GOLF.

Otago Witness, Issue 2862, 20 January 1909, Page 65

GOLF.

NOTES BY BULGES. In conversation recently with a golicr of wide experience my attention was draw n to the somewhat lax manner in which the laws of the game weie interpreted by some, of the clubs in New Zealand. He laid particular stress on one rule in paiticular which was being violated, that relating to the definition of an "amateur," and pointed out that at least one member of a metropolitan club who competed at a recent tournament was under that rule, ineligible to play as an amateur by rsasou of his business. It might be a=>ked, this being- the case, why the entry was accepted by the club under whose jurisdiction tho tournament was .held. This club cannot be blamed for not challenging the entry, but the onus rests with Che club to which the player in question belongs, as all entries for a tournament are supposed to come through club secretaries and this being so are naturally accepted in good faith. Golf clubs have a duty to perform, and one of their most important duties is to see that no one but an amateur, coining under the definition of "amateur, is allowed to compete in matches against amateurs unless under special circumstances, such as an open championship. The following letter, under the head of "What constitutes an amateur?" by a correspondent in Golf Illustrated, deals •with the subject, and might be read with advantage : — It is a well-known faot that the last few years have seen the rise of "veiled professionalism." We all know what a professional is, and we are supposed to know what constitutes an amateur. The rules of golf merely state tha* "An amateur is a golfer who has never made for sale golf clubs, balls, or any article connected with the game ; who has never carried clubs for hire after attaining the age of 15 years, and who has not carried clubs for hire at any time within six years of the date on which the competition begins; who has never received any* consideration for playing in a match or for giving lessons in the game, and) who for a period of five years prior to September 1, 1886, has never received a money prize in any open competition. Now this definition was probably sufficient in 1866, when -amateurs played for the love of the game, but I think the last two or three years have shown cause for a, further and stricter definition of the amateur status. In my opinion the American definition of an amateur, as given ■by the United States Golf Association, is far better:— "No person shall be considered an amateur golfer or shall be eligible to compete in tie amateur championship ofi this association who receives a monetary consideration, either directly or indirectly, by' reason of cojfXECTHnr • with or skill displayed in playing the game of- golf, or other branches of athletics."- _ i!ow here we have a definition which must appeal to all srolfers a 9 distinctly fair. The .position of the professional to-day is very different to what it was a few years ago. I am not writing without knowledge of the fact thai, with a few exceptions, a professional finds it hard to make ends meet. The reasons that have> brought about thi6 state of things are many. In the first place nearly all athletio outfitters sell clubs, balls, and all accessories for the game. We cannot lake exception to this.- But in hundreds of cases the proprietors themselves are members of golf clubs, a-nd play as amateurs. Surely these are articles for sale connected with the game. Are they not jeopardising their amateur status in playing as amateurs? And, again, it is becoming! quite the thinir for clubs to call in the services of well-known amateurs, who at a good fee go round the course and peg out bunkers, etc. Here, then, we have the amateur who takes money for his connection with the game. What is their position? They are certainly not amateurs in the strict sense of the word. They are identical with the professional who ■doss the same thing for a. monetary consideration. I know of plenty of "amateurs" who have bought a large quantity of balls to sell at a profit to their fellow-members, and this in clubs where a professional is kept, who, to make a living, has to sell at the usual price of 24s per dozen. Is not this hitting below tho belt? I certainly think it time the Rules of Golf Committee should frame a stricter definition of the amateur status. I am sure that professionals have the sympathy o£ all "gentlemen" players in this matter. Duncau and Mayo, immediately aftf»r their Mgiil victory over Roy and Tom Vardon, issued a challenge to the world for £100 a side, and have deposited their stake with 'he Sportsman Thsy stipulated that the :natch should take place in January. Braid and Taylor have accepted the challenge, subject to it being decided in March or April. It will be remembered that rhe champion and ex-champion defeated Duncan and Mayo in 1907. in a foursome pKyed at Walton Heath and Timperley. " I was playing last week," says a correspondent of the Sporting Times, " with a gentleman whose handicap was 30, but whose language was about plus four. Ir is hardly surprising that the caddie' 6 moral character underwent at eevere shaking during the round under the circumstance*. That may or may not bf a valid excuse for the cadiii-3; but the fact remains (hat on my acquaintance (not friend) playing hi- bail into a truly awful position, and asking the caddie's advice, the latter retorted : 'Weil, sir, if I was Tor. I should epit on it and call it "cashul water." ' " Golf Illustrated Kays : " Nearly every professional nowadays putts with a sort of stabbing stroke, and we are convinced that both for judging distance and keeping direction this is a much inferior method to the old way of rolling the ball from t!>~ face of the putter with a smooth_ stroke anJ a good follow through. We are also of opinion that the overlapping g"P> which may be useful enough in full snots for those who have strong hands «uid fingers, is most pernicious in the short approaches and putting, where a delicate sense of touch is required." A good golf match in th-e dead season is as welcome as the flowers that bloom an the spring. Hence the interest that v.as evinced in the 72-hol©3 contest I<W month between Tom Vardon (Sandwich) and E. Ray (Ganton) on the one hand ar.d (J'xjrge Duncan (Hanger Hill) and C. H. Mayo (Burhill) on the other, for c stake of £100 a sido. A grahfvinsr f^aHiro of the eiiKaxemeut was that tiie preluno^* ies

