The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-25
THE AMATEUR IN THE CAME OF GOLF Sometimes Happens He Is Not
 What He Seems EASY TO BE PROFESSIONAL When Player Cancels Expense or Any Part of It By commercializing
 He Is No Longer a True
 Amateur.
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
 Any game or recreation Is a luxury of greater or less cost to an amateur who plays it; when player concels the cost or any part of it by commercializing his golf he ceases to be a true amateur The definition of an amateur in the United States was new in December, and while comprehensive enough, 1t loses force by not being retroactive The English defi- nltion is 2S years old and so carelessly woven that a coach and four could be driven through It. An attitude of some golfers toward the ethics of their game Is that of the boy at Sunday school
 ''Is there any state worse than being in mortal sln ?" asked the teacher. Sure" burst out the knowing junior, Its being found out"
 Another way of looking at it is a story of old rowing days at New York. Organ ized in 1S4S and Incorporated in 1S66 the Atlantic Boat club has fourished to this day. but for nearly 30 years the races and regattas were on the Hudson and rowed in gigs. After the opening of tns clubhouse on the Harlem and the intro duction of racing shell boats a member brought one of the old Battery profession als to see a regatta
 Well, what do you think of our anna teurs now?" asked some one after the races
 Tt was fine enough" said the veteran of clinker built boats. But these chaps ain't amateurs. Why, every one of them can row'
 It is the golfers who "can row." but who would like to make little money on the quiet through their skill in the game, that the amateur definitions are aimed at? The exactions are not severe if golfer is willing to pay as he goes. How a Afaa daf1 init m gives a clean bill of health to everybody to January l, only those who may be called down for act committed or to be committed need sit up and take notice.
 In a game played by so many for pure enjoyment alone 1t Is a pity that any individual may have to be watched; yet there are thorns In roses, canker in the sweetest fruit-and golf is more free from half amateurs than any other ath- letio recreation. All the golf courses of the world. except the proportion owned by individuals-vest pocket links-by ho- tels or in public parks, are kept up by golfers who are not professionals. They band themselves into clubs for convent ence of management. Every member who keeps his dues and house charges paid up is an amateur in good standing at his club and may join in it's competitions, team matches, or as guest at invitation tournaments. But should a person wish to play in the amateur championship or an open tournament although stand ing well at his own club, he must have other qualifications to save being pro- tested.
 If ever a professional in any branch of athletics, a candidate may not now be- come an amateur golfer. The Wright brothers, although famous in aviation and honored by kings abroad, are debarred as golf amateurs under the American 5-f,1a ba Map nf makes this analysis:
 Under the new definition paid club sec retaries, club superintendents, managers or bookkeepers, merchants, and salesmen of golf supplies. manufacturers who do not personally make golf clubs or other golf articles are not professionals. The superintendent of a golf course who mere ly hires and directs the work of the laborers is not a professional. civil engineer who surveys a golf course does not professonalize himself by such an act. Heretofore he did The new def1ni- ton is, however, very emphatic regard ing any one who accepts money or any other consideration for playing or teach ing the game of golf If bets B 70 cents a hole on their match that Is not playing for money in the sense of an act constituting professionalism. The purely clerical side of golf Is not con sidered as an act constituting profes- sionalism. The playing side. when con- sideration for the act of playing is &C., cepted Is deemed professionalism, and justly so. The near amateur will have to be extremely careful in the future in order to class among the simon-pure anna teurs"
 The edict against outside professionals may compel the '. s. G. A to pass on some intricate cases of near amateurism that the A. A. '. and other organiza- tions may have passed up as nuts too hard to crack.