New-York tribune., 1918-07-07
Royalty Played
Superb Golf in
Ancient Periods
Game More Popular With
Rulers Than Any Sport
in Favor To-day
BY J. S. Mitchell

yachting and polo. Not only ut the
present time, but away back in the dim
perspective of long ago, golf has
had its kingly votaries. the musty
tones Of the sporting past bearing un-
controvertible evidence to the asser-
ton.
Here and there old volumes are to
be found containing yarns, jokes and
other quips about the reigning lieges
who for while were tempted to lay
aside the sceptre for the more exhil-
arating exercise with the mashe and
driver
Of the royal devotees of the links
the most ardent devotees were James
! of England and vi of Scotland. James
II, Charles | and Charles II and VIII
lam ~. The las- ramed had the dis
tinction of christening the st. Andrews
Club with the title of "Royal," and in
order to stimulate true interest in
the game he donated a medal which
has been competed for annually ever
since, and at the present time is held
by prominent golfer.
1t was a customary thing for the
King to be accompanied by Queen Ade-
iaide, his consort, who, in time, became
close student of the game, and she
too. offered q medal known as the AIDE
ialde medal, attached to which there is
unique condition of play. 1t must
be played and won by the captain
of the st. Andrews Club during his term
Of office, and the rules are SO arranged
that he cannot lose when he makes his
eHort to gain possession of the trophy.
one OF the most prominent holders of
this prize was the late King Edward.
who sported the medal for the season
Of 1863.
James ii Devotee
OF the royal players the most ardent
was James II, his passion at one time
being so intense that he was hardly
ever seen off the links, which were laid
out close to the royal residence in
Scotland
Earlier in his career, when he was
vet Duke of York, he engaged in spe-
cial match which, if nothing else.
showed that the future ruler was no
snob. One day while discussing the
nner points Of play with couple of
Ehgllsh guests an argument cropped up
over the relative merits Of the different
nIatlonailtles in sports, one of the
brltons claiming, as usual, the su-
premacy Of the globe for the Englisb
and including golf in his category.
This nettled the duke and he then and
there challenged the pairsto match.
with the condition that he pick part
her 1t was instantly agreed and the
prospective James II selected for a
playing mate man named Patersone.
q shoemaker who lived at Canongate
Edinburgh, and one of the cleverest
golfers in Scotland.
Owing chiefly to the keen play of the
shoemaker the Duke won and as a re-
ward for his assistance, Patersone was
presented with half the wager. which
he gladly accepted and with which he
built house for himself, which stands
to the present day and is pointed out to
golhng tourists who chance to visit
Auld Reekie.
In the older annals James is men,
toned as an enthusiastic golfer. and
at one time engaged two experts to
look after his golf balls and clubs. A
man named Melville made his clubs for
term OF twenty-one years, and, proof
tnat the monarch was no spendthrift-
at least not in connection with his
participation in sport--it was stipu-
lated that the price Of no club should
exceed four shillings.
In the accounts of the Lord High
Treasurers Of Scotland frequent items
relative to golf expenses are to be met
with, one in particular being "Item
xvii day of juli ii golf clubbes to the
King" ''
Queen Mary Expert
1t is related of Mary Queen of Scots
That she was finished woman golfer
ana never missed an opportunity to
have round on the links, and in fact
was so anxious for the practice that
she played match few days after the
death of Darley
Another royal parsonage who was ex-
tremely fond of the game was Charles
l, and this trait was shown more fore
IDLY during his Incarceration at New
castle. He continually bemoaned his
fate, not being able to engage in the
game. and. finally, when the town au-
thorlties heard of his unabated wailing.
they, gave him liberty to 60 out and play
on the Shield Field every day Common
history has it that it was during one
of these matches against Rogey that he
heard of the Irish rebellion. but. al
though he was greatly excited, he con
tinued on and finished the full eighteen
holes.
Among the royal golfers the most
active at present is King Alfonso of
Spain. who plays at the very least four
out Of the seven days Of the week. and
finds his indulgence an anodyne balm
for all the ills Of the flesh. Not alone
Is the pastime delightful one to the
Castillian ruler, but it keeps alive the
happiest moments of his life, for over
his introduction to the game he met tn G
charming British princess who became
his wife. The meeting occurred on the
links at Biarritz, Switzerland, and very
soon the young King became as con-
sistent golfer as he was wooer. and
on his return to Spain had a special
course LAID out on the royal grounds.
AS proof Of his endeavor to be-
come proficient golfer it is said that
feront holes. and by this method he
constantly improved.
Golf Before Royalty
Some years ago he caused consider
able comment in London when on a
visit there. Before he paid his re-
spects to the royal family he rushed
off to the links at Ranelagh and made
a round OF eighteen holes to satisfy
h'mself that he was real golfer. Even
TO this day his ardor for the game is
unabated, so much so that he early
provided his young son with a set Of
c!uns and introduced him to the green
as soon as the youngster was able to
walk. "
The royal golfer with the foremost
appreciation of the game was the lats
King Edward VII, who designed the
links at Windsor Castle. and the ex.
perts have it that they are the finest
IN the British Isles, even more oririna
than st. Andrews. On account Of his
public duties his time on the preen ya a