The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-17
PRESIDENT WOODWARD HITS AT
Observation-Disclosures SKILL
Head of U. s. G. A. Advises Golfers That Accepting
Positions in Sporting Goods Houses Is
Dangerous Practice.

That the amateur golfer who accepts
treading on dangerous ground is stated
u~nequivocally by Frank l.. Woodward.
president Of the United States Golf As
ISOLATION, in n letter sent to THE Sun In
reply to q request for his views on the
subject. This request was made after
THE SuN had printed n story received
from Boston saying that the executive
committee of the u. 3. q. A. had tabled
a protest against golfers who had &C.
cepted positions in sporting goods
houses--a protest tina had been sent to
| the u. 8. O.. A. by @. Herbert Windeler
and other prominent Massachusetts gol-
fers.
The Boston story said that the lack
OF definite action by the U. s. q. A. Of
| icials had created the belief In Massa-
chusetts that the matter had been set
tied and that the practice complained
OF would be allowed to continue without
objection: but Mr.. Woodward's letter
shows that no such policy has been
adopted. He says that III matter by
no means has been settled and that II
probably will be discussed at the annual
meeting Of the United States Golf AS
eOciattOn next January.
This letter from President Woodward
will he welcomed by all golfers who are
interested in stamping out what its
writer calls the course" Of profession
alism. The letter follows;
To II EDITOR OF THE suN-str:
Your telegram addressed to mo at
Denver has Just reached me. being
forwarded by mail. l am very glad
to respond to your request to state
the position Of the executive conf
mittee OF the United States Golf
Association regarding acceptance by
amateur golfers Of positions with
sporting goods houses for the rea-
son that In our opinion It Is Of the
greatest Importance at the present
time owing to an apparent n at
the anne time unfortunate ten
dency among sporting goods houses
TO seek employees from among
players who have achieved some
prominence Il the game.
The mere fact Of employment
under such circumstances does not
constitute a violation OF the amateur
rule unless the player personally
makes or repairs golf implements
When. however, the position is Of
fered by the employer because the in
dividual Is a golfer. or when the sal
AIRY paid IL greater than II would be
| II the lnulNluudl WtTF IOt u SOiicTs
or II in connection with the position
privileges such as leaves Of absence
to play or compete in tournaments.
time OF for practice at the game and
other concessions OF similar character
are extended by the employer. II Is
the opinion OF the executive commit
tee tina there is a violation Of the
bylaws of the association for the rea-
son that IL n n Of these facts
.-s- L. l.. 49,
or less extent there Is an attempt to
capitalize proficiency or prominence
in the game.
Under the amateur rule of the y.
s. @. A. there are two things. and
only two. that n golfer may do In
connection with the game and re-
ceive money therefor. He may write
about the game or he may act as n
golf architect. Everything else il
barred. II Is not Intended that a
golfer shall be barred from earning
his living, but It must he clearly es-
tablished that his connection with the
game OF golf has nothing TO do with
his getting or holding the position,
with the conditions OF his employment
Or the amount of salary received.
1t is true that there has been cor
respondenoe between the executive
committee and q. Herbert Windeler on
this subject. Similar correspondence
has been had also with many other
gentlemen in various parts Of the
country. 1t Is he intention OF the
present executive committee as well
as that OF every Ms minded golfer
In the country II possible to stamp
out the curse of professionalism
among amateurs In this game. There
is not the slightest imaginable stigma
connected with being "A professional
49, ~ 100 vNapN Iaa nan