The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-10
No New Ideas Possible.

nation.
No New Idens Possible.
There can be no new ideas developed,
naturally, in matters concerning the first
beginnings, but personal contact with
players here and abroad for the last
twenty-five years may afford some new
light on present facts.
Where and when golf started nobody
knows of a certainty; whether or not II
comes from Holland or Scotland matters
l'tle. perhaps. except to the seeker AFTER
the truth and nothing but the truth.
To him we would say that some sort OF
game resembling golf was played In
Holland oftentlnes on the ice with stakes
instead of holes. No rules for such play
have ever been discovered, but from pic
lures We learn that the finish OF this
Hollandsh form was somewhat after the
fashion of croquct. with the ball being MT
between two wickets.
No form of exercise, however, becomes
true sport. especially of competitive
nature. until rules are compiled and this
essential was performed by the Scots. II
they did not crack they shaped tho crea-
ton SO that it became an ineligible and
like bic game or the whole world.
Exact dates. as we have intimatod, are
hard to act In these matters We are
forced to conclude that II was played
years and wears before the first records
which were compiled 500 years ago.
Then golf was beginning to flourish
among other than royalty and the
wealthy. and to keep yeomanry skilled in
the practice OF the bow and large axe
i decree was made that golf should be
given UP absolutely. He who dsooeycd
was under the first penalty OF a sum
worth to-day about $50.
This did no good. Il seems, for 4
| stricter ono had to be made forbiddinC
| any balls to be brought into the Coun-
try from Holland. but again disohedience
vas the answer, with the King himself
one OF the chief breakers OF his cdict.
Scots Determined to PLAY.
The Scots were determined to play
the attractive and alluring sport and
no rules and regulations could prevent
But when it came to playing on a
! Sunday, and all day, even at the time
| of the morning sermons, there was a
| cry from within their own sectional
! borders. 1t had been deCrccl that In
, the afternoon of a Sunday sports of .,
rugged nature could be INDUCED in, but
when headstrong golfers not only is
! nored these demands but even played
ut the time of sermons the law was
'sAments were melted out. several Of
tenders being fined twenty pounds, while
! others in addition to their fines were
| forced to appear the following Sunday
in the place of public repentance in the
presence OF Ssa whole congregation
Even one good souied deacon who was
caught was at once deposod publicly
from his office.
Half a century later a compromise
We Il ,,.1,n
divine service in the morning and those
only were permitted to indulge in theiI
favorite pastimes In the afternoon. But
there continued to be trouble and fines
and multiple fines for years To-day
golf is permitted in Scotland at two
thirds OF the courses while insour land
the percentage OF restrictions Is less.
Reason for Term "RoynI."
Naturally there is good reason 70,
calling golf a royal game. inasmuch a,
1t was the favorite sport Of the king.
and queens of Scotland and England. n.
well as the dukes and earls in ancien
times.
King ChaEles. King James the Flrs,
Second and Sixth, Mary Queen of Scot
and others were p-eeminent among tin
lovers OF the recreation.
pleasing story. fully authenticated
comes down concerning the play o
James, Duke Of York, and afterwart
King OF Scotland. Two rather pompou
Englshmen visiting the Duke protested
tAdt golf was as much English as Scotch
that the EnGlishmen played II fully Il
well II not better. and that they them
selves were sufficiently dextrous t,
play the Duke and any Scot he Nigh
select 10 prove that II was Of EnglisI
and not Scotch origin.
Tho match was made, and the Duk
sought out John Patersone OF Edinburgh
shoemaker by trade. and told him tina
no wished him for a partner. The shoe
maker was appalled, at the thought q
playing In such company, but being reas
sured consented, Of course, and a Leith
, the links near Edinburgh. the mate
was played with a very large sum O
| money waGered
The Duke and his partner won hand
; somely. and 10 the shoemaker. Patcr
some was given onc-half OF the win
, hlhgs. which enabled him TO buy n fin
, residence in Edinburgh, upon who's
wall the Duke caused an escutcheor
r with the arms of the family % Pate1
some surrounded by crest AMI motto
) to he affixed. History doesn't To
, whether the shoemaker was made