Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-28


the attention Of the sporting world Ia
he moN frequent form of violations OF
he amateur rule. the executive COM
mittce at the last annual meeting Of
the United states Golf association an
nounccd the latest ruling on the sub
Jcci. stating thai II considered II q
violation or the amateur ruc 20 accept
J or hold any position NJ agent or en-
! ploye That includes AZ part of 10 du-
ties the handling Of golf supplies, or
engage Ia any business wherein one's
usefulness or profits arise because Of
lakill or prominence IN the game of
! 'gclf
This ruling draws the line hard and
fast II means tlat no agent OF ein-
lployc whose duties even in part re-
luulrc him 10 handle solf supplies can
lplny golf az an amateur In this cOun-
TRY II was necessary to set up q high
lnud distinct mark and this wus done
by including everybody who comes
within the category. Il does not mat
ter whether they are now golfers or
not. nor Is It Of any importance whcth-
Ter they play with great skill or not.
while they handle golf supplies they
cannot play az amateurs. II Is not O
lqucstion Of what name is given to the
cmpioye or the position he holds.
"A somewhat different view IL TAX
en- Of the cdsc OF the owners or pro-
iprlctors OF sporting goods establish
ments. The mere fact Of ownership
| Of such business does not constitute
"a violation Of the rule. IT, however,
II appears that any attempt Is being
made TO capitalize skin or prominence
III the game of golf. IN other words,
IL playing ability, official position OF
wide acquaintance among golfers are
used by The owner OF proprietor 10 I
promote his business, he cannot plny
golf ny an amateur. Naturally the
1ihc cannot lie drawn 50 hard aud fast
respecting owners and proprictofs az
It is In the ease Of agents and ein-
ploycs, but the principle involved If
equally definite. The circumstances
surrounding each particular ease Will
determine the application uf the rule. !
and II ought not be- necessary to add |
that the executive committee Will uni !
formly cndeavnr IL he governed by |
fairness aud mpartialty in exercising |
theh discretion
mo cant should be- ndulgtd 81 to I
the effect that there is any disposition /
10 prevent individuals from earning
their own living or that there Is any I
tendency to favor players who are
possessed Of independent means. The |
whole proposition narfows itself down /
tn consideration uf what sort Of a /
game aolf is and how ts conduct IA /
this country should be maintained {
IN most respects golf is considered I
In the same light as Wll other sports
Il mere advocation and gontlcmanly !
form Of recreation as far as possible I
removed from the ephcrc Of CONNER
eial activity or pecunmy gain direct /
pr indirectly. These considerations
alone would suffice 20 prompt Tire cx-
lecutve committee to firmness and dil-
igenee in che enforcement Of the anna
teur rule The game of talf however.
differs Ia many ways from any other
form Of sport or recreation uow prey
alent IN America. II IL not merely O
sport Ii IL q social institution. Friend
ship and good Fellowship enter into 1t
far more Than into any other game
II develops sef-rolancc and nobi-
Of character; It inenlcates good ciil-
zcnship and the highest OF al human
attainmcnts. the mastery Of self
It is game that possesses peculiar
elements OF a national character I'M
addition TO It's intimate personal fcla-
tiouship and requires for its proper
administration a close adherence toi
the real spirit Of It's tradition ana the
high standards of its ancient and hun-
orable ideals. The rules governing the
fulno are the result OF centuries ut
experience aud Instructive Nortsman-
ship aud complete UNDERSTANDING ~
the reason for their existence cannot
he acquired except after painstukns
and conscientious study. Moreover il
IL doubtful Vt 1t may even Dc thus az
uuircd unless there Is Also present IN
hcrem appreciation Of the delicate dis
tinclions that distinguish refined. gen
tlemanly conduct II Is this sort Of
q game TINT the United States Golf as
ISOLATION has assumed the respenslbil-
iy If safeguarding in this country
and the hest Interest of that game viii
mot be promoted OF conserved except
bs the most riLid adherence to the
highest possible Of standards.
ITO an extent that perhaps dues not
apply to amy other form Of sport. the
game of golf demands impcrativck
that is ultimate control he vested IN
ono central governing body possess
INK absolUte autherItN II + that re-
laton q the game IN this country that
the United States coli association Isl
called upon 10 fill It, efforts In this
direction should be louked upon a.
public spirited aud disntercsicd---aS
ihes are. Il H. decisions seem 10 so
contrary 10 the plans. either Of indi-
vidnals ar associations. it should not
be pas down 10 interference. ON the
contrary. there should BE- a willingness 1
10 accept the situation and some dis
play Of cc-opetation Ia The effort -
nainlein uniformity and consistency
without which sutcssSfnl conduct ~
the game - Impossible.