The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-06
GOLF PROFESSIONAL
FACES NEW SYSTEM
Many Clubs Likely to Pay In
structors on Straight
Salary Basis.
Ky JOHN @. ANDERSON.


golf PROFESSIONALS that what we sec
In tho new arrangement recently made
by the Country Club. Brookllne.
At Brookline now the professional Is
hired Mt a straight salary. All the ices
secured from the giving OF lessons, sale
Of clubs, balls, bags. repairs. cleaning
and storing clubs, &C. go into the cof-
fers Of the club directly with conse-
quent lowering of the prices to the menu
bers II 1t be found that this can be done
and no money loss DO incurred by the
club.
Lot us delve into the matter a bit
more deeply than we have on previous
occasions What has come to pass in
Brookline was forecasted in these coll
urns two years or more ago. The new
arrangement has been slower of move
nent than We anticipated.
To begin let us consider the two view
POINTS which prompted the start OF the
proposition and the acceptance. The
club members, or those who represent
them. may have felt that the position
was worth $4,000 year and that sum
may have been acceptable TO the pro-
eessional VINO was asked to take the Job.
Gone from his mind IN rwinkling were
the worries OF accounts. the collection
OF bills, the losses of rainy days and the
hundred and ono other minor details
which are in the everyday experience OF
the average profe ssional who is anxious
TO make good living. In return the
club is enabled to arrange prices IL there
is no desire to make substantial profit.
so that the members will Lay only so
much for their merchandise or work as
will enable the committee IN charge to
pay the salaries of the professional and
the other helper or helpers in the shops.
The larger the club the greater the in
come and the lesser the prices. More
over, II there Is need OF the club making
a bit OF money from the shop the oppor-
tUnity is presented and the prices paid
would be the usual with the members
henefiting In the general way. The ar
rangement at first sight seems feasible
and equitable.
What are the responses made by the
professional who does not fancy the
scheme?
Against Proposed Change.
From time immemorial. he says, 1;
has been the custom OF tho profession 4,
golfer to have entire personal charge
OF the sale of clubs, balls. club clean
ing, &c. besides obtaining receipts from
lessons and definite salary from the
club in payment on the standard of skill
and experience. To change this tam
peri with professional privilege of long
standing.
No pro. We insists. can give his best
efforts In the matter Of club selection,
teaching or selling when he is doing this
for 4 second party: that Is human ma
ture. The independence of the profess
sional would be much curtailed and he
would feel that every one in the club
was his boss. with direct responsibility
20 committee gone. Reduced prices
for merchandise would tend in the fu-
ture to reduce the salaries Of the pro-
fession.
Criticism OF the pro would be more
rampant: changes would be more fire.
quent. II the club made money there
always would he in the mind of the
pro d dissatisfied feeling which would
not rebound TO the benefit OF the club
member in the right sort OF service. Tn
less excellent salaries We're paid the best
golfers the cracks would go into some
otehr line OF work, thereby dulling for
u while the interest In the game
So much for the pros side. and we ad-
NIT that there are other arguments fully
as potent as those mentioned. on the
other hand here are few remarks OF
a golfer well posted in the new turn OF
affairs.
The job OF professional is worth but
$4,000. $4,000 or $4,000 a season 1t
all depends upon the club and the players
class in skill and experience, principally
the latter. There are few good reasons
why money should be taken from the
members pockets and given to the pro-
fessional IN excess Of what he Is worth.
The extra profits might we'll be divided
among the members themselves, who as
It Is pay for everything from dues to
improvements with the consequent as
sessments. sc.