The Washington herald., 1915-04-25

Americans are much troubled with
their definition. and II seems to be
the definition that is difficult, for
| there doubtless is not a real golfer
in the world, to be amate& or pro-
fessional, who does not know what
constitutes the difference between the
two classes of players. and the diff
ference. 1 rejoice to say. Is not a
snobbish one in any sense.
THE spirit of amateur golf is the
enjoyment Of it unalloyed by any hope
Of pecuniary reward. and this spirit
very young players. whose ideals have
not yet been confused by any far
adventures in high finance.
We know that the professional
golfer has an honest and a thorough
ly respectable way Of earning his liv-
ing. and we hope that the amateur
has an equally honest and respectable
way of earning his; the difference be-
tween them lying in the fact that the
amateur does not earn his living by
his game, but happens to have some
other business. trade. profession or in
herited means Of livelihood.
Judging from some of the comment
I have heard upon the subject. there
are a number of misguided people in
America who believe that the sepa-
ration of these classes of players is
a social one, an idea that is wholly
abhorrent to the spirit of the demo-
cratic Scottish game.
AT Sandwich last spring one of the
entrants was a railway porter who
played a very good game, and another
fine British player was the son Of
plumber. both amateurs In good stand
ing. and 1t seemed that the REitish
attitude toward amateur golferSwho
happened to be workingmen was more
democratic and self-respecting than
ours.
THE chief reason I take 1t for the
division between the two classes OF
golfers arises primarily from tho fact
Of the greater degree of skill. inner
emit to his business. possessed by the
professional, skill that simply
'snows under" the majority of anna
teur players in any open event. and
would, If permitted. destroy all the
pleasure and craftsmanship In the
game.
The agitation over the mateur
status did not arise, however, from
any attempted influx of professionals
to amateur tournaments. or any
and pecuniary rewards Of profession
ais. but a vague suspicion had gone
abroad and finally shaped itself into
the decided accusation that certain
players, members of clubs belonging
to the u. S. G. A., have been and are
utilizing their golfng ability in various
phases for cash remuneration"
when the U. S. G.. A. held its an
nual meeting in January tho rule de-
fining a golf amateur was enlarged
sufficiently to clear two classes of
suspects. golf architects and golf
writer's. and the executive committee
has followed this action with an in
terpreta ton Of the rule
''On the whole, these rulings are
likely to be satisfactory to golfers
am sure that every prominent golfer
will rejoice to know that he will not
be permitted to lend his name or
likeness for the advertisement or sale
of anything.
The ruling that no amateur may
accept travelling or living expenses
Tor participating in a golf tour
nament may have tendency to
weaken the none too strong national
character of our amateur champion
ship. This year the National. strange
to say. is going westward Is 1t fair,
game. to make the amateur champion
sacrifice so much Of time and money
Tor the good of the game?
"A great deal of nonsense has been
talked about the money that the anna
teur may make without violating the
letter of the rules. Success in golf. as
In everything else. brings publicity,
and publicity means advertisement.
and advertisement means increased
business and better salary for the
young golfer.
writing of golf pays fairly we'll.
but 1t is surely earned for writing is
hard work. There are not six golfers
IN the United States who could DOS
sibly be worth anything to a hotel
keeper. and not four of those could
leave their business long enough to
make it worth while.
manufacturers and inventors do
make a practice OF sending their clubs
anu inventions to leading amateurs
10 Try out. and they are. as ruIe
siad to do so. for every golfer is
looking Tor the perfect club or ball
he Is not paid to do this. for he does
II gladly and freely il he Is suited
is not. "'
No true golfer is mercenarv for
his is the spirit of the game that
seeks perfection. and his greatest iov
Is IN the Improvement of his game
DIR. NJ. Dorset. winner of the Bannock-
hurn putting cup. is back in the game
aher good winter Of rest and Is play