Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-17
Millions Expended
By Golf Adherents
At Favorite Game

NEW YORK, Dec. 1s--Few people, even
those intimately acquainted with golf,
ever stop 10 think of the immensity OF
the financial status OF the game. per-
son with q propensity for figures might
do arithmetic all night and merely be-
gin TO realize TIE remarkable amount OF
money spent each year by golfers at
their favorite game. II Is not matter Of
thousands. or even hundreds OF thou
sands, but Of millions. Add TO the cost
OF upkeep the original amount expended
on the erection OF club houses and equip
ment, ground. work on courses, etc, and
the figures are increased IN arithmetical
progression to such an extent that the
total is practically inestimable. A well
known professional recently estimated
that there were 1880 golf clubs in the
United states outside OF some 760 summer
and winter resort clubs. OF course, the
investment IN the club house and the
land incident to the course varies with
the ability OF the club members 70 spend
the money.
out at Nassau the club house alone
cost in the neighborhood OF sioo000, while
AT Baitusrol the house required an ex-
pendlture OF close 10 $4,000, The Lake
Shore Country club OF Chicago has spent
and locker rooms. When Il is considered
that there are eight-seven clubs in the
immediate vicinity of New York. and
that there are more than forty within an
hours ride from Chicago. and that every
city has it's clientele OF golfers. some
Idea Of the immensity OF the original In
vestment may be obtained. This Is con-
siderlng only club houses and courses.
These figures are vastly increased when
the original purchase OF the land needed
by the courses Is taken into considerR-
tion. IL Is. estimated that the average
oighteen-hole course win require close 10
seventy acres. although some occupy
a couple OF hundred acres. Nine-hole
courses require forty 90 fifty acres. Then
there Is the cost Of grading and putting
the course into shape, TO mention nothing
OF some 5000 or $500 year for ppkeep.
An English writer. In estimating the
financial importance OF golf in that ooun-
try. says that there are nearly 1000 clubs
in the British isles. nearly Is per cent Of
which have their own courses. lie figures
that more than 10000 acres OF land IN
Great Britain are devoted 20 the use OF
golf. lie counts $50 clubs within easy
reach OF charing Cross. London,
This same writer, who goes into minute
detail regarding the gamc In Great Brit
ain says. that there are 10000 or 00,0oo
members. and that the nations annual
golf bill amounts to from 100000 10 SIS.
o00O00. lie makes the interesting comparl-
son that fifty years ago there were only
two golf clubs IN England. one az Man
chester and the other az Blackhealth, and
that they had probably not more than
a0l members between them. He figures
that there are 2OOOO golf club members
In London alone.
AS Cor Individual expenditures, they are
variously estimated on both sides OF the
water, depending, OF course, on the fat
ness Of the Individual purse. The afore-
mentioned professional. In roughly esti-
mating his expenses In America, says that
the dues and incidentals are much higher
here than in Great Britain. Ia America
golf balls cost on an average Of 20 cents
while over there the popular price Is q
cents. Golf club here cost from e TO s,
each, while on the other side one can SET
a good club for $50 or a.
Dues for club membership is another
item 20 be considered In this country
membership IN a big club win cost $40
annually. In some OF the smaller clubs
dues range from SIS 10 $50 Then thers
are other fees and expenses galore. which
while small. amount TO a tremendous sg
sregate.
No American figures OF the travel Of
Eoifsra are obtainable. although IN Eng
land ons railroad estimated that II car
ried 1900 golfers 10 one club outside o.
London. ana that It's revenues from play
era amounted cloao "a kE9 Oo0