The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-03
Scotch Game Was First Played
in This Country in 1883.
Educator Finds References Il
Game in Holy Scriptures.
Vast Fortunes Now Invested in
Clubs and Grounds.

Twenty years ago today the first
American championship golf match
was played. The game was then con-
sidered society fad and was played
In a regal setting at Newport r. I. OF
the twenty contestants w. G.. Law
renee of Newport, was declared the
winner and the first American anna
teur champion. Golf in the United
States is said to date from the estab-
lishment of the st. Andrews Golf club
at Yonkers. N. T., in 1888. South Car
olinians. however, claim that it was
played In their state q century before,
and point to the files Of the Charleston
City Gazette. where an item under
date of Sept. IS, 1888, states: 80
there is lately erected that pleasing
and genteel amusement, the golf
baan." Golf was played in Scotland,
said by many to be its place of birth,
generations before Columbus made
known that there was an America.
One prominent American educator has
said that he read an account of a golf
game written by the ancient Aristotle,
and had found reference to the sport
in the Bible. 1t is also claimed that
Holland was it's place of origin. In the
earliest records of Scottish history, lit
erature and even legislation, golf oc-
cupies a prominent place. Over four
centuries ago the sport had SO over
whelmed archery, the soldiers train
| lu8s lI0l Tie SCOtllSkl legislature OC-
| creed that the fut ball and golf be
utterly cryit doun and nocht usit.'
Forbidden to the masses, it remained
a royal pastime. King James II play
ed q game with an Edinburgh shoe
| maker; Queen Mary was found play
ing on the links two days after the
death of her royal consort. Darnley.
The news Of the Great Irish Rebellion
came to King Charles while he was
lifting the ball over the links at Leith.
fad in the United States, has become q
pastime at which a vast fortune, esti-
mated as high as $4,000, 900, is spent
every year in the United States. There
are said to be more than 200, 900 ac-
I tive players who are driving the gutta-
percha balls over links whose COM
bined acreage in the United States Is
| nearly twice as large as the District of
Columbia. Some of the American club
houses are veritable mansions: one
| in the middle west has cost to date
over $4,000 for the golfing course.
the club house and the equipment. The
exact amount of money reaped annual
! ly by the American caddies is not de-
finitely known, but 1t probably equals
the amount paid in Great Britain.
which is estimated at $12.500.OO0. 9th
er items that go 10 make up the an
nual tribute to golf rare clubs and
balls. The value oftthe clubs in use
| is estimated at nearly s., 100000, while
the pals are Value0 at over $0,UUO,VUV.
Golf has spread throughout the world.
In Europe there is scarcely a country
without it's golf links and players.
Japan has one of the finest courses
in the world. Mexico is rapidly be-
coming known for its links While all
classes have taken to the sport with
enthusiasm, kings and queens, not
to mention the lesser lights of royalty
and the nobility, are ardent devotees.
King Alfonso has his private links in
Spain and has taught his English-born
queen to play the game. The German
emperor. prohibited by physical all
nevertheless is an enthusiast and fire.
quently follows his son. the crown
prince, about the links at Potsdam.
President Wilson, and his predecessor.
Mr.. Taft, are devoted to the game.