The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-15
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 e6REE &
FOUNDERS OF GOLF
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we nave heard much Of the great players of golf, which of course is ! natural and proper. but we think too seldom of the men behind these men. Back of every great organization are hidden forces-usually men of strong personality engaged in a labor of love. Golf is the proud possessor of legion of such supporters. They are the men who have made possible the great progress of the game. To- day I should like to introduce you to few Of these men. Youll be a better golfer for knowing them. One of the real needs of America right now, from the golf point of view, Is more George W. Adairs, more Jesse Cartons, more George Crumps and Ellis Gimbels; more and Silas Strawn, Alexander H. Reyell and Robert Mckinley of Chicago.
 Help to Game
 These men were among the great helpers of the eNme when the game needed all the help available. They were active In promoting clubs. After they got the clubs promoted they supported them in royal measure. They contributed to golf the enthu- siasm which was equally important with the sports natural attractive ness in enabling 1t to obtain it's first footings in the extraordinary popu- larity it has since attained.
 Jesse Carleton of St. Louis, recently died, and in his passing a real cham pion fell from the ranks. He was a champion enthusiast and he left a place for himself in the history of golf in America as definitely. I think, as if he had won an amateur titular honor.
 A Great Personality
 l would call Jesse Carleton one of the great personalities of golf in America And l so describe Harry Aver of Boston. Clarence Geist, George Crump and Ellis Gimbel of Philadelphia, George s. Lyon of To- ! ronto. A. s. Kerry and J. c. Ford of Seattle, "Bill" Fownes of Pittsburg, E. c. Tufts of Los Angeles, and oth- CTS of Chicago, New York and else where whose names I recall but must omit in this space.
 The point is that hundreds of the counterparts of these men have a great opportunity to accomplish in smaller cities and towns throughout the country what these enthusiasts did in the larger centers. One of the most encouraging aspects of the sport at present is Its growth in cit ies of 5000 population, or less. There is just as much opportunity for en- thusiasm and constructive helpful ness in this respect in the small town as ever there was in the big city. perhaps more. My good friend, Billy Sunday, once remarked to me that nearly all the champlons. whatever the field, can be traced back to nick town beginnings somewhere if you look under their crowns"
 Never Can Tell
 AS in all other sports, nobody can ever tell where the youthful 'phe- nom" may spring from. The cham pion five years hence may come from some unheard of vilpge, whereas | the champions up to the present have been city products. The development of the game in big cities first Is re- sponsible for this, though in Jesse Guilford we have today a champion whose game really was started in a small New England 9owN. Golfs greatest development will begin when boys and girls take it up as they now 1 play at baseball, marbles and hoop rolling-and I hope to see. the day when. if I shall still be contendins 1 for championship honors, the annual 1 competition for the highest honors will have to be played off sectionally | because of the vast numbers of play l CTS contesting.
 ] | look forward to the time in a few years when "the man who at din- ! towns and cities throughout the country will be introduced with pride as the man who with his enthusiasm and love for sport created and pushed to success "our local country club" What may happen afpr thSt-well. | George W. Adair of Atlanta. had op- portunity to extend helping hand to his son. Perry Adair, to the boy | wonder, Bobby Jones, and to the woman star and champion, Alexa Stirling. He must be remembered as one of Sunny .)ixie's finest contribu- tions to golf.
 So let's have more of these enthu- Ts..sts. Let them start with only a pasture, a bunker course and a shed for a clubhouse. If necessary, so long as they get started. They can depend upon the thrill of the sport to make the tee off of their efforts wonder fully successful with the passing of lthe years. All golf needs. anywhere, is a starter.
 Copyright. John F. Dille Co.)
 INTERPRETING