The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-08
BY JOHN e..

1t is not wholly correct to say that
there has been q revival Of the big pro-
fessional matches In this country, for
although away hack in the late '9Os
there were many contests where the pro-
fessionals were featured the motives
for the matches were fur different from
those OF the present day. 1t Is a thor.
oughly healthy sign that We are having
these struggles between the best known
paid golfers. and especially when We dis
cover that they are often playing for
more than "a few dollars of their own.
That makes the game well worth while
watching. for II Is human nature to try
harder not to lose ones own money
than to play for a purse. Every exhlbi-
ton match should he the best efforts Of
the professionals. for oftenumes there
is much betting not known to them, and
the people depend upon getting the play
ers' best known form.
The forming OF combinations such as
Gilbert Nichols and Alex. Smith have
made is a fine idea. II makes other
combinations spring up and more
matches. Tho golfers who can with
Saud "A pair like the ores just mem
toned must be very good and have a
confidence each In the others game. I
notice that Hagen is being pirtnered b.
both Tom McNamara and Michael Brady
ami no doubt these players are trying
To hno out whether they play their best
game most consistently when matched
up thus. 7 doubt not that when the
southern season comes round there will
10 many pairs who will challenge and re-
challenge eacl, other and mako rare
sport for the lucky individuals vino will
see them play.
1t Is "A rare occurrence where 2 couple
cf professionals In a four ball match
Will accept or DO expected TO get any
odds In an eighteen hole round. ard yet
the wise players know that In the long
run the pair which has the strongest
couple will outlaSt all cliancc of exccp.
tlonal ounds by tho opponents and win
the majority OF the matches. This WAS
proved last year when tho Hagcn-Mc-
NamagTi combination won match after
match in their contests Ia the South. for
each was at the top OF his game. or
near II, and they proved just a hole or
two stronger even on courses which
were new. II was class which told. So
now 4, behooves all the good players To-
team up and with the strongest partners
they can find III anticipation OF "A busy
season.
I have wondered oftentimes why II IL
that We do not adopt the system In vogue
across the water and have a few pro-
fessional matches where there is a small
fee. say "A quarter or a half dollar
charged those who are not members ~
the club. There has never been the
slightest objection to this scheme abroad.
so far as 7 know. and I feel sure that
II would stimulate golf among all classes
and arouse "A greater degree of interest
In the sport, There IL no doubt that
the number of professional matches
would be trebled. and with a fine match
somewhere to watch Oh some day every
week the golfers would enjoy their play
all the more. II may be doubted. hut
l believe that there are mighty few
golfers who do not like to see IA good
match played either by good amateurs
or by professionals. especially II there
are in the group some well known golf
ers. The best method Of handling tho
play is TO have u certain amount for
the winners. which sum would not eX-
coed SIS. and s25 TO be divided amons
che losers. This sum could be raised
IL a half dollar admission were charged.
for II is quite sure that II "A champion
or a near champion were OH hand and
matched up with the local professional
lie would draw a couple OF hundred
people.
II may rot be known. but in the last
few professional matches which have
been held around the Metropolitan dis
trict somewhat after this manner
there have been hundreds OF spec
tators, and in the amateur-professional