The New York herald., 1920-12-03
Metropolitan Linksmen Call
Attempt to Supplant Z. s.
G. A. a Blunder.
BY KERR \. PETRIE.

While there is nothing 10 prevent the
Western Golf Association from changing
It's name so as TO give 1t some appear
ance of national scope il is going to have
a hard time trying to convince golfdom
that its destiny Is TO supplant the United
States Golf Association unless all signs
fail. Now that they have had time 10
finally digest the report emanating from
Chicago to the effect that the w. G. A.
Will make a contest for authority In the
golf world with the present governing
body there Is only one conclusion to be
drawn, according to the golfers OF the
metropolitan section, and that is that
some one has blundered.
Reports from all the prominent golfing
centres are to the effect that sentiment
has crystallized against any attempt to
set up what purports to be another rul-
ing body and that to any such scheme
the best elements are certain to show
solid front The comment heard on
every side Is that while anything that
will add weight to the constructive side
of the sport Is to be welcomed, the West
ern challenge looks too much like an
open attempt to cause disruption TO be
classed as such.
Those who are behind the movement
to launch the new golf association are
loud in their condemnation of the meth
Ods OF tne Z. >. ". "A But Wnerc Is one
TO get a guarantee that the American
Golf Association will be able to please
everybody? AS one prominent eXecu-
tive of local organization points out,
all the 400 clubs in the United States
Golf Association can have a vote in the
affairs of the organization If they wish,
but the fact that only fraction OF the
entire number have voting powers is the
fault of none other tha the clubs them
selves.
Two Glasses of Membership.
THE difference between active and
allied membership Of the United States
Golf Association is measured in a few
dollars" he says "the one class calling
for annual dues of something like $50
and the other Of, say. SIS. To golf
club the former sum is not a great deal
of money but it seems nevertheless that
this practically infinitesimal monetary
obstacle has been responsible for the
great majority of clubs deciding to fore
go the privilege of voting. If clubs OBJ
ject to having to pay the higher figure
they should get together and petition the
L. S. G. A. to make change. For in
stance, a suggestion might be offered
that instead of having the two classes OF
membership the national body in the
future should get along with only one
class at, say $25. This would then mean
that every member club would have a
vote. or at least every club save the few
that do not have their own courses such
for instance as those that play over
public links
This authority suggested that clubs
that feel that this would be better
method than that now in vogue should
prepare to take action at the next annual
meeting of the u. S. G.. A. which is to
be held at the Waldorf on Friday. jan
uary 7. Meantime they should take
whatever steps are necessary, such as
notifying w. D. Vanderpool the sec
retary. of their intention.
Another point worth bringing out at
this juncture is that while only dele
gates are allowed to vote every MEM
Der of any club can attend the meeting
for the purpose of airing his views. Any
one who has anything to say Is assured
of a hearing. He can ask no more than
that. After that IL lies with himself
whether or not he is 10 influence the
meeting.
As for the rules golfers do not see
why II should take new organization
to effect necessary improvements. or