GOLF.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 36, 10 February 1917, Page 17

GOLF.

Japanese golfere in New York City will ahortly lay out a golf linke and erect a clubhouse of their own. A committee has consulted A. W. Tillinghaet, the wellknown golf architect, in regard to layin" out the links. Work on the course will commence as soon as a deal can be closed for a piece of property on Long Island. The general scheme that will be worked out is to make the entire clubhouse and course ac much like a golf course in Japan as possible. Golf history in America for 1918 is now drifting to the end of its run. It ie within a short pitch of the last hole, and a lew more days will end its programme, eaye an exchange of December 24. 60 the time seems appropriate to cast a backward eye over the season's leading incidents without making any attempt at a general statistical summary. To begin with, 1910 brought startling changes to the golfing fortunes of the iiig lhree—Evans, Travers and Ouimet —showing again "that as this old world goes roun' and roun , some go up and some go down." This worthy saying was never illustrated better in its complete career, tvane, the perfect stylist, the marvel of shot makers, came to the year's beginning without a national title, either open or amateur. lie finishes the year with both championships securely tucked away for future defence. Travers, four times amateur champion and open champion a year ago, one of the great figures in American golf, failed to compete in a tournament through the pressure of business. There is an old saying that "Business never interferes with golf," and yet here we have a champion who refused to let golf interfere with business. Ouimet's fate was the hard one of the lot. Open champion in 1913, amateur champion in 1914, he found himself in 11)16 to be the first amateur champion ever barred from amateur competitionsIt can be eeen .from this what startling changes in fortune 1916 brought to the three greatest amateurs of United States golf. The one without a national title at the year's start comes into possession of the two premier honours. The other two, with seven championships to their credit, fail to enter a tournament of any sort. What of 1917? Evans expects to defend both championships, and, with the confidence that comes from success, he will be hard to beat. Travers believes that he will be able to enter one or two tournaments, at the leaet, provided business upon the Cotton Exchange doesn't become too delirious to leave. 1 Ouimet's fate rests with the January meeting of the United States Golf Association, where one of the bitterest fights ever known in golf will be made for his reinstatement, through a change in the rule, as it can come in no other way. The majority of the United States Golf Association committee are against liis reinstatement—against any ciiacgc in the rule. The majority of golfere at large by 90 per cent, believe he is an amateur, and should be taken back into the fold. The meeting alone will furnieh the answer for another year. If all three should get back the next amateur championship will be a wonder. Evans can be counted upon to prove a formidable defender. Ouimet, in private matches, was playing at the top of his game, fully as well as he ever played in his life- He, too, would then be a rugged antagonist. Travers played so little golf that his game fell olf, but he could undoubtedly get going again with a fair chance to practice. And with these must be considered Bob Gardner, amateur champion in 11)01) and 1915, who, despite an infected hand, fought his way to the final round and proved that he belonged with the .Big Three of the game. "Gardner," remarked one of Chicago's amateurs, "would undoubtedly be toe best amateur golfer in America if he had the time that others have to devote to the game. I believe without any doubt that he could win two years out of three or four on an average." If Ouimet is again barred the East will count mainly upon Travers and Kn-kby to face Evans and Gardner of the Weet.