The Washington herald., 1916-11-18
Seen and Heard by George Miner.


New York, Nov. I7.-The late fall has been
boon to golfers all over the United States and
never before in October have there been so many
people the links as this year. That golf is in
creasing rapidly and steadily in popularity in this
country there can be no question. The courses
being laid out and the full club memberships
testify concusively to that fact
We are now the leading golf f-playing country
of the world England, which set the pace in the
game and made it fashionable, has now fallen into
the background.
This is another condition for which the war is
responsible. For two years the war has been
gradually eliminating golf from the English life.
1t was formerly as much part of existence over
there afternoon tea Now however, with >prac-
cally all the players at the front or preparing for
the grim business of warfare clubs converted into
hospitals and links into recreation grounds for con-
valescent "Tommies," for drill grounds for the
Nnew armies the national game has been backed off
the map.
Naturally most of the men who were golf en-
thusiasts barring the old ones were just the sort
of men who would go to the front. So the de-
serted links simply proof of English patriot
ism.
The final blow fell last week when Coli Illu-
strated," the journal which for many years has
been the organ of the game in the British Isles.
was forced to suspend publication.
The suspension of the paper comes as sur
prise to those who have watched the trend Of
events and that for weeks the publishers have
been obliged to reprint illustrations and to devote
the greater part of the reading matter to news of
the game emanating from this country The last
issue of the paper is almost entirely an American
one. Among other things it contains very hand
some tribute to the well-known player, Mr. Charles
Evans jr
"Chick Evans" says the writer, may be pleased
to know that his feat in winning the two major
championships held in connection with American
golf has been received with what might term
almost enthusiasm this side, as he has many
friends and admirers in this country and never
met British golfer who had anything but good
word for him. We have the very greatest apprecia-
ton of his ability as a player and almost an affec-
tonate regard for him personally.
when he came here some five years ago his
boyish and enthusiastic demeanor made direct
appeal to the golfer of these lands. His popularity
commenced when he made his first appearance on
British golf links and the popularity then attain
ed has never for moment waned. There has
always been but opinion among the critics on
this side and that is to the effect that Charles
Evans jr, is the most complete exponent of the
game of golf that America has ever turned out.
"That he has not previously won a big cham
pionshp is mystery to us which cannot be ex-
planned by method Of reasoning which suggests
that temperament is at the root of all the evil.
Chick himself has always combated that theory,
but all other golfers have ever met disagree with
him and believe that to certain mental excitement
is due his previous failures. 1t precluded him from
doing his great ability as player full justice That
he was lacking in moral courage no one for a
moment suggested"
The list of well-known English golfers who
have given their lives for their country is ap-
pallingly long Many more have come back
MANNED from the great struggle. No wonder there
is note of sadness whenever golf is discussed
over there.
But there is nothing sad about it over here and
undoubtedly the widespread popularity of the game
has done great deal of good to the general well
fare and health of the nation. Just the movies
have served to keep children and young people off
the streets and so been bene6cent influence, so
has golf kept thousands of men out of barrooms
and clubs on Sundays and Saturday afternoons and
sent them to the open
Golf has now outgrown the handicap it had as
being purely class sport 1t is no longer consider
ed simply fashionable to play golf; it is consider
ed good common sense to play it.