New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-25
AMATEUR RULE
PROMISES WAR
IN GOLF WORLD
Woodland Club to Fight
to Restore Three Mem
berS Under Ban
BY GRANTLAND RICE

The Woodland Golf Club. Of Boston,
the native heather OF Francis Ouimet.
Jack Sullivan and Paul Tewkesbury,
announces that it will bring the case
of these three golfers before the
United States Golf Association at the
next annual meeting.
Ouimet Sullivan and rewkesbury
we're all dropped by the L. S. G. A.
from the amateur plateau last spring
for indulging themselves in the pro-
pensity to sell golf supplies, along
with other sporting articles, the resuls
being that ouimet was forced out OF
competitive play through the recent
season.
In making its fght for these Tires
men the Woodland Club, OF course, will
not get very far unless the rule itself
is changed.
After the golf association had passed
the ruling there was nothing for the
governing committee 20 do except 20
enforce the rule. no matter what emf
nent heads were struck of in the oper-
alton.
SO far as the rule itself 10 concerned
this part OF il will more than likely
bring on one OF the merriest little wars
that American golf has ever known.
without any question the great body Of
golfers throughout the country are op
posed TO the rule. They are out for
the regulations that govern amateur
golf in England and Scotland. where no
such strict line is drawn in the belief
that IL IL impossible TO handle every
detail that may bring in revenue for
the golfer, either IN direct or indirecs
way.
Oppose New Rule.
These may be largely governed by tho
fact that they do not believe that Fran
els Ouimet il any professional, know
ing the clean sportsmanship OF this
player and the many opportunities he
has turned down TO capitalize his golf
ing skill and fame. Whatever the rea-
son, nine golfers out of ten are for
the old order. Among those from the
metropolitan district alone who arc
against the rule as It stands to-day
the rule that forbids any amateur 20
have any part in the sale OF golf
supplies might be mentioned the fol-
lowing Reggie Lewis, Hamilton Kerr,
Henry J. Topping, John q. Anderson.
Gardner White, Frank Hoyt. and
host OF lesser lights. These and
countless others believe the 1918 rule
should be repealed. and that 0uimet
should be returned as an amateur 20
take up one OF the most brilliant ca
reers in the history Of American play.
Before he was barred last season
Ouimet. in three campaigns -l9l3, 1914
and i9i5-had won the open and the
amateur championships, with various
smaller titles and tournaments.
As the rule was made, the golf COM
mittee was forced to drop each man az
fected. But it is the rule itself that
has come under FIRE, now that its work
ing application has been seen. There
are too many who escape after more
serious offences, and besides the Lawn
Tennis Association has not found it
inimical to clean sport TO retain tha
amateur standing OF such players as
Mclaughlin, Johnston, Bundy and oth-
ers who are engaged in the sale Of ten
mis- supplies.
Want Law Repealed.
The point is this: At least so pee
cent Of the golfers want the rule re-
pealed; az least so per cent Of thoss
now on the governing committee want
the rule upheld and retained.
In the bastle 20 come this winter it
is still a question as TO which side
will win where the repeal Of the rule
can only come from the majority tax
ing a decided stand along the lines OK
their belief. Unless they do this, there
will be no change. But II they do, IL
is not likely that the Golf Committee
or the United States Golf Association
will attempt to overrule the wishes
and beliefs of at least 80 per cent Of
its active players.