The Washington herald., 1918-01-20
By FRANK III. YOUNG.

adopted by the United States Golf
Association several years ago has
not proven satisfactory and that the
question of making a change was
brought up for considerations long
ago as 1915. when it was taken up
at its annual meeting. Thisl subject
was again taken up last year and
many look for action OF some kind
at the coming conclave.
At the time Of its adoption, the
"Calkins System" was thought to
be an ideal one. Its principal fea-
ture is that not only is the good
player handicapped because he is
good. but the poor one is handi-
capped because he is poor, the idea
being that. as the object OF handi-
Gaping Is to put all players on the
same level, IL an allowance is made
TO less skillful player because. he
cannot play particularly well then
some allowance should be made to
the more skillful one because his
chances of improvement are not so
good. The old method of handicap
ping-in all cases on the exact diff
ference between par for the course
and the players three best scores
takes into consideration only the
advantage held by the good player.
that is, his superior skill. 1t over
looks the advantage held by the
poorer one in that there is q greater
possibility for improvement.
The "Calkins System covers
these phases and is scientifically
worked out to such a degree that
it was considered as being an al
most perfect one and was recon-
mended by the national body and
generally adopted by the various
clubs throughout the United States.
Some were a little slow about fall
ing in line and now, just as things
have settled and are running
smoothly. comes the news that an
other change is being contemplated
and will likely be put in effect
within the next year or so. The
main objection to- the scheme now
in vogue is that it is considerd too
arbitrary in that il a player makes
certain average score over his
course he Is entitled to a certain
rating. no matter whether these
scores were made within a short
or long period OF time. The "Calkins
System" has many followers, how
ever. and there is of course a pos
sibility that its objections may be
ONtECOHle ~ It" SllsHI
ments, as the changing of the
handicap system of all of the clubs
in the country is a mans size" Job
undertaken unless complete
change is deemed absolutely neces-
sary for the good of the game.
The United States Golf Associa-
a.. VII g.
devotees of the ancient game and
all of the local clubs have been
asked to furnish lists of those of its
members who have Joined the col
ors, showing their rank. etc. This
list will be presented at the annual
meeting of the association which
takes place at the Bellevue-Strat-
ford, in Philadelphia. this week.
With the prospect of this roll of
honor or service flag ceremonies.
this years meeting is expected to
assume a patriotic flavor that will
lift it from the ordinary class to an
occasion that will live long in the
history of the organization. Incl
dentally. it might be mentioned that
Washington golfers names will ap-
pear rather prominently on this list.
The news that A. Y. Leech. jr..
chairman of the tennis committee of
the Columbia Country Club and one
of washington's hardest workers in
the interests OF the net game. has
been nominated as the delegate
representing the Middle Atlantic
section by the nominating commit
tee of the United States Lawn Ten
mis- Association. has been received
with such satisfaction by local rae
uuetters generally. Leech, who last
year was a member of the inactive
ranking committee. is one of the
few live wires" among local tennis
administrators and his nomination
as a sectional delegate. which Is
tantamount to election. assures ten
mis- players of the Middle Atlantic
administrators and his nomination
be well taken care Of during the
coming season. AS a matter of fact,
it was largely through his efforts
that the Middle Atlantic doubles
winners in the yearly tournament
were made eligible to compete for
the national title with other sec
tional winners a couple of years
ago.
ALTHOUGH lne "edIQeF mas Deen Illlu-
er during the past week than for sew
eral preceding ones, very few golfers
have been able to play over the local
courses on account OF the ice which
has not yet melted. At Columbia not
a single round was played until yes
terday, while practically the same
conditions have obtained at the other
clubs. One or two attempted to play
at Bannockburn recently and 1t was
really comical to watch their efforts
at some Of the holes. especially the
second which was solid ice and as
slippery as glass. 1t was almost i'm
possible to stand up on this rolling
green, and several falls were register
ed.
One Of the strongest arguments in
favor of additional municipal tennis
courts may be found in figures given
out by the once of Public Buildings
and Grounds from time to time. Four
Years ago there were but ten of these
municipal courts, while last year there
were nearly forty. In 1916 over 5000
different players. used these courts,
and when the season was at Its height
an average of about 1,5O0 applications
a month were granted. A daily record
OF over 1000 applications for use of
the courts was established for one
day. Last year, over 1900 local play
ers availed themselves of the NUM-
cipai court privileges. These 1917 fig
ures are exceptional when tennis con-