The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-12
F0theringhan1 Pleads Golf Pros Case;
Suggests Commission Take Up Problem
Points That Straight Salary Plan Which Threatens Adopted Generally
Will Hurt Game-Dcusses Broadly in Letter
THE SUN From Pnehurst

Retrenchment Is the slogan all along
the line among golf and country clubs
and the golf professionals ind them
selves confronted with serious financial
problems. The Country Club of Brook
line. one OF the richest organizations
OF its kind In this country. some time
ago showed the way by hiring a new
professional on a nxed salary basis.
The professional there is not to profit
personally from golf lessons, the sale
and repair OF clubs and other perquisites.
which have come to be regarded as the
professionals own. In connection with
this question George G. Fotheringham
the professional, has pleaded the ca Sc
OF his associates and himself In a state
ment sent up yesterday from Pinehurst.
where he Is spending the winter. Fother-
ingham says:
The hand writing on the wall for the
golf professional. Two years ago this
phrase was coined, but It had one word
added semi" At that time some mem
beers OF the amateur ranks were more
disturbed than the average professional
Will be over the phrase as II now reads
II may be that we are reaching a serious
crisis We have always found that after
such has happened the outlook Is cleared
and a better understanding exists. I
think It If a blessing that a golfer such
as John G Anderson should comment
on this subject
Calls 1t Socialism.
While we must admit that we cannot
quite agree with him on many OF his
points there ls also much in favor OF
this proposed change In the first place
we always come back to the problem
OF the golf clubs and balls and the
money received for teaching. From
time immemorial professionals have had
these rights, Why has ne had these
rights? Because he required the pront
derived from these sales to allow hin,
living wage, furthermore the men
who granted these privileges had In
mind the protection of the game OF golf
from the semi-amateur'em which pre-
vailed at that time IN other sports.
They had a keen desire to have a clear
dividing line between professionals and
amateurs and we must give them credit
! for keeping the game clean. Needless 20
say 7 am surprised at the attitude Mr.
Anderson takes In this matter. We have
always had in mind that he was a
stanch supporter OF the professional hav-
ing these rights. Perhaps II Is changed
times. and progress must put aside old
customs.
The change appears 20 many golfers
| a system OF Socialism Taking away n
mans work. preventing him from makins
rs much money as his own individual
efforts can produce and taking that
money and dividing II up among the
members Of various clubs surely IL So.
cia'lsm Of the worst kind
| The salary basis was tried out tire,
years ago with one Of the best teachers
| In the game. the man who developed
Bob Jones and Alex Stirling. II LASTED
tslly one year. Initiative. ambition ant
interest soon were dead. Right Their,
a mistake was made. The club set out e
improve matters, tried only one system
failed, and again adopted the old regime
It ia curious that It did not suggest som,
| other scheme,
| According to Mr.. Anderson's figure
there are 100 pros" who clear net abou