The New York herald., 1922-02-12
YANKEE GOLF PLANS 4
FIND FAVOR ABROAD
British Players of Both Sexes
Copying American Condi-
tiOns for Title Play.
BY KERR N. PETRIE.


in golf circles the other day at the report
from London that the British players OF
both sexes think so much of the condi-
tions under which the American cham
pionships are held that a movement al
ready Is under way to have something
OF the scheme Incorporated into the plans
made abroad for the coming title season
1t was recalled that several of the
American amateurs last year spoke
rather bluntly on the matter of the
championship at Hoylake. going so far
as to say that never again would they
play in the British blue ribbon event
as long as it was decided by eighteen
hole rounds. Bobby Jones' Chick Evans
Francis Ouimet and others stated that
they considered the thirty-six hole match
play idea the only sound championship
test.
But anxious as they are to have the
Americans visit them again this year II
need not be thought that this considera-
tion alone has swayed the linksmen OF
Britain to adopt at least modified form
of the American conditions. Advocates
Of the latter plan are to be found among
the stars of the British links, and it is
because of the insistent demand for a
revision of the British all match play. as
we'll as all eighteen hole round system
that there is now before the authorities
a plan for reform.
In Britain it Is the custom to put the
names Of all the entrants into a hat,
draw them out and start the champion
ship forthwith. allowing a certain num-
ber of byes in the first round so as to
have sixty-four players or half of or
double that number. as the case might
be. for the second Stanza of the tourna-
ment. In America not only are the
rounds at thirty-six holes but only
thirty-two players are allowed to become
eligible by medal play elimination for
the match play phase. Thirty-six holes
of qualifying are at least necessary,
while during the last year or two the
field has had to go through preliminary
griling of eighteen holes so as to bring
it down to sixty-four for the double
medal play stage
Players Have Been Canvassed.
Those behind the movement for re-
form of the British golf championship
conditions have been perfecting their
plans for the last month or more:
They have had prepared a petition and
circular which has been sent to all the
British players who took part in the
amateur championship of the last tWo
years. The American contestants were
not consulted, for the reason that they
were known to indorse the views ex-
pressed.
Altogether a total of o47 players were
canvassed by the petitioners for reform.
or the 14S who replied it has been found
that 129 favor the proposed changes
while only 10 opposed them. The data
thus accumulated is now ready for pre-
sentation to the championship commit
tee of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club
of ST. Andrews. No doubt is felt about
the outcome since the will of the cham
pionship entrants has been made so
plain.
While admittedly drastic for a cham
pionship which has endured for so many
years under the one round all match
play conditions II is fele that the COM
niittee will accede to the popular de-
mand, which is substantially for the
same conditions as now prevail in the
United States-namely. thirty-six holes
of qualifying with all match rounds
over thirty-six holes. Heretofore only
the later stages of the British cham
pionship have been decided over the
double round.
And, strangely enough, the women are
also agitating for longer matches in
the British championship and also for
the institution of a qualifying round
such as they have in the United States.
Miss Cecil Leitch. the British champion,
who played In the American women s
title event at Hollywood last fall. is
said to be promoting a new tourna-
ment plan.
There seems TO be an idea that the
Bristol champion a o. conditions
similar to those for which the men are
clamoring. This belief is strengthened
by the action Of the executive commit
tee of the union in framing an amend
ment to Miss Leith's plan asking for
two rounds of medal play on two sep
arate days. thirty-two players to quail
ify, each match to consist of one round
OF eighteen holes excepting the final.
which would be over thirty-six holes.
AS the final was at thirty-six holes last
year, the only new feature in the above
plan would be the qualifying round.
Want n Long PIay-Off.
In one important respect the scheme
outlined for the British women's cham
pionship differs from that employed In
the American blue ribbon event. When
the American women tic for the last
places in the thrty-two they play off
hole by hole, the high scorer or scorers
dropping out until the requisite number
has been obtained. But the British
women, III they tie, as they undoubtedly
will occasionally, intend to play off
over either nine or eighteen holes.
The British women golfers are said to
have remarked on the reception which
will be given to their ideas by the Amer
ican players. They feel that their plans
II they materialize. as they are most
certain to do. will meet with approval
on this side OF the Atlantic. Evidently
the British women have been consider
ing the wishes OF the Americans as
much as their own It Is very pretty
compliment they pay. too. inasmuch as
there has been no qualifying round in
British women's golf since the incep-
tion of the championship away back in
1898.
Yale-Harvard Tennis Team
Expects to Play in England