The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-14
US. G. A. SEEKS new
AMATEUR DEFINITION
President Watson Alleges That
Professionalism Exists
in Golf Ranks.
ASKS CLUBS FOR OPINIONS
Cites Writer'S on Golf. Those
Who Accept Implements
and Travelling Expense.

10 making headway among the ranks or
the amateur golfers OF the United States, |
Robert G. Watson. president OF the
United States Golf Association, has
written n letter to the secretaries OF clubs
which are members OF the Association,
calling their attention to certain facts that
have come to light. and asking for sug-
gest!ons from them and from tho govern
ing boards OF their clubs. with Il view to
amending the present definition of an
amateur golfer. The move thus initiated
by the L. $. q. A. may be far reaching
in its effects. and may presage the elimi-
nation from the amateur ranks OF many
OF the most prominent golfers in tho
United States, II certain practices which
are criticised are not done away with.
Thc matter Is best explained by quoting
Mr.. watson's letter written to the club
secretaries. 1t reads as follows
owing TO the fact that certain situs-
tons now exist, II II necessary to change
Section 7 OF the BYLAWS OF this Associa-
ton, which defines the status of an anna
teur golf player.
1T IL to be regretted that certain play
ers. members of clubs belonging to the
United States Golf Association. have been
and are utilzng their golfnx ability IN
various phases for cash remuneration,
directly or indirectly, which Is In violation
heretofore, does now. and always WILL
attempt to Keep the game clean. but. un-
fortunately. scmi-profess. onalism. and. In
fact, practically out and out profes
sionalism. Is creeping into our ranks
and must be stopped before IL becomes
"A serious menace.
THE following facts are now In evil
dence and submitted 20 you and your
board for careful consideration
81. Amateur golf players are and have
been pskng and receiving cash reinuner-
alton for laying out golf courses. criti-
cising same and making changes In their
present physical construction.
80. Amateur golf players are and have
been accepting cash remuneration for
writing articles in newspapers explaining
In detail how to play certain shots.
"3. Amateur golf players are and have
been accepting free board and travelling
expenses from hotels. &c. to play In
tournaments and exhibition matches In
order to add to the interest In the events
for advertisement purposes.
- Amateur golf players are and have
been accepting and using exclusively for
advertisement purposes, free OF charge,
certain makes Of golf balls and golf clubs
and other golf articles.
Summing IL UP. prominence In the
game OF golf IL now being used by ANA
tours for the purpose Of cash remuner-
alton. directly or otherwise 10 themselves.
KINDLY analyze carefully copy OF sec
ton : of the bylaws and submit To me
any changes amendments suggested
by your board"
To this letter is attached copy OF
section ! OF the L. =. -. \. bylaws.
which contains the definition of an anna
tour and which reads as follows:
NO person shall be considered an anna
teur golfer or shall he eligible TO compete
In the amateur championship of this ASSOC
citation or In any event for amateurs au-
thorized or held by ii. who accepts or has
accepted, directly or indirectly. any fe'.
gratuty. money or other consideration for
playing or teaching the game OF golf, o.
who personally makes or repairs golr
clubs. golf balls or other golf articles for
pay. or who after the age of l6 years ha
received pay for services as caddie cad
die master or green keeper. or who IL or
has been professional in any other
branch Of athletics; provided. however
that any person who is or at any time be-
comes ineligible as an amateur 10y reason
Of this bylaw may be relustat"d upon
giving t. thu executive committee Of this
association satisfactory evidence of merit
Ing such reinstatement. Nothing herein
contained shall require reinstatement al
an amntcur of any person IA good stand
ing M such on January /. 1903. under the
provisions of section Of the bylaws OF
this association then In force"
II will be seen that although Mr..
Watson declares In his letter tina, "A
change In the amateur definition Is neces-
sary, the question IL to be submitted 10
the clubs which ara members OF the
United state Golf Association before any
positive action Is taken. So that IL is by
no means certain or even probable that
all of the practices described in the
( letter will be prohibited In the future.
II they should he. havoc would be
wrought In the ranks OF the leading
amateur golfers of the present. day
Ouimct, Evans, Travis. John q Anderson
Max Behr and others of less prominence
are writing or nave written newspaper
articles about golf. although many OF the
articles written by the golfers Just men
toned would not fall under the limitation
indicated by tho words explaining IN
detail how to play certain Shots Per
haps the 4. :. q. \. hopes to make a
distinction between general writings on
golf and detailed explanation OF how 10
play the game. but 1t VIII he Il distinction
tina; is likely to prove most difficult C
make.
Charles -. Macdonald. Arthur @ Lock
wood. A. w. Tilllnghast aud other anna
teur golfers have achieved prominence "a
. course architects, and IL may be that their
/ activities IN that direction will be cur
tailed Ouimet works for sporting goods
esta bli shmcnt and IL known to us" balls
and clubs manufactured by his employers
Perhaps he will he put under the ban 4
the acts described In the fourth fact sub
nitted 10y Mr. Watson become taboo
under II revised dention OF nm amateur
Harold n. Hilton, the British amateu'
CHAMPION. edits q golt paper and write,
for newspapers Bernard Darwin. who
twice has reached the last eight for tn,
British amateur championship, IL wei
krown newspaper writer on gutlng topics
and the veteran Horace Hutchinson ais,
writes of gof. Harry y. colt, anothc,
amateur, VINO, ike Darwin, has rcachoc
the last eight twice. is u noted cours'
architect and Is at present In Canadg
working on "A new course other prom
n.nt British golfers are allowed 10 do tht
things mentioned IN Mr., Wutson's letter.
II It does nothing else the letter II sur'
70 create lively discussion among golf
ers on both tidcs of the Atlantic.
ChicaGoans See Yacht Go Over.
The 81 rater Valiant, built NJ Wood
ward at GUY Island for II syndicate %
Chicago yachtsnen headed by i, \. Price
was launched yesterday afternoon. Tn
yacht has been designed by william
Gardner and ~ TO rnce against u -
rater built from designs by George Over
FOR an International trophy The owoi