Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-11-25
DANGER OF COMMERCIAL
IZING GOLF In AMERICA
Interest in Game ResponsibIe
Daily Letter by Frederic }. Haskin

Interest in Game Responsible
The committee says that it is
aware of the keen desire Of the
ordinary golfer throughout the
country to witness the performance
of the leading professionals, and
assumes that the growing interest
in the game is partly responsible for
the money inducements offered in
the open competitions. This prac-
tice cannot be continued without q
protest from those who have the
best interests of the game at heart.
at is therefore earnestly request
ed" concludes the committees
statement, that member clubs and
sectional associations give this mat
ter their earnest consideration and
in the future when contemplating
the staging of such tournaments,
that the question of moderate prize
money awards be carefully consid-
cred, bearing in mind that if this
pastime is allowed to be CONNER
cialized by the professionals, as in
other sports, the phenomenal inter-
est now taken by the ordinary golf
er in the game will be nullified to a
great extent"
DR.. Walter s. Harlan, dean of
Washington golfers and a former
U. S. G. A. official. feels very keenly
on this subject. He sees in the
commercializing tendency a real
menace to golf.
!, ut is a bad thing for the game"
said DR.. Harlan when the U. S. G..
| A. bulletin was received in this city.
land in the long run it will prove
to be a bad thing for the profession
ais themselves. Anyone can under
stand why the big money prizes ap-
peal to the men who make a. bust
ness of golf. Naturally they want
to make all the money they can
legitimately, and playing for cash
prizes is one of the legitimate
phases of their business.
However, that should never be
permitted to become their chief
source or hope of income. Golf
needs teaching professionals rather
than playing professionals, and
when the money rewards for COM
petitions become unduly large it is
will neglect their chief function,
which Is to instruct and assist those
who maintain our golf clubs, and
devote themselves primarily to
transforming the country.
81 know of instances of profess
SIGNALS who won big championships
and then went into the tournament
and exhibition playing to such an
extent that they were not at their
home clubs than two or three
weeks out Of the year. That sort of
thing is not fair to the members of
those clubs who have a right to ex-
pect to get instruction whenever
they want it from the professional
to whom they are paying a big
salary. Moreover, IN a short time
such professionals lose their pro-
1ciency as instructors"
Another side of the problem OF
commercializing golf is seen in the
charging for admission to the big
tournaments and exhibitions. This
was done in several instances dur
ing the a just closing. and II
has resulted in much criticism.
Primarily the object in charging
an admission fee was not to make
money, but to limit the gallery that
inevitably overruns a purse when
ever and wherever a big contest is
on. However, as it has worked Out
1t has created funds not needed for
the maintenance of the sport, and
it has not restricted the number OF
spectators.
Golfng authorities, accordingly
are coming to the conclusion that
this practice Is fundamentally
wrong, and that the thing to do is
to limit attendance at tournaments
to the members of the clubs where
they are held and to the fortunate
few who can secure guest cards
from members.
Golf is a sport, it is insisted, that
should develop players rather thar
spectators and encourage amateurs
rather than professionals.