The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-02-27
rHr SUNDAY cARKsBURe w Va SUNDAY

and Still retain tneIT amateur ht"hu
! ing. One is.litsrary work. The only
restriction placed upon this form OF
activity is that players name may
not be attached to an article OF which
he is not in fact the author. The
other line OF effort for which an anna
tour golfer may receive pay Is work
In the direction OF what Is known as
golf architecture-the laying out.
remodeIing or construction OF golf
courses.
"The mention Of these two classes
I OF cases as the only forms Of &C
tiylty for which golfers may accept
remuneration ought In itself to SUI
fee, for by the simple process OF ex-
clusion every other imaginable
source OF income or financial bene-
1T connected in any way with the
game OF golf, is distinctly barred to
amateurs. Too great emphasis,
therefore. canno! be put upon this
method Of considering the subject,
for II those two things are kept con-
stantly in mind. a rule that is simple
easily understood and free from any
perplexlng complications Is provided
for the guidance OF golfers and all
Others interested.
During the last year nearly all
the instances that have come before
the executive committee for investi-
cation and consideration under the
amateur rule have been cases where
golfers were engaged In the handling
of golf supplies. Owing TO the fall
ure to enforce the amateur rule in
this respect in times past II was
found that the practice had grown
up Of preferring golfers for positions
Of this kind In practically every es-
tabllshment in the country that had
golf department connected with
Its business. 1t ought to be added in
justice to the three or four largest
and longest established sporting
goods houses in the country, that
this remark does not apply to them
latest Ruling Announced.
Not because the existing rules
were not far reaching enough 10 COW
Ell cases of this sort, but In order to
rivet the attention OF the sporting
world to the most frequent form OF
violations OF the amateur rule, the
executive committee at the last an
nual meeting OF the United States
Golf Association announced It's lat
est ruling on the subject, stating that
1t considered it violation OF the
amateur rule to accept or hold any
position as agent or employee that
includes az part of its duties the
handling Of golf supplies, or engage
In any business wherein ones useful
hess or profits arise because OF skill
OF prominence in the game OF golf.
This ruling draws the line hard and
fast. II means that no agent or en-
ploye whose duties even in part re-
Quire him to handle golf supplies can
play golf as an amateur in this coun-
try. II was necessary TO set up 4
high and distinct mark and this was
done by including everybody who
comes within the category. 1t does
not matter whether they are now golf
ers or not, nor Is II Of any Importance
whether they play with great skill or
not; while they handle golf supplies
they cannot play as amateurs. 1t is
not 4 question OF what name Is given
to the employee or the position he
holds. The facts regarding this rela-
tionship TO the business are the con-
trolling elements to be determined.
Different View Taken.
"A somewhat different view is tax
en- OF the case OF the owners or pro-
prietors of sporting goods establish
ments. The mere fact OF ownership
of such a business 'naH ~ constitute
violation OF the rule. II, however, It
appears that aug a;te!ppi 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 pro-
mote his business, he cannot play golf
as an amateur. Naturally the line
cannot be drawn so hard and fast re-
specting owners and proprietors as it
is in the case of agents and employees,
but the principle involved is equally
definite. The circumstances surround
ing each particular case will deter
mine the application of the rule. and
it ought not be necessary 10 add that
the executive committee will uniform
ly cndcavor 10 he governed by fair
ness and impartiality in exercising
their discretion.
mo cant should be INDUCED in to
the effect that there is any DISPOSE
ton to prevent individuals from earn
ing their own living, or that there is
any tendency 10 favor players WHO are
possessed of INDEPENDENT means The
whole proposition narrows itself down
10 a consideration Of what sort of a
game golf is and how its conduct in
this country should be maintained.
In most respects golf is to he con-
sidCred in the same light as all other
sports-a mere advocatipn and gentle.
manly form OF recreation, as far as
possible removed from the sphere OF
commercial activity or pecuniary gain
direct or indirect These considera-
tions alone would suffice to prompt
the executive committee TO frmness
and diligence in the enforcement Of
the amateur rule, The game OF golf.
however. differs in many ways from
any other form OF sport or recreation
now prevalent in America. II is not
merely sport. it is social institu-
ton. Friendship and good fellowship
enter into it far more than into any
other game. II develops self reliance
and nobility of character; 1t incucates
good citizenship and the highest Of
al human attainmcnts,, the mastery Of
self.
Rules. Governing Game,
1t is a game that possesses peculiar
elements of a national character in adj
ditiOn 10 it's intimate personal rela-