New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-20
QUINTET KNEW
HE WAS OVER
THE RUBICON
Became Professional with
Eyes Open-Ardsley's
First Big Tourney.
By FRED HAWTHORNE.

II seems as if Francis Ouimet would
have 10 confne himself % solo golf"
II he Is going TO play at all this sum
mer. The young man who was barred
from amateur competition in the fu-
ture by the l. 6. g. A will be. accord
my 10 President Woodward, prevented
from competing with even the mem
bers Of his club, the idea being, appar-
emily. that anybody who plays a round
with the former open champion will be
contaminated with the faint Of prOfes-
siOnallsIn.
Ouimet has declared in no uncertain
terms that he will never play the game
as q professional. and as he cannot
play as an amateur, what is he 20 do eX
cept play around by his lonesome? The
Young Woodlands golfer is such a gen
tlemaniy individual, such q thorough
sportsman in every sense OF the word
and so generally liked by all who have
come into contact with him, that SYM
pathy IN his case is widespread.
But. in the words of the visiting
Englishman trying 20 acquire the
American lingo: Let US get down 20
trawss tacks. rs we Americans say"
Ouimet went into this thing with his
eyes wide open. 10 matter what the
popular opinion may be among the
great majority OF amateur golfers in
this country regarding the amateur rul-
ing, Oumet had been told just what
would happen if he went into the
sporting goods busness-and he went
ahead.
President Woodward, we believe. is
10 be commended for his firm and fair
stand IN the whole matter. lie quoted
the law. he pointed out the conse-
ouences OF violation Of that law, and
when the test came. he enforced u
without quibbling or evasion.
But the case Of Ouimet was a sim
PIE one, for the issue was clearly
defined. There are certain other anna
teurs under a cloud, but their cases
are different and there is opportunity
for considerable evasion when II comes
10 2 question OF pinning them down
with the professional tag.
John {. Anderson is not among these.
When the rule was first framed An
derson got into communication with the
I. s. G.. A. officials and then arranged
70 get a transfer 10 another depart
ment In the Wanamaker store. He is
now a buyer, liable 10 be sent any
where, TO buy anything, and not az
fileted with the golfing end OF the
business in particular
Some of the others are In danger Of
being involved IN the amateur profess
sional controversy, if the L. S. G. A.
continues 70 live up 10 its word, and
this may mean serious dissension be-
tween the parent body and several Of
the clubs that would be affected were
their players placed under the ban. We
would rather be on the outside look
ing in when the row begins.
The Metropolitan Coli Association
season will be officially opened on May
II, ~ and 10, when the Ardsley Club,
at Ardsley-on-Hudson, will hold an in
vitation tournament over the splendid
~ picturesque links on the brink Of the
river II will be the first NJ c. A
event held there since July, 1911. and il
marks the entry Of the Ardsley Club
into the first rank OF important tourna-
ment holders.
The opening day will be given over
entirely 20 the qualifying round, IS
holes, medal play, contestants being
allowed 10 start either in the morning
or afternoon, concession 10 the man
who likes 10 lie a-bed late Of a morn
ing and take his golf at his ease. The
following two days will be devoted 70
match play. In addition, there will be
an l8-hole handicap affair on Saturday,
May l8, open to all but the finalists.
Prizes? Lots OF 'em A gold medal
will be pinned 20 the breast Of the man
bringing in the lowest score in the
qualifying round, and then there viii
he prizes for the winners and runners
up of sc many siXteens as qualify, and
for each beaten eight, down 10 the
third sixteen
More good newsl In the handicap
affair prizes will be given for the best
and second best net scores, and an
other gold medal for the player with
the lowest gross score. In fact, IL looks
as though the golfers will have TO be
mighty careful 10 avoid winning some
thing.
Enters letter from Thomas W.
white, Commissioner Of Parks, Bor-
ough Of The Bronx, 10 the effect that
the public links al Van Cortlandt and
Pelham Bay parks will not be opened
for play until Monday, May /. The
/ Commissioner stated that il was the
original purpose TO start the season
next Saturday. but the wet period OF
the last few weeks put the damper on
/ that and II was decided 70 make the
/ later start.
Anybody who has watched some o.
the public links golfers gouge the turf
and commit mayhem on the inofensive
greens will be willing to wait the ex-
ira few days Like Jess Willard IN his
last battle. Van Cortlandt and Pelham
Bav parks are in condition 70 60 lin
tied round bout with the buffers, but
when IL comes 20 q finish affair. such
rs this will be. another week Of train
ing will not hurt.