were arr.i Tijod ->virhort a piolongecl newspaper warf.ire It i* tius there was a htrlo de'a}- :n bringing off tho motch, but -hat was Jvc entu-2k *o a slight accident to the thumb cf Raj's right hand. _ The eour'e-s fixed upon wo r e Deal and Prince «, hot.h bem:r near the famous 4Sandwiok links, and the 72 holes were played on consecutive days, an anangement that appears to me to be worthy of imitation. Splendid weather favouied the pioccedinc s on the opening day, and tho spectator", who mimi>eiTd ICOO, were treat-ed to a remarkably line exhibition of the game. Duncan vi as in brilliant diiiing form, and kept a splendid line. Maio once more proved himself an ideal foursome plajer, and he most ably supported his partner by his accurate shoit ?arae. his putting particularly being most deadly. The vcungar men made an irre=.*iible start, taking fh<> first four holes ip 13 strokes. They had only on* bad hole in the round, at tho end en which they led by five holes. Vardon and Ray shoved improved form in the afternoon and at ths turn had reduced tho lead asainst them to two holes. Duncan and Mayo, however, were brimful of confidence, and running off with thf next thx-ee holes in 4, 4, 2, they once more led by five ihejes. A great struggle ensued to the finish, no fewer than five holes being halved, but Ray and Vardon got one back at the eighteenth, where the acceptors had an almost unplayable lie. The scores W ere Forenoon : Duncan and Mayo, 73 : Vardon and Ray, 77. Afternoon : Duncan and Mayo, 76; Vardon and Ray, 7A. When the concluding stag 3at th 2 Prince's links was entered upon Duncan and Mayo had the substantial lead of four holes. Vardon and Ray yere not disoirited. however, and by plucky play they had reduced it to three holes by the time tho eighteenth hole was reached. Taken .til over the play was below the standard of the previous "day, but the strong, northwest wind was mainly responsible for the deterioration. The younger men were not to be denied, and another brilliant fspuit in the afternoon gave them a commanding lead. They were five hole* up .a* the turn and the end :>ne at the thirteenth green, Duncan and Mayo winning eas.ly by six holes up, and five to play. The better players won. and the moral of the contest seems to be that a powerful driver and an accurate pitcher and putter make a ;i strong foursome. The question now t will Braid and Taylor challenge the wint^i It VM rumoured that they were wiUin? to p!«y Vardon and Ray, b«t Duncan and Mayo forestalled them in the acceptance of the challenge. No doub. tocan and Mayo will be quite pi^Jw meet the champion and ex-champion, since tlei- .-Weal by Braid and H \ardcn at Walton Heath and Timperley, the young players have had a considerable amount of experience in foursome play, and they hS be able to exhibit form. 2S S3 ff^v^Tn iTpoSle, the match should be arranged to be pla^d without delay. [KB.— bmce wriHr,/ the above a match has been arranged.] '