Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-04
PURE AMATEUR IN COLFINC
II Sometimes Happens He is Not
What He Seems.
SOME VIEWS ON THE TOPIC
American and British Outline strict
Policy AGAINST Playing for Proai
Things . Clubmsn May
Not DO.

NEW YORK, April a. Any game or
recreation is a luxury Of greater or less
cost to an amateur who plays It.; when a
player cancels the cost or any part of 1t
by commercializing his golf he ceases to
be an amateur. The definition Of an ANA
teur in the United States was new in De-
cember. and while comprehensive enough.
II loses force by not being retroactive. The
British definition is % years old and so
carelessly woven that a coach and four
could be driven through II. An attitude of
some golfers toward the ethics of their
game is that OF the boy at Sunday school.
rs there any state worse than being in
mortal sin asked the teacher.
Sure burst out the knowing Junior.
Its being found out"
Another way of looking az II Is a story
OF old rowing days at New York. Organ
lied In 1AS and Incorporated in 1866. the
ATLANTA Boat club has f1ourished TO this
day, but for nearly thirty years the races
and regattas were on the Hudson and
rowed in gigs. After the opening OF the
club house on the Harlem and the intro
duction Of racing shell boats a member
brought one Df the old Battery professionals
to see a regatta.
well. what do you think Of our anna
tours now?' asked some one after the
races.
1T was fine enough said the veteran
Of clinker built boats. But these chaps
amt amateurs. Why, every one of them
can row."
Little Money Makes n Difference.
II is the golfers who "can row. but who
would like to make a little money on the
quiet through their skill in the game that
an,atour daffDitiopa a~o atu,ad AZ Tho ax-
actions are not severe II a golfer Is willing
to pay as he goes. However, as the new
American definition gives a clean bill of
health to everybody to January 1 only,
those who may be called down for acts
committed or to be committed need sit up
and take notice.
In a game played by so many for pure
enjoyment alone IL is a pity that any in
dividual may have to be watched; yet
there are thorns in roses, canker in the
sweetest frult-and golf is more free from
half amateurs than any other athletic
recreation. All the golf courses of the
world, except the proportion owned by in
dividuals-vcs pocket links-by hotels or
in public parks, are kept up by golfers who
are not professionals. They band them
selves into clubs for convenience OF man
agement. 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 a guest at invitation tournaments.
But should a person wish to play in the
amateur championship or ar open tourna-
ment although standing well as his club
he must have other qualifications to save
being protested.
Eject of New DispensatiOn.
II ever a professional in any branch of
athletics a candidate may not become an
amateur golfer. The Wright brothers, al
though famous in aviation and honored by
kings abroad, are debarred as golf
amateurs under the American rule. The
Golfers Magazine of Chicago makes this
analysis;
Under the new definition paid club sec
~retsries. club superintendents, managers or
bookkeepers merchants and statesmen OF
golf supplies. manufacturers who do not
personally make golf clubs or other golf
articles are not professionals. The super
intendent of a golf course who merely
10 not q professional. A civil engineer who
surveys q golf course does not profession
alize himself by such act. Heretofore he
did. The new definition is, however, very
emphatic regarding any one who accepts
money or any other consideration for play
Ing or teaching the game OF golf. II A
bets b 20 cents a hole on their match that
IL not playing for money In the sense or
an act constituting professionalism. The
purely clerical side of golf Is not con-
sidered as an act constituting professional
ism. The playing side when a Sonsidera :.
deemed professionalism. and justly so. me
near amateur will have to be extremely
careful In the future in order TO class
among the simon pure amateurs.
The edict against outside professionals