New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-09
FEAR CADDY SHORTAGE
FOR COMING SEASON
Boys Have Become Almost In.
dispensabIe to American
Golfers.
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SOME
Several of the Best Homebreds
Once Carried the Bag, and
the Field Is Still
Open.

IN nineteenth hole" discussion the
other night an official of a well known
nearby golf club expressed fears for
caddy shortage during the coming season
He gave as a reason the increasing df.
Guilty in securing good boys-somethIns
that had made itself apparent more ana
more for several years. Why caddIes
should become scarce is not easily ex
planned. although doubtless one reason Is
because OF the unusual demand in this
vicinity.
1t has been estimated that about l2oO
caddies are employed on the various
courses in Great Britain, and while It
would be little more than conjecture to
attempt to place figure on the number
employed IN America, il is freely conceded
that the total here is much larger. In
addition TO being liberal Americans have
come 10 regard the caddy as almost q
necessity, quite different from abroad,
where many golfers do most of their own
carrying
Hereabouts it is no uncommon occur
renee for a duffer to use his caddie in the
nature OF coach, especially where the
boy Is at all apt and shows by word and
action a more than ordinary knowledge OF
the game. Foreign writer's sometimes
stamp caddes as a nuisance, but they do
not cause much trouble here, especially
when handled properly.
II seems that a we'll regulated caddie
system Is indispensable to the average
American club, and this is particularly
| true where there is . large Membership
| OF women. More reliance is placed on
| the advice Of cadoie by woman player
than by a man; in feet. there are num-
Der OF we'll known women players who 60
almost entirely by their caddie's advice.
, IL they play poorly or get into trap they
excuse themselves by blaming the caddis.
OFTEN It has been said that there is
little future for these lads who carry
clubs and frequently give good advice.
An intelligent youth can make his ser
vices of great demand by studying the
finer points Of the game and giving all
vice In accordance with his observations.
| and many a caddie is thereby promoted
! to better job.
| Some of the best known American pro-
| fessonals among the homebreds were
| formerly caddies, and perhaps here is
! field that readily Is opened to a youth
| who ievotes will directed thought to the
game. Often between rounds caddy
cares for his employers clubs. and some
| times a youngster may be seen at mos,
any club apart from the others swinging
away for dear life, as IL 10 indicate tina,
he had ambitions to be a good golfe,
| some day.
At
| the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club last sum-
mer a caddy was observed actually prac-
Using with clubs and balls while his EN-
| ployer was at luncheon. This particular
youngster was seen by several authori-
ties and was declared to have the re-
auisltes of a good player In him. HIS
swing was worthy OF hardened veteran.
II would appear as If the professions
ranks were the natural object FOR the
average caddy. but few there are who
| reach that goal. In some places the club
members have organized sort OF vigil
ance committee 20 look after the Interests
| of these youths when they have devel-
oped sufficiently to take up another liue
| OF work 1t is fortunate. however tnal
the time when golf courses are mostly
used it when the boys are out OF scnoo.
so that an ambitious lad can caddy ann
continue his studying which may UNI
| mately solve the riddle
The interest on the part OF American
golfers in the game in Great Britain mas
been aroused more than ever by the an
nouncement of the change OF dates Oh
the national open championship from
June 4 and to September Il and IT, thsse
dates not only permitting the American
professionals to get back In time from
their European visit but 10 make
possible for Edward Ray, the Brfisn
open champion. and Harry Narnon' n''
times the holder OF the title. TO compete
There is a possibility OF George duncan
changing his plans for visit to IN"
United States in the fall, so as 70 De
here early enough for the open; in fsct
il il looked upon as almost certain that
this will be done.
Thirteen years ago Vardon visited
America and competed in the national
open at Wheaton. lie took the title noins
with him. Ray. however, has never Viz
tied these shores. nor has Duncan ever
American golfers. therefore. have han
little opportunity In the last twelve yesrs
TO see any of the three greatest Briusn
professionals at close range. Ray ls on
IN comparatively new school, "nic
Duncan may be said to have taken ms
place In the front rank since ne Was
here two years ago for an exhibition tou''
II was Duncan who led the BRUSH pr
fessionals in percentage OF winnings Ios
1912. He took part in 80 competition
and won 20. or ST. per cent. Ray. t.s
champion. competed In Al and won 90
or a percentage OF Sc. Vardon howevei'
started in nearly twice as many rs p,',
can and still had percentage oi ,l.o,,
Nardon won six matches from BRAID, Ioss
, three and halved one. and when II CONES
to stroke play Vardon easily heads INV
list ,o,o ms
Vardona medal average for lylZ No.
743. nearly stroke lower than IN ILL
Iplncans average was 744. nearly wv
strokes lower while Ray had 't;n; o.
compared with Isl year before. Tnese
three men were the only British Soie''
10 average better than 10.
POLYS DEFEAT YALE ROVERS'
The Poly Institute basketball team de-