New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-08
AMATEUR MUST
WATCH HIS STEP
IN 1915 GOLF
u. S. g. A. Firmly Against
Professionalism Influ-
ence of Free Trips.
Bv FRED HAWTHORNE.

These are nerve racking days for the
amateur golfers. The blast that swept
through the ranks Of the tennis play
ers in this fair land recently was just
as impartial in its treatment OF those
who swing driver and brassic. and II
sleepless nights are the lot OF the one,
so, too. are they tho pc: b Of the
other.
The United States Golf Association
10 evidently prepared 70 keep a vigilant
eye on the flock within the amateur
fold. and there are various indications
Of this. Take the case of the men who
will compete in the Western amateur
championship tournament. on the links
Of the Del Monte Golf Club, IN Cali
fornia, in July.
Certain clements in the Southern
California association favored the offer
Of the Del Monte club for a special
train running from Chicago 10 the
Coast and return. all the expenses Of
the golfers who wished 70 play IN the
tournament from July Il TO % being
paid.
Much discussion followed this gener-
Gus offer, but il can be accepted as a
fact that the United States Golf Asso-
citation is unalterably opposed to any
amateur taking advantage OF this OPP
portunity for junkct across three
quarters Of the continent
ANY golfer headed toward the West
ern amateur tournament will have 20
H.. Ha o.
else he will not be allowed TO compete
after he steps OF tho train at Del
Monte. This may come as a shock TO
some. but 10 is better that the news
be broken to them now than after they
arrive with suitcases and golf bags at
tho Chicago railroad station.
10 is the intention of the Z. $. G. A..
10 consider all cases of violations Of
the amateur rule individually, for 1t u
felt that only in this way can justice
be melted out and the guilty separated
from the innocent.
Gilbert Nichols, Robert White,
James Hepburn, Jack Mackie, James
Maiden, Jack Hobens and Herbert
Strong went into session at the Hotel
Martinique yesterday and made further
plans for the formation OF the Drofes-
sional golfers association.
Jimmy Hepburn arose and brought
from his rocket a copy OF the consti-
tuition and bylaws of the Professional
Golfers Association of Great Britain,
Of which he was secretary for twelve
years. The professionals in this coun-
try plan TO model their organization
after that OF the British association.
A subcommittee, consisting Of
Strong. Hobens and Mackie, was APP
pointed yesterday for the purpose OF
going over the British constitution and
making minor changes adaptable to
American conditions. 4 report Will be
submitted early next week. and Strong
will send out copies Of the revised con-
stitution 20 about five hundred OF the
leading professionals I'm this country
and TO hundreds of golf olubs which.
il Is hoped, will assist the professional
m the Offering Of prize money and in
ether WAYS. as IS done in ENGLAND.
In John Bulls land the professionals
ere inclined 20 be rather strict as 70
who is eligible 10 enter their associa-
ton. For instance, assistants and men
who sell golf balls, clubs, etc. are not
considered genuine professlonals ana
are barred from membership IA the as
ISOLATION.
The men interested in forming the
association over here intend 70 adopt
the same attitude.
This Immediately gives rise 90 an
absorbing question: What is to become
of. say. Francis Ouimet, the former
oueu champion, II both the L. s. G. \.
and the proposed professional associa-
ton 90 through with their promised
Platforms Surprising Francis. Of
Rrooklin., is eased ou' Of the amateur
ranks by the governing body, thus au-
tomatically becoming a professional.
10 follows, then. that he will find the
gates closed and double-locked should
he attempt 10 compete on the linls as
q money chaser. for he viii be "a s,ller
of golf balls and clubs.
Verify. Ouimet would become a man
without country.