Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-10-22

Washington, D. c., Oct. 19.-How
public golf courses should be conducted
is a question about which national
conventions viii be held within the
next year or so If the game continues
to increase in popularity at the rate
shown during the present season. 1t
may even become a political issue, for
there is every evidence that the Amer
lean people are taking their golf serl-
ously as well as enthusiastically.
When a game claims devotees of
both sexes, of all ages, of all occupa-
tons and professions, and of every
financial condition from poverty to
affluence, it is a sport to be reckoned
with. And that is exactly what golf
does. Recently a Washington veteran
celebrated his eighty sixth birthday by
playing 81 holes. At the women's ma
tional amateur tournament at White
. Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, n
of the entrants and qualifiers was a
| g~ray-haired matron-a GRANDMOTHER
of sixty-three, who has played in every
championship for her sex that has
been held in this country. From the
middle west there comes the tale of
a lad of eleven who is playing IS holes
in the low eighties. The national open
championship was won by a former
caddy who has barely attained his
majority. while his most dangerous
competitor was a grandfather.
M~illionaires are constructing private
courses where, figuratively speaking.
every blade of grass will be barbered
and manicured daily. Boys from the
tenements are playing in vacant lots,
and in the streets when they can not
find vacant lots, and Young America
in his hero worship now seeks TO
emulate a Sarazen, an Evans, or a
Sweetser, as well as a Babe Ruth, q
Ty Cobb, or a Sisler.
Given a sufficient number of public
courses there is scarcely anyone who
can not play golf. provided, naturally,
the expense is held down a minimum,
and the experience in every municipal
ity during the last season or two lndi-
Gates that everyone wants to play,
whatever the number of available
courses may be. Moreover, the public
is becoming exacting as to the condl-
ton in which the courses are main
tanned and the rules or systems under
which they are conducted.
Reports From Thirty Cities
For the purpose of compiling data
from which conclusions might be
drawn as TO the best method or plan
of operating public links, the Wash
ington Newspaper Golf club. through
one Of its officials, James ID. Pres
ton. recently sent out questionnalres
TO some 30 cities throughout the
country. Information was sought as
TO the condition of the courses, fees
charged and facilities afforded play
ers. and the replies received TO date
indicate that there is little uniformity.
Courses are reported TO be good,
bad and indifferent, with only one
or two rated as excellent. Fees range
from nothing TO one dollar per round.
Facilities vary from none whatever
to commodious and well equipped club
houses. with showers, lockers, cafes,
supply shops and the service OF pro-
fessiopals as instructors, club makers,
eft cetera.
In most cities the idea seems to
prevail that the golf courses should
pay their own way. That is to say,
those who use them should pay fees
which in the aggregate will provide
a fund sufficient to meet all expenses
of maintenance and management. In
a few places a disposition is mani
tested to make money out OF the
! courses and the receipts go into the
general park lands. irrespective OF
expenditures on the links or the
amount OF tne lncOhlt' rum oniS
one city was it reported that politics
has entered into the management of
municipal golf courses. The first
guess as TO the name Of that city is
correct-New York.
Fees usually are fixed with the pur-
pose of placing the maximum tax upon
players who appear for q single or
an occasional round, for where as
much as IS cents or a dollar is charg-