The sun., 1917-07-01
WEST KEEPS GOLF
FOLLOWERS ACTIVE
Eastern and National Officials
sit Back While Others
Gain Fame.
LOCAL AMATEURS LOSERS

New York golfers and their brother
spor,smen Of the East will cast longing
eyes toward Chicago shortly. The West
en city centre OF tho golhng excite
ment which expands but never contracts
throughout an area greater than the
New England States and with New York
and Pennsylvania added Is to entertain
the followers Of the royal and ancient
sport in the only big amateur tourna-
ment which will be played in this coun-
try this season.
Just why golf championships are In
vogue around Chicago and not played
in this section OF the country is a Ques-
ton that few golf officials care to dis
rus. Why the war should have any
greater effect on New York's eligible
recruits who play golf than on those
in and near Chicago Is a difficult matter
10 answer 1t would be hard to make
any golfer admit that such difference
exists, but IN cancelling all tournaments
such as has been done, the admission
must be taken for granted.
Therefore New York must sit. tightly
and watch from afar the Chicago golfers
enjoying themselves and struggling
through a week of brilliant performa noes
10 fame. The Western Golf Association
IS prepared to stage its finest tourna-
ment Several New York players are
going to find business in Chicago during
the tournament week.
War Department BIamed.
When Jock Hutchinson arrived at the
eighteenth tee at Whitemarsh Valley
Country Club a wek ago and completed
seventy-two hole journey in 292
strokes Howard W. Perrin, president
Of the United States Golf Association.
arose to award the brilliant Glen View
professional During the course OF his
remarks Mr. Perrin declared that the
U. s. G. A. had cancelled all tournaments
at the instigation OF Secretary OF War
Baker. Mr.. Perrin was certain that the
I. s. g. A. would have staged all its
scheduled events had not Secretary
Baker asked that these be abandoned
in the interest of recruiting.
Since Secretary Baker advised this
move the War Department must be
charged with the loss of golf tourna-
ment play, but not wholly. as later Pres
ident Wilson asked that all athletic
contests be continued in the interest of
man and physical condition. President
Wilson realized that the abandonment
Of intercollegiate athletics and the sub
sequent cancellation of golf and tennis
championship did more harm than
good. Secretary Baker has not issued
any further advice, but II is certain that
now he concurs with the President.
Even the tennis followers and officials
have realized the folly OF their hasty
actions and are now prepared to &c
through with the annual tournaments
Only the title will be missing this season
in the tennis world, which does not mat
ter great deal, judging from the num-
Der of entries received In the tourna-
ments now being played.
Action Is UntImeIy.
officials Of the U. S. G. A. have beer
most untimely in their actions. They
hurrIedly substituted hysteria for SAINT
reasoning and since then have had
hard time getting back 20 earth. tn,
latest untimely move was the cancella
ton of the amateur championship tina
was to have been played at Oakmont IL
August The announcement OF this aban
donment came during the open patriots
affair at Whitemarsh and after lot o
the amateurs had stayed away from
Whitemarsh under the impression tina
they would have a chance to utilize
vacation playing over the oakmon
course. Had the announcement com
earlier many of the amateurs undoubt
fessionals instead of the five who di
appear.
Golf competitions are necessary to tn
welfare of the sport and TO retain tn
interest Of the younger generation Il
athletics. Men past military age VIII
get their exercise at golf can get all tn
enjoyment needed beating some frien
over the home links Youngsters, how
ever. want to measure strokes with tn
best In the land, and the only chance 70
such pleasure is in sectional or nationa
tournaments. BY dispensing with thes
events the youngsters lose interest In tn
game and at the same time allow thei
condition to run down by not takin
exercise.
Had the U. 8. @. A recovered its los
breath rs did the A. A. U. and tenni
officials golfers might not now be cast
ing envjous looks toward Chicago.
stars to Play in West.
4 .Nat the Western tournament vii
D. almost national in scope. Bobb
Jones, who recently won the Souther
championship, and his ciubmate an
chUm. Perry Adair. from Atlanta, wi
be among the starters. Francis Ouime
Of Boston, who is termed an amateur b
Western officials, has accepted an invl
tation 10 compete. Several metropolita
players Of high repute are seriously con
sderng playing. In fact PRACTICAL
every player OF note in the country wi
Be on hand
II is not certain that Chick Evans wi
take part in the tourney The nationa
amateur and open champion has given
10y Of his time TO Red Cross exhibition
ot late and may not be able to find tim
10 play In the Western championship
However, Warren K. Wood, Bob Gard
ner and Ned Sawyer OF the Chicago dis
uict are almost certain starters.
Red Cross Play on July 4.