The New York herald., 1922-02-26
British Champion Of Links
Would Qualify Only Four
Players.
WANTS 3 MEDAL ROUNDS
Ladies Golf Union Decides for
Scheme Modelled on Amer
lean Lines.
BY JOHN C. ANDERSON.

What a scheme that Is which Miss
Cecil Leitch has presented to the golfers
OF Great Britain, with particular refer
ence to the ladies' championship. The
idea is to have a championship which
will embody two different kinds of play
match and m edal. with each in almost
equal division. Three days would be
given up to an 1s hole round at medal
play and then the four lowest scoring
golfers would play off at SO holes for
the title of woman champion of Great
Britain. One wonders why a round
robin wasn't thought of to round up
the weeks festivities, with the golfer
finishing the most holes up in the COM
bined matches taking the first prize
This new proposal has its adherents
AT that, although the executive commit
tee does not go so far. These good ladies
agree that two rounds of medal play
shall suffice and then that the Is hole
match play rounds shall take place be-
tween the thirty-two qualifiers with the
final at 36 holes. This is saner and will
be adopted. we feel sure.
One argument which has always been
used in connection with changes has
been the need for greater surety in the
worth of champions. To make certain
that the right man or woman wins the
title sounds plausible enough, but when
one glances over the list of winners OF
the Iarious titular events he is struck
at once by the fact that every player
BIS been a worthy holder The names
Of Ball and Hilton have been fianked by
q sc0re of others who have made names
for themselves in Journeys other than
the championship proper. 1t has been
the same with the women players. and
for Miss Leitch herself to put forward
this argument when she is admitted to
be the finest feminine exponent In the
world. with numerous successes to her
credit. seems idle, to say the least.
American Women Might Follow.
The international features Of such
moves are more than loosely connected,
which is our interest in particular in
the matter. There may come year
or two when America will not be rep
resented by large delegation In the
British women's event. But we have
been assured that there will be a return
TO our shores of several women stars
who will seek to repay the compliment
OF their visitors in previous tourneyS
and until such time as 1t seems wise TO
send over again a squad of American
players. And II the British golfers
tried out and possibly liked the new
scheme as outlined the women of this
country might follow along.
Tt has ever been a point at issue
whether match or medal play was the
best test over given period and few
dJubt that medal play has the call. Why
s. it necessary then for two kinds of
golf to be tried II the opinion is unani-
NOUS, or almost so, regarding medal
play eXactness? The reason is strong
enough and should always be consid-
cred as a prime excuse for voting down
any change of amateur play which
leans toward medal activity.
II has always been the amateur test
g. have individual meet individual In
hole by hole play This has been a
distinguishing feature of champion
ehip amateur golf as away from the
professional end where every mans
hand is lifted against his neighbor.
The system is followed out each week.
Rarely if ever do two or more amateurs
step up on the tee and plan for a
medal play round. At once all the
pleasure seems to fade out of the game
because the thought OF a single bad
hole forming a sure process of elimina-
fion pops up in the mind and shades
fhe pleasures anticipated.
But with The pros that very necessity
Cor continued excellence is the test of
fcrm and general superiority. They go
out ,o equal or beat cetrain score and
they wager accordingly. For them al
VS. there is in the background the ne
ccssty Of great achievement in recovery
nrter a poor shot. in the holing of all
putts. no matter how short in the test
OF straightness from tee to cup. The
amateur with his start OF 3, s, s. Sc
cures however. the same pleasure from
his competitive game as does the pro
from a start OF 4, (, 4. 3. One is even up
with his opponent while the other is even
mn Nj mar