The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-07-10
GOLF IN FAR OFF LANDS
QUEER CONDITION OF GAME IN
FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
Links Now Exist in Out-of-Way Places
Once Considered Impossible-Not
New In India--Oaddies Willful in
Africa.


fectly appointed clubhouse, annexes a
trained caddie, and makes a round
over links that are tried and true"
he seldom thinks Of anyone playing the
game under different conditions. Yet
il stands to reason that golf must be
played under adverse circumstances in
many countries on this mortal coil, and
they say it is only when a devotee has
seen the game in strange lands under
queer conditions that he can really ap-
preciate his home links
Years ago, before golf had Travelled
far beyond Great Britain, exiled golfers
had to possess their souls in patience
until the exigencies Of the work upon
which they were employed enabled them
to return. In few distant spots it
was possible to get game, and naval
officers when taking a run ashore at
some eastern possession would hastily
mark out temporary links and make
the best of things. But only during the
last two decades has golf become gem
eral in unlikely places. During the
early nllltlitS tAlldllldNth 6OiANio WI
templated overcoming the difficulties
presented by unpromising ground to-
day links-of sorts-exist where II was
once believed impossible to make them.
In India golf has long flourished. The
Bombay course, where, owing to the
public recreation ground being used
for the purpose. canvas screens (which
are erected and removed as required
take the place Of bunkers, has existed
for many a year. and the Calcutta links
are pride Of Bengal Indeed, the Cal
cutta Golf Club with its model green,
admirably kept fairway. not too much
rough, and well appointed clubhouse
is a most prosperous institution. But
if Calcutta holds the premier position
a number of "up country" clubs run II
close At Poonah, for instance. a rocky
expanse was turned into an excellent
course by dynamiting the rocks into
smithereen, clearing away other op
structions. and laying down earth. A
number of links which exist elsewhere
have been prepared in similar man
ner. In some places masses Of rock
are converted into inclines By means
of endless carloads Of earth, and In
several instances not.to-be-denied enthu
siasts have sewn the ground with grass
seed TO avoid the nuisance caused by
the dust.
Coolies Build Links in India.
Huge trees have also had TO be up
rooted, and when the dried-up bed Of
a river has intervened. coolies have la
boriously filed the part which inter
fered with the drive by emptying count
less buckets OF earth into II. Natura
hazards abound, most Of them beint
deep water courses, small ponds, "nul
lahs," which are bitches varying II
width from six to twenty feet, anC
clumps Of mango trees. Other obstacles
are furnished by droves Of unruly buf
faloes, passing country carts, and strag
Cling flocks of goats. The st. Andrew
rules are. however. augmented by count
less local rules. thus making things lesi
difficult for the player.
Although the cold weather" Of thu
East is generally pleasant, during the
rest OF the year one golfs in an atmos
phere resembling a Turkish bath. Ions
before reaching the first hole the playei
is steaming. and by the time the full
round has been completed he is ready
TO drop with exhaustion. At Colombo
for example, the moist steamy hea
which prevails for the greater part o
the twelve months speedily willis tn
most energetic golfer 20 a limp rag
while the mugginess OF Singapore, II
the tropical Malay states, is even worse
At Sourabaya, in Java, where the en-
thusiasts play on a discarded oil field
the sultriness is truly appalling. Will
at Sarawak. Borneo. the awful muggi
ness. coupled with the extreme rough
ness OF the ground. positively makes I
tramp around the course penance. No
is II possible 10 successfully fight tn
heat even II ones garments are re
stricted to the thinnest possible. tn
atmosphere weights down the player
finally reducing him TO a wreck.
Hot Weather for Golf.
Golf is played under much the sam
hAiuNrIntAll ARAAAAAAkAla az AfAAA AA'A
the golfers time being taken up in vii
ing the streams Of perspiration from hi
face and neck The Sierra Leone cl
mate is equally unpleasant, while IN
course, which during the summer rain
becomes a huge swamp. is by no mean
agreeable to play on. Fortunately
dries quickly, the water disappearing al
ter the fierce sun shone on Il for FEY
hours.
The game flourishes in Africa, fror
the shores Of the sparkling Mediterr
mean to Capetown, and from the A
lantic TO the Indian Ocean. But n'
without difficulties. for in the mort
the Nile overflowing It's banks. place
several courses under water during Il
summer months. play being impossib
until the destructive river resumes Il
normal dimensions In other plac'
the strong grass interferes with goc
lies. and as the tees and greens are
sand there is chance Of the ba
bounding far when II pitches. II
Egyptian courses are. however. sati
factory. and in the winter months Il
possible TO play on them without e
periencing discomfort. During the SUI
mer. however. the heat is most unplea
ant while the flies and the dust NAL
II possible to believe in the ten plagu
OF Egypt
Elsewhere in Africa clubs sometim
suffer from lack OF members and. II
player taking the law into his oy
hands. chagtises a woollv.headed natl