The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-27
GOLFERS TO AWAIT
ENGLISH INVITATION
will Not Seek British Title
Until Normal Conditions
Appcrtain.
INFLUX OF PROS HERE
ny JOHN G. ANDERSON.

TheTe nave Deen interesting CONVEX
srtions during the past season, when
a number of the best players OF the
country have gathered together, as
to the possibility and propriety OF
their entering the lists in tho
struggle for the title of British ANA
teur golf champion. II such an event
is held the first season after the con-
clusion Of peace terms. 1t will be re-
called that in the three British amateur
championships held Dust previous to
the great war there were over a score
Of entrants from the United States.
In fact. so popular had the trip be-
come that II war had not cast Its
unadow over the links twice that many
Mayors from this side would have made
extended efforts to bring that title back
10 where II once was, in 1904. through
the wonderful goling genius of Walter
]. Travis.
Chick Evans, when the holder of both
our national titles. surely would have
gone and so would a dozen others to
whom the International spirit Of rivalry
Is becoming n bit more than a mere
myth. The incentive to win has been
heightened considerably by past failures
and the single success of fourteen
years ago. The probability, therefore.
so I should judge from the trend of
ideas on this subject. could be made
strong as a surety. but only a Eyes"
tempered by tho propriety of the act.
The British have lost hundreds Of
first class golfers in the war. espe-
cially the young Corners, their ranks
have been shorn OF local champions and
ex-champions and the lack of steady
play has taken away the sure touch OF
club and ball. II would be idle to state
that such high class performances would
be the rule at the first championship
held as obtained in the pre-war title con-
tests.
Strain Lighter Here.
Many of our golfers. however. have
been under no such strain and there
would assuredly be with them a meas
ured advantage In their quest for fur
Their honors. That some representative
would win in the title play Is no more
likely. perhaps, than in former years,
but tho general average would furnish
far sitter opposition.
With this thought in mind. therefore.
Il is pleasing to note that the consensus
Of opirion has been that unless a def
mite request Is made for the entries of
the golfers from America there will be
no regular golfing invasion of peaceful
but persistent wielders OF the brassie
ard putter. I heard lately from high
authority in Scotland that there was
scant likelihood of championship being
held the very first season after the
war ended. in which case the ten or
twelve months respite might permit
general awakening and renewed en-
tente cordiale between British and
American golflng relations.
While on the subject Of international
championships II is interesting. to note
what is said by a prominent British
professional who has spent the greater
part OF the war on the fighting line.
He claims that few British pros
failed TO do their duty at home and LEFT
for America or elsewhere at the start
of the war, They have been "cited" by
the Professional Golfers Association
abroad. and never will be permitted 10
play in an open event where the control
or part control is under such organi-
ration. and furthermore. that participa-
ton in other open events will be a diff
cult matter. 1 will quote a few lines
from this note. which shows succnctly
the attitude OF the lads who have, as
Harry Lauder sings, Fought and Won"
Links Now Farm Lands.
Il feel that golf will he moribund
for year or so in Great Britain. Tay-
lor doesn't agree with me. but this war
has carried Off the leaders Of amateur
golf and. apart from that. many courses
are three-fourths farm lands If many
OF us pros were set down suddenly at
our former courses We would have
nothing to do until the turf came again.
Since 1914 l have been in the army,
and in France since early In 1915.
have had my share of the trenches, but
the medical people do not consider me
ct enough for the line now. (T'his chap
is over 40 years of age) This is absurd
really. Not that I complain, the re-
verse Is the case, for my lines have
fallen in pleasant places and ! get even
an occasional game on one OF the best
Of the French courses.
Il see of your doings from time to
time. Much has happened since we first
met you at Holbprn Viaduct en- route to
Sandwich. I find II difficult to speak
politely OF the English pros who pro-
ceeded to your side after the outbreak
OF war. I note that they are still play
Ing. You people cannot have much re-
spect for them, surely. or they for them
selves. ] do not think that could mem
lion dozen out OF the many hundreds
here who have not Joined up. and Joined
early
My own family Is scattered. There
80 hAtN VI U.s. all pIuS. l. Oh CouTse'
am in France, my youngest brother.
wounded in France in 1916, is now in a
hospital IN BagdaI. and another is
with the Salonica force. For four years
We have not met, but things look better
now. In the belief that we shall in the
near future meet at some first tee. be-
HeNe me, yours. &C."
Pros VIII He welcome.
The thought comes TO mind after pc
T.sing that note again that when the
war is over there will be an influx of
golf professionals to this country, for
there will be many courses over in
Britain which will be unplayable for a
year or more. We can imagine no
fault 10 be found even II they come in
D. dozens instead of by twos and threes
Those who have been fighting In the
trenches have been fighting for US as
Wen rs for their native lands. and as
Trends and companions In arms they
VIII be received by the golfers over
here
There are plenty OF courses which
need professionals, and hundreds OF new
"nes Will be constructed or started soon
AFTER tho end of the war. This Is to
many land OF promise, and nowhere 10
mere greater reward in the golting line
ran can be obtained for faithful SER
Woo In the United States.
There are no more appreciative men
man golfers when treated right. The
nome pros will not lose their Jobs, II
,h'y have fulfilled the requirements of
u''y as II has been presented, while the
E"'e easily can get along without the
IFJfeSs lOnal who has shlrked ThoRa