New-York tribune., 1909-11-30
NAY PLAY ABROAD
GOLFERS Make Plans
Professionals to Challenge
Leading British Experts.

As a result of the meeting or the East
ern Professional Golfers Association in
this city yesterday more international con-
tests are in sight. In fact. II is not un-
likely that the much mooted question with
regard TO the relative ability OF the pros
in America and Great Britain may be set
tied. The idea OF a match first suggested
itsels short time ago. when it was
learned that a number Of the leading pro-
fessionals were going abroad for the win
ter. and at the league meeting yesterday
this subject was practically the only one
discussed.
The outcome was that the secretary os
the Eastern Professional Golfers Associa-
ton was instructed TO challenge the Brit
ish Professional Golfers Association to a
match during the winter. Alec Smith,
champion Of the Eastern body in this coun-
try. was elected captain. and the arrange
ment OF further details will be left 10 him.
Well known resident pros who intend
TO sail shortly include Alec Smith. OF
Wykagyl; II. II. Barker. Of Garden City;
Isaac Mackie. OF Fox Hills: James Maiden
OF Nassau; Gilbert Nichols. OF wilmington:
Dave Hunter. OF Essex County. and Peter
Robertson. Of Pfttsburg
In discussing the question after the meet
ing Barker suggested that It would be a
good plan 10 play a series OF matches with
the different divisions. The professional
body on the other side IS divided into sew
eral minor associations such as the Scot
tisF, Welsh, Northern, Southern and Irish
As practically all the players who would
be selected from this side would be mem
bers Of the Eastern organization, a more
equal contest could doubtless be brought
about by playing matches with the differ
ent foreign divisions
Most OF the golfers who intend sailing
VIII have left these shores early in Janu-
airy. and it is generally conceded that the
visiting clan would have little difficulty
In being accommodated. Every winter the
cream OF the professionals OF Great Britain
cross over 10 the Continent 10 take part
in the open championship OF the south Of
France. and should the American repre-
sentatives decide 10 go there as we'll some
stirring struggles would be certain TO
follow.
Before Tom VardOn. who spent the sum-
mer and fall in this country, sailed for
home he declared that the leading profess
sionals over here could undoubtedly hold
their own with the best abroad on an
other occasion. Immediately after the brill
iant performance Of Alec Smith in the
four ball match at Apawamis Vardon said
that day was as fine as anything he had
ever seen. Whether or not a team picked
from such players as may happen to go
across this winter could hold its own
with the best in Great Britain is. OF
course. open 10 question. but the fact re-
mains THAI the pros over here have
risen greatly during the last few years.
and the only way 10 settle the question
OF supremacy Is in such meetings
The open championship. says "The Lon
don Field" takes place next year at St.
Andrews IN June The great difficulty
which confronts the authorities in the ANA
teur and open championships is the steady
rise which has taken place Of late years n
tho number OF competitors, and that IS a
difficulty which Will not be Iessened as the
years pass.
BY making the scoring extend over the
greater part OF a week is obviously a crude
remedy, while being in all respects TOO Sc
we're a trial 20 impose upon the competitors.
The qualifying round is also d method
which imposes a good deal OF hardship
The preliminary Sound Of thirty-six holes
in order 20 weed out a fairly large number
Of the competitors is. in its practical effect.
50 much waste effort because the qualify
ing round has 10 be followed by four medal
rounds before the winner Of the open cham
pionship can be declared. The experience
Of these thirty-siX holes for qualifying pur-
poses at Deal this year seemed to convince
the professionals and all those interested
In the game that II was a thousand ptties
20 ind that so much brilliant play by the
majority Of the professionals had 10 be ig-
nored for the effective purpose OF deciding
who should I'LL the position OF champion.
The result Of the informal discussions that
have taken place is TO convince the profes-
sionals that the existing conditions Of the
championship should be altered, at least tn
the extent Of counting the qualifying thirty
six holes as part Of the aggregate score.
1t is understood that the authorities con-
nected with the governing clubs are quite
willing TO adopt the suggestion, for the abo-
b lition of the qualifying round Will possess
the great value OF concentrating the play
within three days instead of four.
The qualifying rounds have always re-
vealed some curious scoring anomalies.
Young and hitherto unknown professionals
have returned cards with IS, 20, Il or -
and, although they have been unable TO
sustain this brilliant form over four or
six medal rounds, yet there seems 10 be JUS
tice in pleading that these young players
should have the benefit OF their fine play in
helping them 10 the ultimate result. in
stead os the score simply having the sec
ondary value OF securing them place in
the next days championship list.
The Rev. ]. q. Mcpherson died at For
farshire. Scotland, recently. after an i'll
ness Of several months. A native OF St
Andrews. where ne was born on June 2S
1S43. Dr. Mcpherson received his education
gha fa1Taga
After a period as head master at Hexham
Academy, he was called 70 the pastorate
Of Ruthven in 1870. and he has discharged
his duties there ever since.
Dr McPhersof in his younger days was
a golfer Of exceptional ability. and there
are on record accounts OF many close
matches tetween him and the late Tom
Norris. I.atterly TT. Mcpherson con-
tI5uted frequent magazine articles on golc
and Le was always stanch champion OF
golf at its best" as he was pleased 10
style the game as played thirty and forty
years ago.