Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-16
THE GAME OF GOLF
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

| y
The concluding chapter of the 1910 con-
! test for the amateur golf championship of
America will be written at Brookline,
Mass, tomorrow.
This championship is one OF the covet-
ed honors of the golfing world and always
has been a we'll contested event. Last
year the victory went to X. "A Gardner,
who, at Wheaton. ILL.,, defeated H. C.
Egan, in a thirty-six-hole match, four
up and two to play.
In the amateur championship the match
form of playing is used. the score being
reckoned by the number OF hoieS. In the
United States open championship the play
was what is known as the medal game
where the score is reckoned by strokes.
and George Sargent of Hyde Manor, Yer
mont, won it by setting new record of
go.
Golf has become one of the established
sports in America and may fairly be said
to have sue
Golf Well Established ceeded horse
in America. snort Of kings
With President Taft golf enthusiast. as
well as base ball fan, golf practically
has become the game of American Off
cial life
| It's beginning in America dates back
many years, but as we'll organized sport
with a competent national body to super
wise Il the game had its beginning IN
the United States in 1894. In that year
five of the leading clubs Of the country
got together and laid the foundations OF
the United States Golf Association, which
has become the recognized court of last
resort In all matters pertaining to golf
in the United States.
At this time there is considerable COM
plant on the part of those interested in
this national association over the fact
that only % per cent of the golf clubs
of the country belong to the national or
ganzation. The membership of a club
In the national organization entities the
members of the club to take part in all
of the national championship contests,
and costs only $40 year per club.
s.
There are about 1000 recognized golf
clubs in the United States today. and
some twenty
One Thousand Clubs five in Canada.
in the United States. that the mem
bership of these clubs approximates half
million. There are many links throughout
the country, yet only comparatively few
Of them are extended enough to justify
being called by that name. Near Chicago
an old race track and fair grounds has
been converted into a golf course, and
there one may play upon the payment OF
a stipulated fee per annum.
Here one has fine picture of the pass
ing of horse racing and the rise OF golf
as the favorite sport OF prominent Amer
leans. In the days of Washington 1t was
to the turf that the official life OF the ma
ton turned for its amusement. and the
first President often took part either as a
Judge, an owner or a spectator, In the
racing events of his time
In these latter days one would hardly
expect to ste the President at the track
Sloe, but he is likely TO zoe found on the
links when his or1lcial duties will permit.
q
The first golf club in the United States
was the ST. Andrews Club at lonkers,
n. Y, organ
St. Andrews Club lied in !lsss.
Is Oldest in America. tae links con.
sisted of six holes from 100 TO 80 yards
apart. This club was named after the
historic ANDREW NluD III
which is the foremost golfing organization
Of the world
People were slow in adopting the game,
most men thinking it too Simple to justify
their becoming enthusiastic over 1t. Iney
regarded II as nothing more than chasing
a gutta percha ball across cow pasture.
But everybody VINO mas any serious ac-
quaintance with it knows that there is no
other sport in the world that requires
steadier nerve or greater generalsnlp than
golf, under the many hazards and Gittl.
cullIes that have been placed around the
game. :. =
1t is said that President Taft holds the
record OF Official America for long drive.
AT Salt Lake City last year he made AL
exhibition drive Of 2UO yaros. there its d
professional record of oS1 yaros, while
Miss Margaret Curtis holds the woman's
record with a drive of 20 yards.
There is at this time considerable agita
ton among golting enthusiasts over the
decision OF the ST. andrews Club that the
croquet-rnallet form OF club, known as the
Schenectady club. is not to be recognized
IN the English rules. This form OF club
was brought out first in England, and
stood we'll until it was adopted in
America.
Another matter of consideration is the
pay of the professional golfers of the
country. In the days of the gutta percha
ball they made enough money out Of the
sale OF balls to supplement their salary
sufficiently to give them a living income.
Since the rubber-cored BAH has come
into USE this means of getting a profit
out Of their business has been curtaiied.
~.
Golf is said to be an evolution of
hockey, with chole as the transitory stage
between the
ROYAL Game of Golf two. In chole
r,A: - rr, the players
Va A-oo1J' would pick
out some object to be hit from two to
five miles away from the starting point,
and the winner was the one who hit ii in
the fewest number Of strokes. One Of
the favorite goals in this game was a
church door