The New York herald., 1921-01-11
INTEREST WANES
IN GOLF MEETING
War Clouds Pass With State
ment That w. G. A. VIII
Remain Sectional"
by KERR n. PETRIE.

Only 4 few short weeks ago ii seemed
that no power on earth could prevent
the Western Golf Association from
starting It's battle with the United
States Golf Association for the control
of golf in this country. Had every
thing gone through as originally in
tended the step changing the name of
the w. G. A. to the American Golf
Association, with all its dire conse-
quences, would have been taken at the
annual meeting to be held In Chicago
the end OF this week. More than once
before the w. c. A. has threatened to
start war that did not get beyond the
talking stage. Now 1t is known for
certain that there will be no more
trouble this time than there was be-
fore and that instead of being ses-
sion at which fire will be eaten and
gunpowder burned the coming meeting
Of the w. G. A. will be entirely de-
void of excitement.
George H. Walker of st. Louis, the
retiring president, gave the first hint
that all differences had been smoothed
out when he stated at the annual meet
Ing of the United States Golf Associa-
ton, held last Friday night at the Wal
dorf-Astoria. that "a certain sectional
golf association which had threatened
to make contest for authority with
the national body had decided to re-
main sectional" Mr.. Walker did not
mention the w G. A., but there was
no doubt in the mind of any delegate
that his reference was to that once
militant organization.
It would not be fair to say that the
smile is all on the side of the U. ;.
G. A. The Western body had gone SO
far that II could not back out with
good grace unless 1t had received as
surances from the parent organizations
that many Of the points on which IL
based it's criticism would be met MT.
Walker gave an inkling of what Is In
the wind when he stated that the
u. S. G.. A. is ready to adopt the plan
for one class of membership If ma
jority of the clubs show that they want
it. while the addition of four members
to the executive committee is admittedly
another sop to the West.
Likely to Vote for Change.
II will be interesting to find just how
the clubs view this question of mem
bership but from what has been heard
recently there it should not be difficult
TO get the 81 per cent. to declare itself
for the one class. AS Ii stands now
only active clubs have the voting privi-
lege and only active clubs can stage
one of the three championships. and
this despite Article H. OF the constitu-
ton of the y. s. c. A., which says that
this association has been formed and
exists for the purpose of promoting and
conserving throughout the United States
the best interests and the true spirit
of the game of golf as embodied In Its
ancient and honorable traditions"
Among the clubs holding allied mem
bership in the L. S. @. A. and therefore
precluded by the constitution from even
bidding for the championships are Canoe
Brook, Inwood, Dunwoode and Mont
clair. to mention only few that come
to mind Of the metropolitan organiza-
tions.
According to the constitution, ANY
regularly organized club Of good repu-
tstion in the United States shall be
eligible to election as an allied member,
while .'any regularly organized club in
the United States supporting and main
tanning a golf course Of at least nine
holes. and whose reputation and general
policy are In accord with the best tradi-
tions and the high ideals OF the game,
shall be eligible to election as an active
member" AS every golf club must have
at least nine holes before 1t would think
of Joining an association. II Is obvious
that tho fine line between active and
allied membership must be drawn on the
small question of $40. or else beca use, In
tho opinion of the powers that be, the
club is not one OF those whose reputa-
ton and general policy are In accord
with the best traditions and high ideals
of the game.