The New York herald., 1922-11-13
U. S. G. A. ASKS CLUBS
TOLIMIT PURSES
National Golf Body Urges Mod
crate Prize Money for PRO
Tournaments.
BY KERR N. PETRIE.

Professional golf will receive with
mixed feelings the request of the United
States Golf Association sent out to
clubs and sectional associations asking
that when open tournaments are being
arranged care be taken to see that the
purses offered are kept within the bounds
of reason. The action has been taken
1T the close Of a season In which de-
cided tendency has been noted toward IN
creasing the inducements for the experts,
The national body evidently feels that IL
clubs and associations are to be allowed
to enter upon an era of competition a
state of affairs VIII quickly be reached
wherein the stars will pass up lot OF
worthy tournaments and compete only
for those who offer them the big money.
From this II follows that the cham
pions soon would belong to a select
coterie which not only would outbid as
sociations and clubs but which also
might consider IT'S own high figure not
bit too much for the services rendered.
From this standpoint of the profess
sional expert theresis of course good
deal to be said. But the u. S. G.. A. evil
IDENTIFY is not Disposed to argue the ques-
tion from this angie. What il sees
strolling along the bunkered highway Is
something in the nature of menace to
the game, which, IL allowed to develop,
will soon result in throwing golf into the
category of a three ring circus. The q:
s. @. A. realizes that 1t is entrusted
with the supervision of sport founded
upon the highest and cleanest traditions.
Because the appeal of golf Is broadening
daily is no excuse for the game being al
lowed to become a pawn for the com
mercialized sporting interests. Hence
the appeal now being sent out TO elues
and sectional associations.
u. s. G.. A. Is Fair.
The u. S. G. A. does not object to the
professional resping the reward OF ms
expertness within reason. but 1t does feel,
and naturally, that IL the present prac-
tice is allowed to develop IL will not be
long before hideous form of CONNER
cialism has the game by the throat
Following is the notice which the U. 3.
G. A. is sending out to all It's members
"The executive committee has noticed
with some misgivings the practice of of
fering unusually large purses INDUCED
in by members and sectional associations
for the purpose of inducing golf pro-
fessionals to compete in open tourna-
ments and exhibitions.
.eWhiie the u. S. G. A. has no desire
TO hinder or hamper any professional
from competing in prize money tour
naments or from earning money TO the
limit OF his ability, nevertheless the
present officials feel that II the practice
now in vogue Is not checked great harm
will be done in creating a class or
professional players who will devote
their entire time and attention to at
tending tournaments.
Clubs to Consider Matter.
1T Is therefore earnestly requested
that member clubs and sectional asso-
Citations give this matter their earnest
consideration, and in the future when
contemplating the staging of such tour
nsments that the question of moderate
prize money awards be carefully con-
sidered.. bearing in mind that IL TINS
pastime Is allowed to be commercalized
by the professionals. as in other sports
the phenomenal interest now taken py
the ordinary. golfer in the game VIII De
nullihed 10 a large extent"
The Professional Golfers Association
announces that IL has made arrange
ments for a registration department Tor
golf professionals seeking new positions.
This department will have on file ara
available for distribution all necessary
information relative TO each profes-
sional registered The executive com
mittee of the United States Golf Asso-
ciation highly recommends this inroVa-
ton, and IL requests all memsLer Clubs
seeking the services Of competent
professional 10 communicate diTatt with
Ernest r. Anderson, secretary. Profss-
sional Golfers Association, 366 Fifth
avenue. New York city.