The New York herald., 1920-12-06
NEW GOLF BODY
DEFINES AMATEUR
Would Allow Player Expenses
'Under Special Circumstances
Without Forfeiting Status.
BY KERR n. rETnIE.

BY KERR N. PETRIE.
That there Is something more thar
bluff behid the threat OF the Western
Golf Association is proved conclusiyely
by the appearance In this district of the
| proposed constitution and bylaws OF
the American Golf Association" The
directors Of the former body are quite
candid, for in the notice of their annual
meeting, which is to be held January
Is, at-the Congress Hotel Chicago. they
state that they believe there should
exist real National Golf Association
| to promote the best interests of the
game, for American golfers. irrespective
of foreign bodies which govern the play
| ing Of the game under conditions differ
ent from those existing In this coun-
| try"
Recognizing the need OF a truly demo-
cratic American organization, they say,
the adoption of the new constitution en-
closed with the notice of the meeting is
recommended. Finally the directors rec
commended that the name of the Western
Golf Association be changed to that OF
the American Golf Association" 1t Is
felt by the board that a careful Study
/ of the new constitution and bylaws can
not help but impress upon all the adj
Visibility of changing the present con-
stitution and by-laws in order that the
Western Golf Association may be placed
in q position properly TO regulate the
game of golf as played by Americans
under conditions existing In America"
While a general outline OF the scope
OF the proposed new association already
has been given there i5 much that IL
interesting in the draft OF the constitu-
| rion and bylaws. Under Section 2 OF
the latter dealing with championships II
Is set forth that each year a tournament
FOR the amateur championship of the as
ISOLATION shall be held over one OF the
designated championship courses anu
this tournament shall be known as the
American amateur championship" The
same applies to the women's title tour
ney These championship tournaments
shall be open to any amateur member
/ OF club affiliated with the new associa-
ton, in good standing, and to any player
who has been invited TO compete by the
board or directors
Tourney Open TO World.
1t is, however. in connection with the
open championship that the greatest de-
parture from tradition Is seen. for in
stead OF holding entries subject to its In
vitation and with other strings attached
the tournament Is to be open" to the
world. or course. this event Is to be
known as the American open champion
! ship"
1t is worthy OF note that in the United
States Golf Association championships
can tolSe place only on courses OF active
clubs, while for all three events--ama-
teur. women's and open--the u. $. q. "A.
also prescribes that. "only members OF
clubs belonging to this association, and
those entitled under the rules of any
ouch club to the use of the links. In whole
or In part, for period OF not less than
the entire current season, or foreigners
visiting this country who may be invited
by the executive committee. may COM
| pete"
In the American Association amateurs
of both sexes still require formal invi-
tation, Il would seem, but professional
more ado than notifying the secretary
that he intends to compete and paying
his entrance fee, which in all cases Is IS.
! While declaring itself strongly in IA
vor OF properly regulating the game oi
golf as played by Americans under con-
ditions existing In America, and there
fore showing itself opposed to following
the lead OF other countries or foreign goli
associations. the new organization. new
erthe,ess, Is strong fer the scheme OBJ
served by the Royal and Ancient in the
conduct of its championships whereby
certain courses take turns at holding the
| big events. Abroad this scheme goes by
the name of the ''rota.'' And 'rota" II
| is going to be here II the american Coli
Association" is to supplant the Y. s
| c.. A.
| There are many advocates OF the
''rota" idea in the East SO 1t is interest.
I ing 20 observe how the new Organization
plans to proceed. To begin with. the d.
I rectors or q committee appointed by
them are to inspect and select certain
courses suitable for playing the cham.
! pionshfps In different sections of the
country in proper relative proportion tt
4 the number of golf players contiguou,
thereto. These courses. SO selected, will
be known as the championship courses
and the various championships OF the as
sociation viii be held only on them.
Three Years Notice.
NO club is to be eligible for the selec
ton as championship course unless 4
| Is q member OF the association. TIL,
championships will rotate in such q man
ner that no club shall be called upon fol
the use OF its course oftener than Nv,
| years. The directors inteIfd to determin,
| the venue OF the championships In suci
manner that the geographical distribu
| ton of them may automatically rotat,
| from year 10 year g the various section
OF the country where championshi,
courses are located. No club will be re
quired TO give the use Of It's course 70
| u championship without a notice of a
least three years in advance.
Even allowing that the directors hav,
reserved the power to add or to decreas,
the rota OF championship courses from
time to time as they may deem advisable
II is doubtful is such a scheme as this 4
advisable In such vast golflng territor,
ms the United States presents. There 1
n great deal Of charm In visiting an un
tried course In a hitherto unexpiorc,
section OF the country, and there Is n,
4 gainsaying the fact that without tn,
! competition for the various events tn
4 annual meeting would soon become
4 humdrum affair indeed.
Definition OF an Amnfeur.