GOLF

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1931, Page 6

GOLF

HOW COLONEL BOGEY CAME TO LIFE.

(By H. J. Chapman in ‘‘Otago Times”)

Colonel Bogey has figured in more matches on the links than almost all the other players in the world put together. Most oi' us have had a sla.p at him some time or other, and we have always found him a gentlemanly opponent; one who never made an allowance for our mistakes, but, at the same time, one who never spoke back to us or jeered when we missed a twofoot putt. Yet, I suppose, few of us know much about the origin or history of this famous old character. There is quite an atmosphere of romance about the old gentleman—and not so very old, either, for in actual fact it is only some 40 years ago since he was born. His birthplace was Coventry; his christening ceremony took place at Yarmouth, and lie received his military rank in Hampshire. Could anyone be more perfectly English ? He was born somewhere in the early ’nineties, usually given as 1891, and his father is said to have been Mr Hugh Rotherham, a member of the Coventry Club. It was this gentleman who suggested that a pleasing change from score play would be to compete against a ground score,” this aiming at being the figures a scratcli man ought to be able to register at each hole. The idea caught on, and the game was duly introduced by the Coventry Club. The new form of play was an immediate success. It was taken up by the members of tb© Great Yarmouth ■ Club, and here the new game was christened. It was Major C. Wellman who had the distinction of giving it a name, for after he had completed none too successfully on the novel lines, lie remarked to a friend—“ This ground score player of vours is a regular Bogey man.” This was considered to be a happy inspiration, and ever since this particular form of the game has been termed Bogey. But it still remained for Mr Bogey to attain a title, and this was in due time conferred on him by Captain Vidal, of the United Services Club. When Bogey duly reached this society the honorary -secretary, Captain Vidal, thought it only fitting that their latest member should be given service rank, and there and then lie was promoted Colonel. It was in 1910 that the R. and A. gave Colonel' Bogey their official recognition by making special rules for the form of the game. The colonel however, is going out of fashion. He has two rivals in the field at the moment. One is “Old Man Par,” an American native, and the other is the plan of the Golf Union of Scotland, known as “the standard scratch score.” I knoiv orie "of twt courses in Scotland where par has been adopted, and several where S.S.S. is now the official standard, but in every instance the members of the clubs refer to competitions on these lines as “Bogey games.” lam very much afraid that no matter how the system of laying down a standard groan a score may be choped and changed it will still be known as “Bogey” by the player. Golf writers wanting an alternatlv* phrase for Bogey usually refer to him as “the Redcoat,” another reminder of a vanishing past. Time was when private club golfers used to appear on Medal days resplendent in coats of scarlet. Naturally, it was only to ne imagined that Colonel Bogey, a stickler for rules and etiquette, would also don his red coat, and so his alternative appellation came into being. Hero and there an occasional red jacket may still be seen on the links, but they are now few and far between. I feel that golf has lost much of its dignity and splendour by the abolition of this decorative custom. Plus fours, pullovers, and leather jerkins may be all very well in their own wav, hut who can say with honesty that these have half the effective appeal and spectacular value of a jacket made of ffamriig crimson and adorned with gold buttons bearing the badge of the ciub? Some old customs are better than new ones, and the revival of the red coat would be the means of still further -prolonging the life and memory of Colonel Bogey, most gentlemanly and honest of all opponents.—Weekly Scot Scotsman.