The New York herald., 1922-02-19

GOLFERS OF PUBLIC
LINKS TO ORGANIZE
AssOcia ton Will EndeavOr to
Improve Lot of Municipal
Course Players.

Several weeks ago while facing the
prospect OF an increase in the price of
the annual permits for the public links
il was suggested that by way Of look
ing after their own interests the MEM
bers of the various clubs using the
courses in the New York city parks
form a municipal golf association.
The machinery for such an organization
is now being set up and It, Is expected
that it will be found functioning per-
fectly by the time the Van Cortlandt.
Mosholu and Pelham links are opened
for the coming season.
At meeting held recently representa-
tives of five of the clubs using the
public courses. the Gun Hill. Manhat-
tan. New York Golf, New Yo''', News
paper and Scottish American, icc', the
preliminary steps, discussed plans and
perfected temporary organization
which will have charge until the formal
organization is taken up at a general
meeting OF members. The purpose be-
hind the movement is the idea of mu-
tual hepfulness in bringing about
needed improvements in conditions now
obtaining in the metropolitan district
and in the promotion of tournaments
and competitions for the golfers using
the public courses.
body long has been felt. This year the
necessity for some sort of protective
organization among the public links
golfers has been made even more ap-
parent by the raising of the price OF the
annual permits from S. to $40 with a
corresponding increase I'm the cost OF
lockers in the Van Cortlandt golf house
Golfers naturally feel incensed that
their sport should. be singled out as
~
deeply resentful of the increase in dues
especially since it has been shown that
there is a surplus remaining over from
last year Of almost SO per cent. OF the
revenue.
To the delegation thai waited upon
him at the time Park Commissioner
John p. Hennessy is reported to have
stated that his motive in advocating tne
increase was to eliminate the present
congestion on the various courses. The
present city charter, he explained. re-
uuired that all revenue derived from
privileges and concessions at the parks
go into the central sinking fund, and
for that reason he was able to offer no
promise that any of the increase would
be returned in the way Of upkeep and
improvements.
A number Of the city Aldermen have
interested themselves in the situation.
and at recent meeting of the board
Alderman ]. J. Friedman introduced a
resolution calling for the resembling of
the action OF the Park Commissioner.
1t received an adverse vote. but later
Alderman O'Rourke moved -reconsid-
Grafton and 1t was recommended that
the fee be reduced to S. again. What
effect the action will have remains 10
be seen. but regardless Of what may
follow the public golfers are deter
mined to go ahead with their organiza-
ton. The clubs which are behind the
Municipal Course Association have a
combined membership Of about 50o and
1t is believed that there are at least
10000 others who would be glad to CO.
operate in any movement that will
make for the betterment of the lot OF
the public links player.
1t has been decided to fix the annual
dues at the nominal sum of 81 per year
to cover the cost of printing. postage.
and so forth. Hiram Serine, the bonded
treasurer of the New York Newspaper
Golf Club, was appointed temporary
treasurer Golfers desiring to join arc
requested to send the amount OF the
dues to Mr.. Serine. IL Shipley street,
Woodhaven. l.. i. They will then re-
ceive membership cards and a circular
outlining the aims of the new organiza-
ton.