Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-23
P. G.A.'SACT|WTIES
WILL Be EXPANDED
New Dictator Has Had Long
Service With Western
Links Organization.
BY BASIL G. WYRICK,

has It's commissioner. The
movie has It's general director,
and row comes the golf dictator.
Albert R. Gates Of Chicago, long
leader n ofacial golhng circles, To-Day
was made administrator Of golf by TIE
Professional Golfers Association, an or
sanitation Of 1902 leading golf In
Structors who govern the play on nearly
half Of the S,64o clubs in the United
states. THE organization under the
administration Of GGtes plans to enroll
all the 3,ISS professional golfers N the
country and to seek voice IN all az
fairs Of the game.
, Commissioner Gates and his cohorts,
far from planning any revolt frore the
constituted authorities Of golf, such as
the United States Coli Association, Will
work hand In glove with those bodies
In keeping the game clean and sports
manlike.
Headed Western Body.
The new arbiter has the Qualihca-
tons gained In heading the Western
Golf Association four times as presi-
1921 and 1922, as well IS being secre-
tary In 1905. He has been a prominent
lawyer for many years and Is now
director in three banks. He was presi-
dent Of Calumet Country Club Is years
ago, but is now connected with Skokie
Country Club, on whose links Gene
Sarazen won the national open title
several years ago.
while head Of the W. q. A. Gates
often found himself in opposition in a
friendly way with the United States
(AvR I'D HasS& -
ideas he fought for were later adopted
by the national body and one Of them
recently by Great Britain. This was
authorization Of steel shafts for golf
clubs. When the metal shafts were first
produced the u. 8. q. A. and st. An
drews turned thumbs down on them,
declaring them mechanical aids.
Tested Out Steel Shafts.
But Gates said he would ind out
before condemning the innovation. SO
w. q. A. took Bob Macdonald, Jock
Hutchinson, Chick Evans and a few
other expert golfers to Edgewater Club
and had them drive several balls with
both hickory and steel shafts. The re-
suits convinced President Gates and
members Of the executive committee
that the steel shafts were not going
to produce good shots from poor swings,
and they were admitted to tournament
play. Later the u. 8. q. A. accepted
the metal shafts and more recently
the British removed the ban.
Queeriy enough, the metal shafts
were opposed at first by the profess
S1On4lS, who have now chosen Gates
Is their dictator. They felt that part
Of their professional work would be
supplanted by using metal shafts, but
1t did not turn out that way, as they
were able to sell just as many clubs
Many professionals and such amateur
stars as Bobby Jones still prefer hickory
sticks for feel and distance.
The Professional Golfers Association
has been progressing for many years,
especially Of late under the presidency
OF Alex Pirie Of Old Elm Club, Chicago.
Since the day when Andrew Carnegie
had to import professional from Scot
land to get tutelage In the game Of his
Iatnerland, clubs have sprung up every
where and the ranks Of the tutors have
increased.
Pros Standing Advanced.
Likewise, the standing Of the profess
S1onal has advanced since there was
an open revolt at Midlothian Club dur
ing the national open tourney Of 1914
agatSt treating the ciubmakers like
12ckeyS and barring them from the
cub house. an old English custom.
NOW the professional has thu same
standing with his clients, pupils In golf
ana purchasers Of golf supplies, as has
any other nieTchand1Ser OF knowledge
OF goods. His opinion Is sought on
virtually all subjects BY oflcerS Of the
club and his social status Is equal to
that Of any member.
The total business Of professional In
golf accessories alone IS estimated to
oe $!2,OOO,OO0 annually in addition to
IeeS Tor teaching. This amount includes
only so per cent Of the total sales, IS
department stores and others sell vast
quantities Of links goods. The profess
SIGNALS, however, get about IS per cent
OF the better trade, rs members of the
private clubs buy largely from their
golf maestro.
Plans to Broaden Activities.
Under the administration of Mr..
Gates, the P. @. A. plans to broaden
It's activities, giving each member
greater assistance, including a thou
Sand-dollar insurance policy and large
discounts on supplies. The increased
cost OF membership will be more than
onset IN cash BENEFITS brought about
by the organization, President Pirie
ano treasurer Jack Mack1e Of New
York assert.
A benevolent fund Is to be established
ana neld representatives are to be used
TO help the individual professions in
their problems Of increasing business
and gaining better positions. Plans for
the p. @. A. championship will be
oroadened and the super-proS, who de-
vote themselves largely to exhibition
play, VIII be drafted to aid the younger
professionals In several ways.