The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-04
A Game of Golf In France
BY CHARLES B.. HowRY. Or,

Paris. oct. 22.-(By Mail. l-Golf
with airpianes manoeuvering over
head. the din of their motors pro.
flaming the silence SO necessary on
the ordinary links Golf with these
same aviators Swooping in the pain
of ones best drives. Imagine trying
to concentrate on ttfe ball while won
dering IL "A tail spin may not land on
ones neck. Yet such golf is enjoyed
by the hardy golfers of the American
expeditionary forces thanks to one
of the seven agencies ombined in the
United War Work campaign for
sl10,5 500, 900. Not even golf is over
looked in the diversions and comforts
provided by the Y. NJ. c. A., Y. W.
c, A.. National Catholic War Coun-
ell, X. of c.. War Camp Community
Service, Jewish Welfare Board, Amer
lean Library association and Saliva
ton Army. My introduction to this
golf came while the Major and were
dwadling over our ofter-luncheon
coffee in hotel at a base city OF
the A +. +.
What do you say to a game OF
golf ?" he querried.
smiled indulgently at my Old
friend. | knew he must be Joking.
Il can fonzle and slice as we'll as
the next IetltoW, SdH i, OEI Il Jul.
know what my form would be over
here. You know, strange as It may
seem, I've never putted with bayo-
net in my life nor do / recall any
club in the states where hand greri-
AIDES are used for balls
I'm not joking, reJoined the
ajor. There is a dandy nine-h hole
course on the outskirts of this town.
You probably won't believe me unless
/ show you-you,re one of the Mis-
souri, famify-so come on and Wen
have a round"
A short ride on street car brought
us TO the entrance of the club grounds
and / had to admit, after an aston
ished glance at the panorama before
me, that here really was a golf course.
and a very good one. A walk aioug
a graveled path brought us TO the
entrance OF the clubhouse, a house
we'll equipped with showers, dressing
rooms and other conveniences for the
players. Wide vine shaded porches
ran around three sides of the build
ing and here, was informed.
luncheons and dinners were served al
reasonable prices.
II thought this was France and
! wartime. "A 4inalax exciaisaed. Ny
! friend laughed.
we have to thank the Y. NC, A
for this" he said, ''Of course. this
plant was here before the war and
was a favored spot for visiterG, but
with the opening of hostilities the
patronage naturally dropped. 10 zero.
When the Americans came there
were among them many officers who
were good golfers and tennis players.
So the Y. NJ c, A. assumed the man
agement of the club, and It's grounds
and privileges are open to any OF
f1cers of the A. E. +,
We picked out set OF clubs and
started our game, | made good nay
prophecy about foozling. But had
an alibl, over our heads, constantly
swooping. diving and turning like
monstrous yet incredible graceful
birds. were dozens of airpianes. all
proudly sporting the insignia of the
United states Who could play
game calling for concentration when
these knights of the air were per-
forming their evolutions just over
ones head? Certainly l couldn't But
my companion scoffed at my excuses
Why that's nothing he said
scornfuliv. those chaps are from a
big training school near here and hy
over every day They have accidents
occasionally. Fact is, you never can
tell when one of these planes may
come tumhling down on your head.
However. you should worry"
was just about To drke when he
delivered himself Of this Grafton.
topped the bali neatly into the roagh.
then glared savagely at the innocent
face OF my companion. Apparently
obfvious of anything wrong, he con-
tnued %ew@ s5~
That isn't all to look ~ out for,
either. Here Just the other day two
English avlators came over. from their
camp not far away to have a round
or two TO Put them in trim FOR
( dinner"
What was there extraordinary
about that" | asked The Engf1h
are quite fond OF the game
"Of course but these chaps came
over in their planes, golf BAGS and all.
and 'zoomed' down on the links.
Made a good landing too. and saun-
tered UP to the first tee as IL that was
1.-The ordinary way to make ones "trip
| to the links"
! After that I couldn't hit asthing
but the turf. simply couldn't keep
my mind on the game and taS sya
on the ball AT the same time. ianever
made even a quiet protest when. after
! the next hole. which l made In ex-
I actly H. the Major remarked that
we might call ii day and look into
! the hazards of the nineteenth hole.