Metropolitan Golf Association. In discuss
ing the subject last night W. D. Wander
pool. the secretary, stated that II would
be unfair to the clubs to defer action until
spring II for no other reason than that II
would not give the successful applicant suf-
hcient time TO make such improvements and
changes as might be deemed advisable
II will be remembered that at the annual
meeting Of the metropolitan body last week
no fewer than four applications were re-
ceived for the tournament. Delegates from
the Morris County. Midland. Fox Hills and
Montclair clubs asked for the privilege.
and incidentally confronted the executive
committee with an unusual situation. Here
tofore this attraction has gone begging.
The only one Of the four that has had this
championship is Fox Hills. The national
amateur championship tournament was held
at Morris County in 1898, and a few years
ago Archie Graham won the New Jersey
title there. NIontclair was the scene of the
New Jersey State tournament last summer.
but thus far no important competition has
been decided over the Salisbury links where
the Midland club has its headquarters.
II is the intention Of Mr.. Vanderpool 10
make the year book OF the Metropolitan
Golf Association more complete and attrac-
tive. He is about 70 undertake the task OF
compiling a summary of the annual cham
pionship tournaments since they began in
1893 Thus far no application has been re-
ceived for the metropolitan open.
Despite the efforts OF the Royal and An
cient rules committee. golfers continue TO
disagree on certain points. Throughout the
last season many nineteenth hole" argu-
ments were heard over that old question as
20 what comprises a bunker The follow
ing. given out by the secretary Of the Royal
and Ancient committee, will throw some
light on the subject:
Definition describes hazard as
"snv bunker water except casual water.
path road, ditch. bush or PUSHES. In the
1907 rules railways. whin, RABBIT scrdpes
and fences we're also mentioned. ,'rG az,
less II be within the limits OF d denheu
hazard Had the word bunker neen
SYNONYMOUS with the word hazard, theEe
would have been no necessity in detnition
8 20 say more than - haEaFd II any
bunker The term bunker uenotes
Pit or hole In the ground exposing me sou
A bunker NAV be natural or aruncial-
sand is generally considered the best SUD
stance TO form the bottom or a ouuhe.'
NM IN is not necessary 20 its definition. A
cor is merely a turf wall When used in
addition 10 a bunker. II Is the duty ol
course 10 state whether the cops arc or
are not in whole or tt part, 10 DC tIedINu
hazards A grass coyersd mo1 1ro, Il M no
many seaside courses in this county, Woulu
consis- principally Of hazards hal IN, Ine
term bunker" has always had us alstli1 ~
ana separate meaning may be seen ~
reference 10 the older codes OF rules'
ON the whole. the new rules of golf
which came into use the beginning or the
wear are satisfactory 10 the players They
have had a good trial wherever the game
has a foothold, and II is noticed that the
complaints are far less than formerly In
discussing the question recently well
known amateur said:
The rule which provides for hall which
Is driven out OF bounds from the tee be
ing reteed instead of dropped on the
cr0uua or turf has kept the teelng GROUNDS
free from sclaff marks and holes. ana al al
the same time has prevented congestion
and enabled the PLAYERS 10 get around Iis
links in quicker time. ball simply
Iong distance very often IL II topped into
the rough and in former years players
were usually kept waiting a. the tee ioI
their unfortunate brethren VINO had sllced
OF pulled a ball out Of bounds -
The making OF a rule also. Whlcn per
,,,its a baU which seems 10 have gone
= \
out OF bounds instead Of being considered
lost provided. Of course. five minutes
search is made for IT. has cleared up
noint on which there has always been
great amount Of discussion The fight or
the ball Is at times directly in the face or
tho sun and cannot he followed by the eye
Tho charity in this rule has been OF ser
vice 10 many the last year and none VIII
gainsav It's fairness.
Tho rule which has done the most good
for duickening the play and making golf
a wee biz more difficult is where no brush
ing OF the line Of the putt Is permitted.
The little pebbles and tiny bits Of loose
turf or any substance foreign to a good
putting green are quickly picked M, and
II any worm casts are In the way they
are brushed aside with tho putter. The
putting has I'm no wise suffered I'm quality,
although AZ the beginning Of the year
MANY golfers had visions Of countless
missed puts all on account or these irreg-
ularities. which are always present and
which IN former wears were always got rid
Of in more or less impressive manner.