Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-09-22
SPEAKING CE COLE.

We incline, most of US, to poke con-
siderable fun at the golfer at the same
time approaching W it'll high respect the
baseball fan and the other sportively
inclined person who likes to sit in the
grand stand while several hobbled
thru the home stretch. Fishing rs an
ancient and honorable pursuit and gun
ming a most respectable form of pleas
ure to those who pursue and those who
observe. Golf. however. by those I'M
initiated is viewed as a harmless and
sissified amusement for old men. The
gunner and the baseballist and the
fisherman smiles in plying superiority
But the other day when the interna
tional golfing contest was being finished
5000 persons in rain coats and rubber
footwear tramped after the trio who
had eliminated all other contestants.
And the cheering which greeted the
victory of an American youth over the
two leading professionals of the world
were quite as strong as that which
greets the winning club or the horse
that finishes first in a derby. 1t was
all deserved. As a test of skill and en-
durance the winner had met the Oar
winian conditions and survived by the
right of the fttest.
But this large gallery and this spec
tacular win is the small side Of golf
even if it is likely to assist in popular
tzing the game. The real side Of it is
the fact that it offers athletic and men
tai recreation to all conditions Of men
In this bruising contest two men grow
ing old and boy fought out the finals.
SO far the game and its opportunity
stretches between youth and age, so
much it aids elderly muscles to retain
Skill and strength and suppleness suf-
ficient to hold their own. 1t was con-
tried every muscle, that demanded
every skill Of eye and hand the exer-
else of complete judgment and self con-
troll and the most perfect coordination
VI lHlIIu anu iIIUSSlSS. anu Cd4iit dl
the end Of week of daily contests.
Another thing is very noticeable in
this international contest The men
played the game without interference.
Imagine 5000 persons sitting al a base
ball game and sitting still and quiet
while the contest swung back and
forth. Imagine a baseball crowd ac-
cepting UNI pire's decisions without pro-
test, watching the game go on without
"guying" or boosting" But the 5000
persons, active and interested partisans
pulling for a favorfte entry down the
stretch watched the fight in silence.
There were one or two slight manifesto
tons but they were nipped in the bud
and apology made to the visiting con-
testants And 1t is likely that in future
contests that even the slightest dem
onstration which may encourage one or
fiutter another player will be absolutely
controlled as they are absolutely for
hidden.
There isn't enough golf or enough
opportunity for golf. The change of
conditions in our towns and cities sug-
gests municipal attention to precisely
such recreation opportunities as the
free golf links afford. AS towns grow
the opportunities for outdoor recreation
diminish. There is no form Of real
exercise in the open which can be
offered to as many persons with as
little expense as golf. It is good
game, q mans and a boys and a
woman's game. It is hedged in with
the rules Of fair play and manIiness. 1t
u the game Of health and good be-
havior. Let's encourage 1t. It pays in
keeping men alive and vigorous whose
r services We all need. AS social CEN
ter It can not be excelled. Des Moines
never made better investment than
when she bought the two golf links she