Imperial Valley press., 1914-02-07
Frank Menke's
Sporting Letter

New York, Feb. 7.-Francis Our
met, 20 year old open golf champion,
denies the charges made by coterie
of English golfers that he is
tainted" amateur, and therefore in
eligible to compete in the amateur
championship at Sandwich, England,
next summer.
This set of English sportsmen claim
to be in possession Of facts showing
that Ouimet acquired a taint by cad
dying for pay after he had reached the
age of 16. Horace Hutchison, an
English golf authority, and the guar
dian angel of all things amateur in
England, is the prime mover in the
agitation against Ouimet entering the
English tournament.
"FactS before me tend to show that
Mr.. Ouimet caddied for money after
he became 16 years of age" declared
Mr. Hutchison. "This would still leave
him clean amateur according to the
Scottish rule, but that rule will not
govern. 1t will be the English rules
and the American rules that will apply
to Mr.. Ouimet.
GA rule of the United States Golf
association is very clear on this point,
and specifically declares that any cad
dy who accepts pay for his work after
becoming 16 years of age no longer
is simon pure amateur. Such is true
in the case Of Mr.. Ouimet, from what
so far have learned, and therefore he
is not eligible to compete in an anna
teur tournament"
Ouimet, however, denies the charge.
Il stopped caddying when l was
49," he said. "Never after that did
| do anything that would interfere in
any way with my amateur standing. |
am not worrying over the charges
made against me, for they have been
made in error. When the test comes
! shall prove that | am an amateur
without the semblance of taint."
Hutchison and his set, who are try
ing to bar Ouimet, lack the support
of the English sporting public. The
Englishmen, for the large part, are
mighty anxious to see the conqueror
of Ray and Vardon in action, and
they are hopeful that the juvenile
golfing wonder can clear himself.
The Massachusetts Golf association
which has authority over all players
whose homes are in that state, soon
will make complete investigation of
the charges against Ouimet. They dc
not want to let him go to England as
the representative from this country
and then have him barred from play
ing. The English golfers who have
raised the charge of professionalism
against Ouimet will abide by the ruling
of the Massachusetts association.
Owing to the fact that Outmet was
earning only SIS week when he won
the championship, and comes from a
family not too plentifully supplied
with funds, the members of the Wood
land Golf Club have subscribed fund
which will be given TO him. This fund
is large enough to cover all the ex-
penses of the trip.
Ouimet, it is said, has improved his
game since he surprised the golfng
world by beating Vardon and Ray, the
two wonderful Englishmen, and those
who have seen him in action recently
declare he will furnish newer sur
Rrises when he goes against the crack
English amateurs.
The most wonderful thing about
Oulmet, as a golfer, is his GOODNESS
and nerve, especially in tight places
Nothing seems to rattle him or make
him nervous, and many of his Ameri-
can friends feel that by these assets
added to the fact that he is a wonder
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