The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-01
Suggest The
 Adoption OF
 A New Pact


 war for supremacy in the con- trol of golf in America is prom ised by the proposal sent out today by the directors of the Western Golf association for the adoption of new constitu- ton and bylaws at the coming annual meeting on January 15, changing the name to the American Golf association "to act as the authoritative admin istrative body for making and enforcing the rules for the playing of golf in the United States"
 Heretofore the western association has limited it's membership to clubs west of a line just east of Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Atlanta, but the new constitution provides for invasion of the east, which has been under the United States asso- citation which has been recognized as
 
 western organization has grown to in- clude nearly 300 clubs as members, while the United States Golf association has nearly 400 members of which about a fourth active and voting. lOf these active members, nearly fifty are in western association terri tory but leaders in the western associa- ton have frequently charged that the United States Golf association is largely controlled in the east.
 THREATS OF WAR
 There have been covert threats of a golf war for several years, and one was or the verge of breaking out when the World war came on and stopped 1t. With golf back to a peace-time basis, the dl- rectors of the western association say they are now ready to go ahead with Q new national body which, as described in the constitution submitted for approval i5"would make and enlurce the rules for the government and regulation of the game and act as the final authority in the determination of all matters pertain ing to the game of golf.
 One of the main objects of the new organization, if it is approved, according l. to the notice sent out by the board ct directors, would be the Americanization of the rules, which are at present, they assert, conflicting, unweildy and often not practical for American links, which do not possess some of the characteris- tics of Scotch and British courses for which the lows of the game were prim- arily framed.
 RECOMMENDATIONS
 The recommendation of the directors in the regard says "the directors of the Western Golf association, believing there should exist a real national golf asso- citation to promote the best interests or irra spective of foreign bodies which govern the playing of the game under condi- tions different from those existing in this country, and recognizing the need of a truly democratic American organiza- tion, recommend the adoption of the new constitution and the change of thd name of this association to that of the American Golf association.
 fn makine public the proposal for the new golf g ssociation, Crafts Whiggins, assietlut go .retary, said American golfers b7A aeen -nuzzled both by tradition and ae olicarcn'cal methods of government No otaer ert could exist under such conditions. submitting to the dictatiorl of the few.
 "It will be contended by many that it is not good for the game in this coun- try to have two associations struggling for national supremacy. But constant efforts for more than IS years have dem- CnStrated that there IS no hope or get ting the powers which control the United States Golf association to change it's form of government so as to give all clubs the right to vote"
 NINE DIRECTORS
 The draft of the constitution proposed for the new golf body places the gov ernment in the hands of nine directors, including the president vice president and the secretary treasurer to be selected from not fewer than seven states. This scattering of directors was said to be for the purpose of avoiding centraliza- i ton of power and the constitution pro- vided that each state and sectional government will have the right to nom- mate it's own candidates.
 The proposed constitution also provides for the appointment of rules commit tee of five members from five different states to be selected for their knowledge of golf ito prepare and submit code of rules suitable to meet the conditions States. It also provides that "on all questions of the interpretations of the 1 rules, the committee shall be the final decision.
 The innovation in the selection of cham pionship courses Is also proposed in the ! staging of an American amateur cham. pionship, the womens American cham i ,,ionship" open to any amateur member 1 of a club in this association and to any player who has been invited to compete ! and the American open champion, oper to the world.
 The courses for such tournaments ars