The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11

fare OF the BolIers
JOHN G. ANDERSON. and the game. To
those present 1t was quite evident that II
an occasion did arise, at present untore-
seen and unlocked for. IL would be
handled with the finest OF executive sklll
and a broadness OF vision, which TRAITS
seem at all times to be dominant IN MT
Woodward's personality.
The main topic OF discussion was the
question OF the amateur ruling, and IL
was dealt with in a pleasing. dispassion-
ate way which could not but bring ad-
mration from the golfers assembled. inc
ability shown by the retiring officers ana
the members OF the executive committee
in their mastery handling OF the situa-
ton merits the highest praise. PROBABLY
the most difficult thing which confronts
any committee when adverse criticism Or
a demand for change, he II radical or
not, Is made IL TO bring In report that
the present rulings on the matter are all
sufficient, that II anything the rule might
be made stll broader and less cumber-
some, that instead OF more defining all
that was needed was more conformity 10
the spirit of the rules. That In BRIEF IS
what the president IN Offering the report
OF the committee on the subject pronered'
and II was accepted with hardly dis
senting voice.
II seems that while the committee may
nave neaTu OF sb-Ediltu hlilhNthi7 WV
were using their ability as means 10 a
lucrative end they had no definite knowl-
edge OF the specific facts In single case.
Moreover their hands were tied, igura-
lively speaking, for in section or the
bylaws IL expressly states that all mat
ters dealing with the violation or the anna
teur code must be sent in 10 them in
writing by a member In good standing
belonging to a club in the L. ;. q. A.,
and that this report must be certified to
by the secretary OF the club, who must
also certify to the membership standing
OF the person making the charges THIS
red tape was sufficient to prevent all
action from any one who felt that he
knew Of some golfer not obeying the laws
laid down for the amateurs. Therefore
II was decided that this section Of the
bylaws should be stricken out. and then
the power vested In the executive COM
mittee would he all sufficient to bring TO
time and terms all those supposed to be
guilty OF wrong doing. II is Significant
TOO that while rumors and counter ru-
mors about certain golfep have been ny
ing all over the country not single case
OF wrong or violation has actually been
brought 10 the committees attention
which only goes TO prove what many
golfers have thought and said, that all
this fuss was sprung from the SMALLEST
seed and the shoots magnhed persstently
through a too constant use or telescope
glasses.
The real fault TO be found. II may sur
prise some TO hear Is with those clubs
which permit the members OF the tour
nament or sports committee to offer TO
amateurs inducements tending TO bring
about their presence az the clubs events.
An example OF this WIS furnished by
President woodward. who read letter
from a club which offered TO pay all en-
penses OF a certain amateur ana Two
others whom he might bring along IN
order 10 make the tournament stand out
in contrast with others In the vicinity.
This Is totally wrong, and yet the blame
cannot all be laid primarily with the
young golfers who accepted the invita-
tlon Those higher up must be hit and
the executive committee OF the assoclh-
ton In the future will not feel Itself bound
20 hold innocent any cllb or Individual
who In any way such as this violates the
spirit OF the amateur definition, This
does not hit at trips such as those which
were taken as body by several Western
golfers some time ago, for that was In
the nature of an educational adventure,
but II refers TO transforming on the part
OF clever players Influenced by unana-
teurish incentives.
The case of the course architect shovel
again the breadth OF view and the solidity
OF Thought Oh lnOef tOllN'lHtu ~ Ni'' hi'''
ment for the regulation Of the amateur
at atus of this golfer AS has been pre-
viously pointed out, there were several
reasons why n change should not be made,
the chief being that II would make a
distinct difference in the amateur rules
of this country and Great Britain and
that the men best fitted for this task
were amateurs in name as well as In
spirit All other so-caled violations are
covered by the present ruling on the mat
ter and with the elimination of section
the committee will he in position to
take whatever stand may be needed on
any point whatever and seek informa-
Itlon and receive Il unencumbered by any
bylaws.
The most radical departure which
might be made from the present inter-
probation of the rule as II now exists was
limited at by President Woodward dur
ing his speech on the amateur question.
1t was whether this country was at tho
period OF development where an amateur
golfer could be hired by a club In one of
several capacities and still maintain fis
amateur standing. This is none other
than the British way OF doing things.
The positions which are held by the hon
orable secretaries OF the well known
clubs abroad, wherein they have over
sight OF the course and in many ways
act In an duNlSOIS NdphtltN III tluDnOuSe
affairs as WELL some day will be created
here by tho big clubs in this country. and
It is to forestall any arguments which
might arise as to the validity of an entry
| for the amateur championship of some
golfer who might have one OF these Uosi-
lions. In Great Britain some of the fore.
most golfers OF the day have been secre.
tarics of clubs and what might he termed
advisory green keepers and II has never
been considered as n violation OF the am
| ateur spirit or rule II Is a question
Whistler such a ruling will be made this
year. but the very fact that II was men,
toned shows that II has been taken into
account by tho members Of the executive
body. In tho last analysis In this par.
ticular case the committee thinks that II
should be left to the clubs themselves
| and that their report to the GOVERNING
branch should be all that IL necessary In
the question of whether the man EN-,
ployed was n professional or an amateur
| Tho speaking to this rule found all the
previous members OF executive bodies In