The New York herald., 1922-01-16
]. Frederic Byers Predicts a
Solution Of the Question
After w. G. A. Meeting.
Special Dispatch to THE Nnw Yo.x HERALD.

Special Dispatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
CHICAGO, Jan. 15.--The one question
OF fundamental Importance as to whether
the United States and Western Golf
Associations join with st. Andrews in
one code Of rules for the golfers of the
world, which was expected to be de-
cided yesterday at the annual meeting
OF the United States Golf Association,
was not even mentioned.
The meeting was colorless as far as
taking any action on the rules was con-
cerned. The stymie, the ribbed club,
penalties for out of bounds and lost
balls. about which the general public
has been hearing so much lately. were
not even discussed informally by the
visiting delegates.
The only official recognition In regard
to the establishment or official rules to
govern the game wherever played was
made by President ]. Frederic Byers
after the meeting was over. Mr.. Byers
stated that no action would be taken
until after the annual meeting of the
Western Golf Association on Saturday.
President Byers asserted that a greater
spirit of harmony between the u. s. G..
A. and the sectional organizations now
prevailed and that there was every in
dication that solution of differences Of
Mr.. Byers also intimated that he
points of contention among the various
golf associations.
The association also voted President
Warren g. Harding q member Of the
executive committee during his tenure Of
ofIico at Washington.
The report of the executive COM
mittee showed a total membership OF
533 clubs. of which 202 are active and
331 allied Twentyfour clubs were
elected to active membership and 39 to
allied membership, making a total of
GO new clubs for the year. The highest
number In any previous year was IL.
The executive committee this year will
orlk out a plan for having membership
in the association and in the green's
section covered by one fee.
Another matter of interest to players
was the recommendation made b7 James
ID. Standish. chairman of the eligibility
committee, that the plan OF permitting a
player to submit three certified scores be
abolished. In future no player will be
allowed to compete in the national ama-
teur championship unless recommended
by the association of which he Is men,
ber
While not wishing to discourage any
one who has a chance from entering the
championship, and while particularly de-
sirous of encouraging young players, the
committee feels that in justice to the
bes. players the field must be reduced
The report of the tournament COM
mittee Indicated that the preliminary
qualifying round in the amateur cham
pionship at st. Louis, while relieving
congestion. was not satisfactory, being
burden on the players and on the club
holding the event. If the field this year
can be reduced to under 100, the prelim-
mary round at eighteen holes will be
abolished.
If the field in the open event continues
as large as in the two preceding years
probably will be necessary to extend
the time of the tournament
The first annual session Of the greens
committee, which began in the morning
and continued in the afternoon, was
largely attended and developed much in
terest. The keynote of the two sessions
was reducing the cost of golf.
Robert W. McKinlay. Cook county
commissioner and president of the Cook
County Municipal Golf Association. was
among the guests and speakers a. the
banquet, which clmaxed the meeting.
Mr.. McIxinlay made n strong plea for
-ecognition of the public course player
md urged the association to aid the
movement. IN which President Bycrs
lady acquiesced.
President Byers reported that the
executive committee had issued an or
der forbidding the giving away to anna
teurs of balls and clubs.
The announced reductions In the price
of clubs follows a 25 per cent. decrease
in the cost Of golf balls and was made
possible. Mr.. Curtis said, largely