Evening star., 1942-01-11
-Four Big Crown
Golf Journeys
called Off !.
Clubs Urged to Give
Defense Bond, Stomp
Prizes to Amateurs
BY JUDSON BAILEY,


NEW YORK, Jan. 10.-The United
States Golf Association abandoned
all four Of its national Champion
ships today in order to focus its en-
tire attention on the Nations var
effort.
After cancelling its 1912 tourna-
ment program, the governing h'dy
OF golf Immediately went into acuon
in behalf of the Government, chang
ing the U. s. G. A. bylaws to permit
amateurs to receive up to s10C In
defense bonds and stamps as przes
instead of cups and trophies, PLAN
ming a nationwide series Of club
tournaments on holidays. and pro-
posing exhibition matches for war
relief and defense.
The sweeping action was the most
drastic regimentation for the sup
port Of the war any national sports
governing body has yet taken.
The 1912 championships cancelled
were:
National Open, June 1920. Inter-
lachen Country Club. Minneapolis.
National Amateur. September 7
IL, Del Monte Golf and Country
Club. Pebble Beach Course, Del
Monte, Calf.
Women's Amateur, September 21-
rs. Southern Hills Country Club,
Tulsa. Okla.
National Public Links. July 27-
August /, Wellshire Municipal Golf
Course, Denver, Colo.
Will Give Time To Charities.
This action was decided upon by
the Executive Committee yesterday
and approved by the association
today Several reasons were ad-
vanced for the course. which dupli-
Gated the U. S. G. AS cancellation
of its national tournaments during
the last World War.
First was the desire Of the officers
to give their complete attention to
exhibitions and other golf competi-
ton for the benefit of war charities.
Joseph c. Dey. jr., executive secre-
tary of the U. S. G. A.. pointed out
that preparations for and handling
of the qualifying tournaments and
the big national events ordinarily
would have occupied the full fcsces
of the association.
Second was the belief that the
competitions themselves would not
have been Of championship cafbre.
Military service already has claimed
most of the leading amateur
golfers - National Champion Bud
Ward, Frank Strafaci. Dick Chap
man. Tommy Taller and others
without whom the title competition
would not amount to much either
in honor or as spectacle.
Holiday Journeys Planned.
Also the absence Of the star
amateurs would leave the national
open little more than a medal play
tournament for professional golfers.
Some prominent woman golfers
were known to be active in civilian
defense work and unlikely to COM
pete in national tournament.
Because of the considerations in
volved all the national champion
ships were acted upon as a unit, with
no effort made to hold one while
dropping others.
A letter from John B. Kelly. as
sistant director of civilian defense
In charge of physical fitness, asked
that the association promote three
competitions to be known as the
Decoration Day. Fourth of JULY and
Labor Day medal play handicap
tournaments for men and women,
They would be scheduled on those
holidays at every member club
throughout the Nation.
Kelly recommended that a nom
inal entrance fee be charged to
cover prizes and that any excess
returns be distributed to the Red
Cross.
The association adopted the pro-
gram and announced it would CO.
operate in all other proposals of
the ONCE for Civilian Defense.
P. G. A. Policy Is Approved.
The U. S. G. A. already has been
conferring with the Professional
Golfers Association of America
concerning exhibitions, it was dis
closed, and the two groups will work
together. The U. s. G.. A. said it
saw no reason for disturbance of
the program Of open tournaments
which the P. G. A. has arranged at
many points around the country.
The U. S. G.. A. also saic that
each sectional association must de-
eide for itself, on the basis Of its
character and local conditions, the
advisability Of carrying through It's
usual programs.
It did request that all golf clubs
make their facilities available, 70 the
extent of their ability, to men in
the armed forces. 1t also acked
that each course place a war con-
tributions box at the first tee and
ask each golfer to make a contribu-
ton. It was estimated that 6 3,400,-
(See GOLF, Page C-4)