Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-11-25
DANGER OF CoMMERCIALIZING GOLF

the same. And u is that sort of tnin9
that led the executive committee -
the 4. y. g. a. TO declare that u nae
watched with misgivings the practios
OF Offering unusually large purses in'
dulged In by member clubs and sec
tiOnal associations for b purpose ~
inducing golf professionals 20 compete
In open tournaments and exhibirons
Interest In Game Partly R~csponsibie
The committee say that II r. awars
81 the keen desire OF the ordinary
golfer throughout the country 90 wit
ness the performance of Dhc LEADING
professionals. and assumes that Tho
growing Interest In the game IL part.
~ responsible for the money induce
ments offered In the open c0npeti.
tions. This practice cannot ~ con-
tinued without n protest from thost
who have the best interests Of tns
game ~ heart
1T Is therefore earnestly requested
concludes the committees statement
that member clubs and sectional az.
sociatic.g giss his matter theft
earnest CONFEDERATION and In the "a
ture when contemplating the staging
Of such tournaments. that the qucr-
ton a moderate prize money awards
be carefully considered bearing n
mind that n this paqtime ig sIioyei
% be cOmmerclalized by tho profess
SIGNALS. az in other sports. the pho.
nomenal interest now taken by ne
ordinary golfer IN tho game VIII q
nuiiifed 10 a great extent"
DR.. Walter s. Harlan. dean a
Washington golfers and % former ~
8. G.. a. official. feels very keenly n,
this subject. He sees in the com.
m~ercializing tendency a real meuacs
20 golf.
1T r. a had thing Tor The g%arne.'
said Dr. Harlan when the r. s e 4
bulletin was received en- this c.fv,
and in the long run So viii lrove q
be a had thing for the professionals
Themselves. Anyone ran und~rstani
why the big money prizes appeal o
the men who make a business a
Z golf. Naturally they want 20 make
all the money they can legitimately,
! and playing FOR can prizes T. one q
/, the legitimate phases Of their business.
= However. that should never e
= 4fN NNNNNNfA ~ N|LINNN+ .NNENN HNNEN FHNIf =
: or hope Of income. Coli needs teach.
ing professionals rather tnan playins
profe ssionals. and when he mOne7
{ rewards for competitions become IN
Z duly large % D. inevitable that tbs
professionals wifi neglect their chle.
functions. which j. % Instruct and as-
sist those who maintain our zoi,
clubs. and devote themselves pri.
= msrlIy 70 transforming the country.
. I know Of instances % profession.
y ais who won big championships and
? then went into the tournament and
exhibition playing 20 such an extern
= that they were rot a. their home clubs
a more than two or three weeks out o
. the year. That sort Of thing - no.
q fair 20 the members % those club.
{ Who have a right 70 rpect 20 get ln
{ struction whenever they waux 70 from
the professional 70 whom They ar,
q paying a big salary. Moreover. IN
4 short time such professionals ios
v their proficiency as Instructors" 4
o Another side OF n problem
commerciallzing golf - seen in 2
i. charging for admission 20 the bi
a tournaments and exhibitions. Tn.
was done in several instances durin
n the season just closing. and il IA
4, resulted in much criticism.
m Primarily the object N charging a
admission fee was 20 make none,
70 but TO limit the gallery that IN
evitably Overrgns a course wheneve
IA and wherever a big contest = OF
"A However, a. IL has worked out 4 ha
~ created funds not needed FOR n
maintenance OF the sport. and Il IA
M not restricted the number OF spec
i. tatorr.
e. Golhns authorities. accordingly, az
=. coming 10 the conclusion that n.
ly practice - fundamentally wrong. an
- that the thing 20 do Is 70 limit a
h tendance at tournaments 70 the men
bers OF the clubs where they are h.I
he and 10 the fortunate few VINO can :.
cure guest cards from members.
ne Golf Is a sport. il - INFESTED. IN,
ed should develop players -ather ina
IN spectators and encounsss amateu,
,ly rather han professionals.