College Golf To, Here To Stay, Says Former National Amateur Champion

Former National Amateur Champion

The college golfer with the huge letter of his university on his sweater made an unforgettable impression on me. I watched him with a great deal of interest from various parts of the course at Wakonda last year, and it was revealed to me more than ever that golf has attained a hold on colleges that will never be lessened and which will be intensified as the sport grows in college favor. College golf has come to stay, not only for the few, but for the many.

I think that every sort of boy was entered. There were very delicate students in that crowd at Wakonda, medium, strong and very strong. There was a little hunchback who played well, and that fact brought out my contention that golf is for every sort of physique, and the college boy who would probably be cut off from every other outdoor game might become a good golfer--at least a fairly good one. Collegians must either play golf themselves or take long hikes to see the other fellow do it. There is no grand stand seat for the spectator.

Those who were defeated felt a little discouraged; that is, for a day or so. I saw some college golfers reach Wakonda delivering bundles of nerves from many sleepless overanxious nights. In spite of being defeated, many were fairly well pleased with their games; and they certainly enjoyed themselves. It was a big adventure to them.

Most of the college golfers have a very sound style, thanks to their Coaches, but there are many of them who played in bad form. A very unsound style frequently works well when the player is youthfully supple and resourceful.

The college golfer takes the best care of himself; there is no drinking, no swearing. He trains for his tournament and he is willing to make many sacrifices for his game.

One of the greatest incentives to the college golfer is encouragement; a boy needs a nudge now and then--or a near-one, to cheer him on a difficult way. The N. C. A. A. can and will prove a continual incentive to him to keep up all the best traditions of the game.