New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-23
GUEST PROBLEM
CAUSES WORRY
FOR GOLF CLUBS
Sentiment Grows to Deny
Use of Courses to Bodies
Without Own Links.
NOT EXPRESSION
OF INHOSPITALITY
Damage to Turf, Tees and
Greens Chief Reason for
Change of Attitude.

problem in golf that has made it,
self apparent OF late, possibly more in
the West than hereabouts, is the ques-
lion of what is to be done with or
PLANTATIONS without courses Of their
own. Each new season finds among the
clubs a deepening disposition to deny
the use of their courses for the tourna-
ments of golfng bodies representing
the various professions, trades and in
GGstries.
This sentiment against making
guests of entire organizations for one,
two or three days is not an expression
of inhOspitality, but is, on the other
hand, an expression of increasing eff
cheney in the management of clubs and
their courses. For the good of the
game" is not a slogan of telling appeal
with the officials to whom the club
members look for general upkeep, in
GLIDING the condition of the links, and
for such ground regulations as make
for the greatest comfort of the largest
number of players.
Every member of a club whose course
is selected for one of the classic tour
raments of the year feels personally
complimented, and it is only natural
that such should be the case. There
is never protest lodged over the sums
expended for the entertainment Of en-
trants in events which have national
significance and Importance.
In fact, the selections are desirable
and often solicited, and there is no
club in the United States that would
not feel favored to have its course
chosen as the field for the national
amateur, the national open or even one
OF the sectional tournaments, such as
those run under the auspices of the
Metropolitan Golf Association or the
Western Golf Association. The pride
Of members in their course is the real
basis Of the marvellous growth of golf
in the states.
Three Chicago clubs which have for
some years cheerfully turned their
links over TO the trade organizations of
golfers have of late refused to serve as
hosts for the annual tournaments. The
chief reason given for the change of
attitude is that the visiting organiza-
ton. largely made up Of men who play
infrequently, does more damage to the
turf. the tees and the greens in one
day than the members do in a season.
About two years ago prominent
club entertained a body of golfers for
one-day tournament and found the
course so cut and torn when the Wis
itors finished that play by the members
was suspended for two days, while an
extra force Of laborers was put to
work on repairs.
The chairman of the green commit
tee, when called upon to o. K. bill
for nearly 81 900 for the repair work
necessary, talked the matter over with
the officials of the club, with the result
that the course has since been closed
TO the "occasionals."
While this is doubtless the exception
rather than the rule, it may be said
that a player ignorant of the rules and
etiquette of the game and lacking the
commonwealth sense of ownership
which is the mark of so many club
members, is not likely to show much
regard TO. the course upon which he is
one of fifty or hundred or more asso-
ciated guests.
Again, the bulk of the membership of
some Of these once-a-year bodies are
made up of men who, belonging to
clubs with courses of their own, are
seasoned and appreciative golfers. The
American Golf Association Advertising
Interests will permit in its tourna-
ments no man who is not member OF
a golf club having its own course.
The real sentiment back Of the re-
action against entertaining special
bands and associations of golfers IS
the feeling of club members that what
they pay for is a course of their own
and that they are not getting what the{
pay for wheE their course Is turned
over 10 outsiders to mutilate.
Until recent years comparatively
few players used their home links from
Sunday to he following Saturday, and
there was really no interference with
the comfort of members when a band
of visiting golfers was entertained
But at present more and more time is
spent every day in the week on the
links. From mid-May till September
and especially during July and August,
thousands and thousands OF golfers
manage 10 get in some part OF round
if it happens TO be only nine holes after
Office hours.
And this is the class that is back
of the new anti-guest ruling adopted
by a good many clubs. Stealing from
business or home the time necessary
for "A trip 20 the links, and a round
of golf, and 10 find on his arrival, a
visiting organization has a tourna-
ment on, with a lien on both course
and caddies. is enough e make a regu-
lar man hot under the collar.
More than one group OF men who
planned 10 have their vacation when
they might devote it TO daily contests
of thirty-six holes, and upon arriving
at the links found that a visiting body
had a three days tournament that
week. so that in order 10 get any golf
AZ all they of necessity had to divide
into groups Of four. sought and OBJ
tanned guest cards at clubs IN other
cities.
The sensible and logical suggestion
has been brought 20 the notice OF as
sociations and organizations without
links of their own, said suggestion
being that the Chamber OF Commerce
as a body finance a course for these
special tournaments, charging some
thing like $3.50 day per entrant. On
other than tournament days the course
could be used by unattached players
and by such members of golf clubs as
might find II convenient because OF To-
cation or congestion at their own clubs
or public links A charge OF 81 round
would mount into a revenue at least
sufficient for the upkeep Of the best
4 large number Of unattached play
ers who use the public links would
probably welcome something like TINS.
Besides this clientele, city champion
ships, 10 say nothing of number OF
sectional contests, could be held there.
There is no doubt but that substantial
encouragement would be obtained from