New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-21
GOLFERS MUST
HEW CLOSE TO
AMATEUR LINE
Executive Committee OF
National Body Settles
Moot Question.
NO MORE HIDING
UNDER FALSE CLOAN
Provision Made to Bring CUES.
ton of Violations to Front
Without So Much Red Tape.

Inc Inlted states Ooll hsooCibNioh,
through it's secretary. Howard F. Whit
ney, announced yesterday new rulings
anent the definition OF an amateur
golfer and the method by which he may
be determined.
There mas Been much ado within the
last year on those things a golfer may
do and still be an amateur. The dis
cussion has been countrywide, and has
been dealt with also in the columns OF
British golfng papers.
The preamble leading up 70 the main
question is lengthy and fraught with
details, but il is enough 10 say that
the national governing body has at
last settled. at least for the present,
one of the momentous problems IN the
history Of the game in this country.
The association has not changed the
definition OF an amateur, but powers
have been given 20 the executive COM
mittee which will permit OF the inves-
tigation Of any question. no matter
how it is brought about. regarding the
status Of any man posing as an ANA
teur.
There is simplifcation in the word
ing OF Section Of the bylaws and an
Identification, as it were
- OF the rule, the new one being as
follows:
Defining an Amateur.
Section An amateur golfer is one
who has not accepted, directly or in
directly, any fee, gratuity. money or
its equivalent as consideration for
the performance OF any act or service
arising in connection with the game OF
golf, and who is not or has not been
professional in any other branch OF
athletics. Provided. however. that the
above shall not apply in writing. edit
ing or publishing articles. magazines
or books on golf, or 10 laying out. con-
/ structing. supervising or giving advice
concerning the layout. construction or
/ upke.p of golf course or any part
| the- of.
"Any person who becomes ineligible
/ by reason OF this bylaw may be rein
stated by giving TO the executive COM
/ mittee OF this association satisfactory
/ evidence OF meriting such reinstate-
ment.
"No occurrence prior 70 January s,
1915, shall affect the status of any per-
son who was in good standing as an
amateur golfer on said date"
As il to leave no room for doubt, the
executive committee has compiled five
distinct violations of the foregoing
rule, as follows:
81. Playing or teaching the game OF
golf for pay. This includes accepting
travelling or living expenses for play
ing over a course or for participating
in golf tournament, contest or exhi-
bition.
"2. Personally making or repairing
ooIf cluhs golf balls or other golf arti-
cles for pay.
"3. Serving after reaching the age
Of sixteen as a csddie, caddle master or
greenskeeper for hire.
~. Lending ones name or likeness
for the advertisement or sale of any
thing, except as a dealer, manufacturer
or inventor thereof in the usual course
OF business.
as. Permitting ones name 10 be ad-
vertised or published for pay As the
author of books or articles on golf OF
which one is not actually the au.hor.
Cutting Out Red Tape.
! Instead of the great amount or red
! tape necessary to bring the attention
of the powers that be to alleged VIOLA
lions OF the amateur rule, the amend
ment to Section 8 of the bylaws gives
the executive committee almost un-
/ limited scope in the investigation or
, these alleged violations, no matter how
presented. IL at all Herein lie the
crux Of the situation, and the new rule
is as follows:
Section S-The executive committee
shall take cognizance of every appar-
ent violation of Section that may
| come to its attention in any manner
whatsoever; it shall exercise absolute
/ discretion in the Interpretation and
enforcement OF the bylaws for the pur-
pose Of safeguarding the best interests
of the game of golf and shall have
power to infict such penalties as the
circumstances Of each case may IN It's
judgment justify"
As il 10 remind the golfers that the
executive committee is not responsible
/ for all creation. the following note APP
I pears at the end Of the new rule:
"The executive committee earnestly
recommends that clubs in the associa-
ton deal directly with cases OF alleged
violations Of Section 7 among their own
members. Should this attempt TO cor
rect abuses prove ineffective the names
of the offenders. with full particulars
relating TO each case, should at once
be submitted TO the executive commit
tee for further action"
Why Action Was Taken.
Coincident with the announcement Of
the foregoing important rulings, the
executive committee issued lengthy
statement explaining the why's and
wherefores of the action.
The committee admits greater re-
sponsbility as the result OF the new
rulings, and expresses the opinion that
the vast majority OF golfers are in
sympathy with the movement. The
sole purpose of the committee, it is
explained, is ito safeguard the inter
ests of golf, 10 preserve it as It al
Continued on page 3. column s