New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-11
"SportS for Sports Sake
or for Profit" -CalkinS
Golfer Advances Idea
About Ouimet Case -
Sends Letter to Tribune

Leighton Cslkins. long prominently
connected with American golf in OH
cial capacities in both the national and
metropolitan associations, and the man
who drafted the constitutions for
those two bodies. is wrought up over
the golf situation and speaks his MIND
in a letter to The Tribune relative TO
some Of the questions that are perpleN-
ing golfers all over this country.
we seem all TO be after the same
thing-yet houndering about in seas OF
misunderstanding" writes Mr.. Calkins,
who then gives his ideas on how the
present muddle may be cleared up.
In part he says:
1.-TWO things usually stand in the
way when men try TO adjust their dr.
ierences One Of them is misunder-
standing of the issue. The other il
distrust of the motives of those with
whom you find yourself not in accord
| think that the approaching annual
meeting OF the national body can be
made 10 serve the true interests OF the
came. if the men who are not in agree
ment 90 into the business session not
so much for the purpose of finding
fault as TO find points Of contact in or
der that differences may be understood
aLd ironcd out.
Not i'm Accord with Committee
81 am not in accord myself with the
executive committee on the amateur
definition. But | am in accord with
what am sure the committee aimed TO
accomplish BY it-viZ., the separation
of sport for sports sake from sport for
a livelihood or for profit. have al
ways had the idea that many OF our
difficulties come from trying TO make
the definition too specific. Whether or
rot Mr.. Ouimet should be classed as a
professional, his case could be decided
quite as easily and as fairly if the
rule provided briefly and concisely
that AN amateur golfer is one who
plays the game only as a recreation,
and who neither directly nor indirectly
cspitalizes his skill, reputation or
standing as a player or teacher for
the purpose of making money or Tor
pay
There are reasons for not bringing
writer's and course architects within
the rule. Certainly the game would
suffer if amateurs were not permitted
TO write books and articles and publish
and edit magazines for a livelihood or
pay. The professional player cannot
DO that kind of thing. And, as rule,
amateurs are far better course archi-
tccts. Yet there are serious objections
q this latter exception. There Is too
great an opening for amateur who
is successful as an architect to make it
a business. and the work naturally
leads to other services for pay which
clearly encroach upon legitimate &C
tivities. IL may be that the rule
should also bar capitalizing knowledge
Of the game or prominence in II Tex
cepting the writing editing or publish
ing of books. magazines. articles, etc.)
ror the purpose Of making money
Quite Another Thing
But il is quite another thing 10 de-
clare that one cease 10 be An amateur
II his usefulness or profits in any bust
ness arise because Of his skill or prom
inence in the game. One cannot easily
rid himself OF his general reputation,
ror prevent some advantage sccruing
from il in legitimate business. Must
one retire from business the moment
he discovers that his skill or promi-
nence in a game which he plays purely
as a pastime has enhanced his useful
ness in or gain from it,
"Or again. why should all young
men be declared professionals If they
handle golf supplies as the employees OF
game well or are prominent IN it? Such
& rule cannot be enforced. There are
thousands of players Of no standing
or reputation. one might say out-and-
out buffers. who are professionals, ac-
cording 20 that clause. IL cannot be
enforced and serves no useful purpose.
at would seem, where most of US are
in agreement as 70 what We want, that a
way might be found to get IL. But It
is doubtful IL rule can be framed a. a
convention OF delegates. A better way
would be 10 have the meeting devoted
10 a discussion OF the principle in
volved. and then appoint commission
10 frame a rule and recommend IL 10 the
executive committee.
81 suggest commission. because
there are men previously active in the
association and quite familiar with the
problem Who would be able 70 render
valuable advice. Such men, for ex-
ample. as Alexander Brittou. Of Wash
ington; Siss II. Strswn, OF Chicago;
Sam Heebner. OF Philadelphia, and 9TH
ers. A commission Of fifteen. with the
officers Of the association also members
Of H. ought to be able to present a So
luton Of the problem If time is taken
for the project, instead o. rushing
headlong from one unsatisfactory rule
TO another.