THE STATUS OF AMATEUR.
An acute controversy affecting the amateur status of American golfers is under way, following the refusal of the United States Golf Association to permit State and District Associations to pay the team expenses of their representatives in the Lesley Cup matches held in different parts of the United States, and sometimes in Canada. The Royal Canadian Golf Association, with, one understands, the approval of St. Andrews, permits the payment of the expenses of Canadian competitors in the matches. To refuse similar help to American players, it is argued, is to put them at disadvantage. More- over, the United State Association permits the payment of expenses for the Walker Cup Competition, Public Links Championship, and the Inter-Collegiate matches. While not questioning the legitimacy of the Canadian ruling for a moment, the United States Association insists that problems of amateur status in America are entirely different from those in Canada and Britain. To allow further exceptions to the expense rule, the Association holds, would open the door to the commercialization of golf here. The experience in other sports, notably tennis, gives colour to their view. Nevertheless, the State and District Associations believe they have a good case, and are not disposed to abandon it.
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