El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-03-03
GOLF PLAYERS
ARE RESTRICTED
Writing and Laying Out of
Golf Courses Only Occupa-
lions Open to Amateurs.

Denver, colo. March 3.-OnIy two
classes Of occupations connected with
golf in which they may receive nav
and still retain standing as amateurs
are open to golfers, according to a for
| NAL statement issued by Frank l.
| Woodward. president Of the United
! States Golf association. One is liter
airy work. said Mr.. Woodward. and the
| other golf architectUre-'laying ont.
~remodeling or constructing golf
! courses"
Defining the distinction between am
ateur and professional golfers, Mr..
Woodward says;
Notwithstanding the wide publicity
that has been given to the subject OF
amateur standing during the last year.
and the more recent general discussion
following the meetings of the inter
collegiate association in New York and
the United States Golf association i'm
Chicago, it is claimed that there exicts
q lack Of understanding I'm many quar-
ters as to the practical meaning of the
rules adopted.
Must Write Own stuff.
There are two, and only two, classes
Of occupations that golfers are permit
ted to gag in for pay and still re-
tain their amateur standing. One =
literary work. The only restriction
placed upon this form of activity is
that a players name may not be at
tached to an article of which he is not
in fact the author. The other line OF
effort for which any amateur golfer
may receive pay is work in the direc-
ton of what is known as golf archi-
tecture-the laying out, remOdeling or
construction Of golf courses.
THE mention Of these two classes Of
cases as thu only forms OF activity
for which golfers may accept remuner-
alton ought in itself TO suffice, for by
the simple process Of exclusion every
other imaginable source of income or
financial benefit connected in any way
with the game Of golf is distinctly
barred to amateurs.
Owners Are Amateurs.
a somewhat different view is taken
Of the case of the owners or prOprie-
tors Of sporting goods establishments
The mere fact OF ownership OF such
a business does not constitute a viola
tiOn Of the rule. IL, however, 1t ap-
pears that any attempt is being made
to capitalize skill or prominence in
the game Of golf; in other words. il
playing ability, Official position or wide
acquaintance among golfers are used
by the owner or proprietor to promote
his business, he cannot play golf as
an amateur.
Naturally the line cannot be drawn
so hard and fast respecting owners
and prOprietors as it is in the case OF
agents n employees. but the principle
involved Is equally definite. The cir
cumstances surrounding each particu-
lar case will determine the application
OF the RUE ana II ought not to De
necessary to add that the executive
committee viii uniformly endeavor to
be governed by fairness and impair
TALLY in exercising its discretion.
NO cant should be INDUCED in to
the effect that there is any disposition
to prevent individuals from earning
their own living. or that there is any
tendency to favor players who are pos
sessed Of independent means. The
whole proposition narrows itself down
TO a consideration Of what sort Of a
gsme golf is and how its conduct in
this country should be maintained.
Central Control Needed.
T an extent that perhaps does not
apply to any other form Of sport, the
game Of golf demands -imperatively
that its ultimate control be vested in
one central governing body. possessing
absolute authority. It is that rela-
tion to the game in this country that
the United States Golf association Is
called upon to fill. Its efforts in this
direction should be looked upon as pub
lie spirited and disinterested-as they
are.
IF its decisions seem to go contrary \
to the plans either Of individuals or
associations, il should not be put down
to interference On the contrary, there
should be a willingness to accept the
situation and some display OF OOpera-
tion in the effort to maintain Uniform
ity and consistency. without which sue
cessful conduct OF the game is i'm