Amateur Voight?

According to the trend of golf rulings, an amateur player ceases to be an amateur when he accepts a position which is connected, even indirectly, with his skill or fame as a golfer. Francis Ouimet was barred from amateur tournaments of the U. S. Golf Association in 1916 when he became a partner in a sporting goods store. George Von Elm lost his standing in 1922 for practically the same reason. Both were later reinstated.

Last week the U. S. G. A. began to investigate the case of George J. Voight of Washington, D. C., who was recently ousted from the District of Columbia Golf Association because he had "acted in a manner detrimental to the best interest and spirit of the game." Mr. Voight's "detrimental" deed was giving up the repairing of typewriters for the U. S. Department of the Treasury and accepting a position as secretary to Edward B. McLean, potent publisher of the Washington Post and playmate of the late Present Harding.

Mr. McLean likes to play golf; has a private course. People suspected that Secretary Voight's job consisted chiefly of playing golf with Mr. McLean and looking after his links. At any rate, Secretary Voight had plenty of time to practice this season, improved his game so much that he won nine tournaments, loomed as a likely contender for the U. S. amateur golf crown.

Friends of Mr. Voight blame the action of the District of Columbia Golf Association on certain disgruntled players whom Mr. Voight; has defeated this year.

The investigation of Mr. Voight's amateur status by the U. S. G. A. is entirely independent of the District of Columbia body. A decision is expected within the next ten days, determining whether or not Mr. Voight can enter the U. S. Amateur Championship on Aug. 22.