New-York tribune., 1920-12-01
Western Body
Plans Invasion
OF the Z a $ t
"Real National Association''
Sought i'll New Constitu-
ton To Be Presented
at the Next Meeting

CHICAGO, Nov. SO.-A war for su-
premscy in the control OF golf in
America is promised by the proposal
s,n, out to-day by the directors of the
Western Golf Association for the
abortion Of new constitution and
bv-laws 8. the coming annual meeting
on January Is. changing the name to
the American Golf Association "to act
as the authoritative administrative
body for making and inforcine the
rules fer THE playing OF golf in the
JniteA States.
Heretofore the Western Association
has limited its membership to clubs
west o. a line just east of PITTSBURGH
Buffalo and Atlanta. but the new CON
stitution provides for invasion of the
East, which has been solely under the
United States Golf Association, which
has been recognized as the authority
in American golf.
TIE Western organization has
grown to include nearly 500 clubs as
members. while the United States Golf
Association has nearly 400 members.
Of which about & fourth src active and
voting. OF these active members
nearly fifty are in Western association
territory. but leaders in the Western
association have frequently charged
that the United States Golf Associa-
ton is largely controlled in the East.
Covert Threats Made
There have been covert threats of a
golf war for several years. and one
was on the verge of breaking out
when the World War came on and
stopped it. With golf back to a peace
time basis, the directors Of the West
ern association say they are now ready
to so ahead with a new national body.
which, as described in the const;tu
ton submitted for approval. "would
make and enforce 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 approved, according
to the notice sent out by the board Of
directors, would be tie Americaniza-
tion OF the rules. which are at pres
ent. they assert. conflicting. unwieldv
ard often not practical for American
links. which DO not possess some of
the characteri sites OF Scotch and Brit
ish courses. Tor which the laws of the
game were primarily framed
The recomme endation of the direc-
tors in this regard says the directors
Of the Western Golf Association. be-
l;eving there should exist d real ma
tional golf association, to promote the
best interests OF the game for Ameri-
can golfers. irres speccive OF foreign
bodies. which govern the playing of
the game under conditions different
from those existing in this country.
democratic american organization.
recommend the adoption OF the new
constitution and the changing Of the
name CT this association to that OF
the American Golf Association"
American Golfers Muzzled
In making public the proposal for
the new golf association, Crafts ".
Higgins. assistant secretary SAID Amer
ican golfers had been muz@led both
b. tradition and the oligarch ical meth
could exist under such conditions. sub
mi.ting TO the dicration OF the few.
1T will be contended by many that
it is not good for the game in this
country to have two associations strug-
Cling Tor national supremacy, but con-
slant efforts for more than eighteen
years have demonstrated that there is
no nope Of getting the powers which
control the United States Golf Associa-
ton 70 change is form Of government
SO as to give al clubs the right to
vote"
The draft Of the constitution pro-
posed for the new golf body places the
government in the hands Of nine d.
recto-s. including the president, vice
president and secretary ytreasurer, to
ka o'o-
states. This scattering OF directors was
said % be for the purpose OF avoiding
Capitalization Of power, and the consti-
tuition also provides that each state and
sectional association shall have the
rigat TO nominate its own candidates
for places on the board.
The proposed constitution also pro
vides for the appointment Of d rules
Committee of five members from five
different states, 40 be selected for
their knowledge Of golf,' to prepare
and submit code of rules Equitable to
meet the conditions and needs Of the
game in the United States" 1t is also
provided that "on all questions Of the
Interpretations Of the rules the com
nit.ec shall be the anal auth oritv."
An innovation in the selection Of
champ mpionsnip course is also proposed
Tor the staging Of the "Amcrican ANA
teur championship, the womcn's Ameri-
can championship" open to any ANA
teur member Of & club in this associa-
ton ard 10 sny player who has been
inTlted 70 compete, and the American
opsa championship, open to the world.
Iae courses for such tournaments
sre 70 DC selected BY q committee in
d;Aereat sections Of the country 'in
proper relative proportion to the num-
Der of golt players contiguous thcreto.'