Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-08
Proposed Eastern G. A.
Could Produce a
Medal Champion to
Contend With Others
Nv SANDY McNIBLICK

By SAND1 MCINlDLANh
S,,11r POSSIBILITY of the organization of
an Eastern Golf Association for mascu-
rDe players now lifts it's head above a sea
=, discussion and suggestions that is being
r,rpled more than ever this year by golf
ers
rbere is already in existence an Eastern
cole Association for women, and the OPP
-norttinity for q corresponding band among
non has been stirred up by the tournament
a. the Essex County Country Club which
the fair golfers wound UP yesterday
The idea of an Eastern association has
been received with much favor by local
goifers. The Western Golf Association has
attained tremendous strength. Both its
amateur and open Journeys present almost
the proportions of a national event, and the
sntrv lists each year present solid front
of nearly all the very highest class golfers
10 which the great section can boast.
Ten or q dozen of the best Eastern pros
mako the long trip to enter the open event.
The W. G.. A. has membership OF about
$50 and the championship this year viii
he the 18th in the history of It's organiza-
zion. II is a wonderful power for building
up Western golf.
Nothing Like 1t Here
There is really nothing on this side of
ohio TO correspond to II. The nearest in
Importance is the Metropolitan Golf Asso-
ciation, which has membership In the
neirhborhood of rs clubs and draws an
entry list for its amateur and open tour
news each year that compares favorably
with that of the Westerners. In fact its
handicap list contains the names or most
of the recognized Eastern cracks, The
Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania Golf As
sociations have about as large n member
ship as the Metropolitan, and both have
players of nationally recognized ability.
But there is little in common between these
organizations except in the play for the
Lesley Cup, when teams from the three
States compete.
The events of the individual associations
are only open to members, as n rule, and
golfers in this section feel that 1t would be
q great thing to let down the barriers, form
one large organization to take the place
of the three State bodies and have splen-
did union that could occupy parallel posi-
ton to the w. G.. a.
The large body would do away with the
city associations. but could If desired,
open up the city championships to members
of the proposed Il. c. A., thus making
the pace n bit swifter and the title SO
much the more to be desired.
There would be of course n champion
ship of the u. c. A., and this would insure
u great golf carnival to the East every
year.
1t would make fine rehearsal for the
national events.
There are scores of local golfers who
believe that one reason Philadelphia does
not come through with that long-prayed-for
champion is because localities do not have
the chance to play with the awe-insplring
golf mastodons whose names are by-word
wherever golf is spoken.
Paralysis Creeps In
Paralysis seems to creep in when local
players are stacked up against such giants.
Several local players there are who shine
intermlttently over the home pastures, but
when they would do battle in foreign
.e!imes against Held of famous names they
Just aren't in 1t.
New York. Boston, Philadelphia and
Jersey are all so close together and so
overhowng with golf talent that 1t is felt
not only that parent organization would
be good thing but also that it is essen
tlal IF such corporation were formed 1t
would surely boom golf in this part of
the land.
The United States Golf Association
would have a vastly easier time in handling
the national situation If it had two main
bodies to deal with instead of large one
and a flock of near-powerful ones.
There has always been more or less ef-
Tort TO work up some degree of sectional en-
thuslasm' and this is particularly marked
III the national jousts when the sectional
cracks are 'sicked on" each other "for the
TWO fullgrown associations such an inter
sectional clash would be inevitable and
there would be some golf such as no other
event at present brings out
There wouldn't be any point in matching
up the champions Of the two organizations,
ior the winner would be the logical cham
ploh or the United States This chair how.
ever might already be filled by one who
hau won 1t in free-for-all battle. He would
naturally object to being ousted, because he
would nave more just claim to the title
Why Not Two National Champs?
/. But there would be a fine chance for in.
,,ersectlonal team play, Individual and four.
pan play Tor points and the championship
~ mas also been suggested that, inasmuch
as as there Is so much pickering over the rela
1--WE merit of the medal and match PLAYER
anu H, thelr respective claims to the champion
snip that there ought to be two ehampions
:. one would be the champion medalist and
me me Other the champion match player. II
.iese .hese TWO get growing at each other, let
.neIn hght 1t out for the supreme throne,
say friends of the scheme.
AZ is proposed that the medal chamnIon ba
setled IN the sectional associations. the
respective champions of each playing 72
notes Tor the grand high, supreme and onlv
course. VH heu'rai
Meantime over Boston way teams of