New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-01
Pros and Cons Discuss
the Possible Changes;
Lesley Extolls Nature
By Ray Mccarthy

10y Nay Mccarthy
The United States Golf Association
Rules Committee, which is to go abroad
soon for a conference with the Royal
and Ancient Golf Club committee, spent
a nices pleasant afternoon yesterday at
Delmonico's listening to suggestions,
pro and con, on possible changes in
the rules. No vote was taken on any
question, but after the meeting it was
the general opinion the cons had won
easily.
Yesterdays was meeting in which
there was much coming, much banter
ing, promiscuous tossing about of
words; Nobody got hurt and even
though nothing definite was accom-
plished good afternoon was effectu-
ally killed: 1t was said the gathering
was for the purpose of learning the
sentiment of the American golfing
public regarding certain rules govern
ing principally the stymie, the lost ball
and the standardization of the ball.
:. While the golfers were out on the
INKS trying to stymie each other and
looking for lost balls, those who do
the trailing were in session talking of
means and ways of removing the OBJ
stacles. Some, it appeared, wanted the
game made easier, while others clam
ored TO let the game remain as it is
Makeup of Committee
The committee that will 90 abroad
1or the rules conference, composed of
q. Herbert Walker, of st. Louis, who
presided at yesterdays meeting: Fred
erick S. Wheeler and Howard f. Whit
ney, Of New York; J. T. Byers, Of Pitts
burgh, and Robert A. Gardner, of Chi
cago, were all present and had their
ears cooked for any startling sugges-
tlons as to how golf should be PLAYED
in this age of pep and jazz. But thew
only heard discussions that began in
the days of yore, with an occasional
burst of oratory on golf and its re-
latlon TO nature. For instance, K. II.
Lesley, of Philadelphia, donor of the
Lesley Cup, was one of the big hits
OF the matinee. Said he:
Golf, unlike baseball, cricket and
other games played on stercotypcd
fields, is sport of chance. Those who
play golf play it for an acquaintance
with nature. and when they go out to
commune with the sunshine, the mud
the sand and other clements thew
should not desire rules to overcome
nature"
Evidently Mr.. Lesley has never tried
his hand at African golf. He would
know that in the Scottish game, unlike
the other, the player has some chance,
but chat in trying TO keep pace with
the galloping dominos his chances
would not be worth a song, As for
communing with nature, this is done
mostly by the so-called buffers. who
must vent their spleen on poor Mother
Nature when they tread the links.
Discussing the stymie and its part in
the game most Of those present were
in favor Of abolishng it. A few, in
GLIDING Secretary Poeson Of the Metro
polltan Association, were for it, while
others advocated slight change in
the present ruling. J. F. Burke, repre-
sentlng the western Pennsylvania sec
ton, would have the stymie limited to
two feet. George Fotheringham sug-
sestcd u limitation of IS inches. The
others were either for or against it.
One Rule for Both
In regard to the lost ball, the ma
jority favored one rule to cover both
the lost ball and ball out of bounds.
AS for standardizing the golf ball, this
question drew forth multitude of di-
vcrsifed opinions. While most of those
IN attendance were in favor Of limiting
the flight Of the ball, they apparently
cared not for Standardization. How
ever, many feel that if the flight Of the
ball isn't limited somebody will come
along with a now make that will enable
one to get twice the distance he can
now get out of his best swing, with the
result that golf courses will have to be
altered and that instead of taking few
hours to go around. a whole day will be
required to make the 18-hole journey.
After a session lasting something
like two and half hours, the meet
ing was adjourned. The committee
sailed the best of the opinions in the
back of their craniums and will now
prepare to sail to distant England to
hear what our British neighbors have
to offer in the way of lettering the
sport.
The annual invitation golf tourna-
ment Of the Tuxedo Golf Club will be
held to-day and tomorrow. More than
forty players, including some of the
best in the country, will participate.
This tourney is one of the first. given
by country clubs in the North and is
attracting much enthusiasm, as it will
be the golfers first appearance this
season.
This meet is generally held later in
the season, but owing to the fact that
the club officials wished to avoid any
possible conflicts the event was moved
forward to this time. An eighteen
hole qualifying round will take place
to- day and match play will follow to-
morrow.
Among those who will compete are
j. G. Parrish jr., of Shnnecock; John
n. Stearns, of Nassau; j. lnsley Blair,
Of the National Links, W, R. Simons,
Of Garden City; j. K. Belts and c. S.
Lee, of the Tuxedo Club.
'To1,<Ifor To Re- sp,,,;,,