USGA JOURNAL COMBINING TIMELY TURF TOPICS Cary Middlecoff turned professional two years ago in search of an answer. “I would never be happy without knowing if I were a good player or a great one,” he said. The Open at Medinah provided the answer. JOURNAL COMBINING TIMELY TURF TOPICS PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION Permission to reprint articles herein is freely granted (unless specifically noted otherwise) provided credit is given to the USGA Journal. VOL. II, NO. 3 JULY, 1949 Through the Green..................................................... 1 The Walker Cup Team..........................................John P. English 5 Middlecoff’s Courage in the Open....................... Richard S. Tufts 10 It Never Fails!.................... Isaac B. Grainger 12 Organized Gambling in Golf...................................James W. Walker 14 Women’s Golf Branches Out....................Miss Frances E. Stebbins 15 Upswing in British Golf...................................William C. Campbell 16 Rancho: A Model Public Course ............ Charles Curtis 18 Chipping and Pitching.......................................... Cary Middlecoff 20 The Junior Championship..............................Dr. Robert A. Keilty 21 The Referee: Decisions by the Rules of Golf Committee............ 22 Timely Turf Topics: USGA Green Section Nearly Everyone Has Crabgrass............................Fred V. Grau 25 Soil and Turf Relationship....... R. P. Humbert and F. V. Grau 28 Materials For Chemical Weed Control.............. T. C. Ryker 30 TCA For Bermudagrass Control............................W. C. Elder 31 It’s Your Honor: Letters.......................................... 33 Subscriptions: $2 per year; seven issues per year: Spring, June, July, Augus,t, September, Autumn, Winter. Single copies—30 cents. Subscriptions, articles, photographs, and correspondence (except pertaining to Green Section matters) should be addressed to: Correspondence pertaining to Green Section matters should be addressed to: UNITED STATES GOLF association 73 East 57th Street, New York 22, N. Y. USGA GREEN SECTION, Room 307, South Building, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Mo. Edited by Joseph C. Dey, Jr. and John P. English. Advisory Committee—John D. Ames, Chairman: Isaac B. Grainger, Curtis W. McGraw, James D. Standish, Jr. All articles voluntarily contributed PRINTED IN U. S. a. USGA COMPETITIONS FOR 1949 Walker Cup Match: August 19 and 20, at Winged Foot G. C., Mamaroneck, N. Y. Men’s amateur teams, British Isles vs. United States. (Dates entries close mean last dates for applications to reach U.S.G.A. office. except in the case of the Amateur Public Links Championship. For possible exceptions in dates of Sectional Qualifying Rounds, see entry forms.) Championship Amat. Public Links Entries Close Sectional Qualif yinii Rounds Junior Amateur July 5 July 18-19 Championship Dates Team: July 9 Indiv.: July 11-16 July 27-30 Amateur Aug. 1 Aug. 16 Aug. 29-Sept. 3 Girls’ Junior July 29 None Aug. 15-20 Women’s Amateur Aug. 12 Aug. 30-31 Sept. 12-17 Venue Rancho G. C. Los Angeles. Cal. Congressional C. C. Washington, D. C. Oak Hill C. C. (East) Pittsford. N. Y. Phila. Countrv C. (Bala), Phila., Pa. Merion G C. (East) Ardmore. Pa. USGA Journal: July, 1949 1 THROUGH THE GREEN Mortality at the First Tee Last year 5,854 golfers entered the four USGA Championships for males. In the Sectional Qualifying, 719 won championship places. For the 719 places, there were 718 actual starters. No. 719 was a lad who arrived two hours late for his match in the Junior Championship. He had sat several hours in an airport a few miles from the Championship course, hoping for a bus which never came—when all he needed to do was telephone the tourna­ ment officials. This low rate of mortality at the first tee—718 starters out of 719 possibilities in four Championships—was produced by several factors, chief being the USGA’s system of substitutions. Allotment of qualifiers’ places among the Sections is based on size and quality of each Section’s field . Besides allotting original qualifiers’ places, the USGA compiles a secondary list of Sections to which any eventually unfilled places may be re-allotted; this re-allotment list is, like the original, based upon quantity and quality. Substitution works like this: When a qualifier is unable to go to the Championship, the first available alternate from the same Section is sub­ stituted, in the order of qualifying scores. But suppose a Section is unable to fill its quota of qualifiers’ places? Suppose there aren’t enough entrants from that Section able to go to the Championship? That is where the USGA’s secondary list comes in. The vacant place is offered to the Section at the top of the re-allotment list; the Sections in this list have been rated on quantity and qualitv of original entrants. For example, Harold McSpaden, an exempt player, withdrew from this year’s “Best time of his life to enjoy golf—be­ fore he learns to count.” Ed Recd Cartoon Courtesy Register and Tribune Syndicate, Des Moines Open Championship. Rather than have his place go to waste, the USGA re­ allotted it to the Washington, D. C., Section, which was first on the re­ allotment list. Bill Nary happened to be the first available alternate in the Washington qualifying, so he replaced McSpaden. Then, one of the qualifiers at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., was unable to compete. Despite several telephone calls, it was not possible to obtain a willins alternate from the Florida Section. As Chicago was No. 2 on the re-allotment list, Chicago’s first available alternate went in—Jock Hutchison, Jr. All this points up the necessity for qualifiers and alternates to make their intentions known promptly. Any delay is likely to keep someone from playing in a championship. Hundreds of plavers are eager to compete in every event. The 19 18 low rate of mortality at the first tee is being challenged this year— all 162 places available in the Open were filled. The following statistics may excite “figure filberts”: 1948: Championship Kntriis Qualifiers Starters 1.411 1,220 Open Amateur Public Links 2.728 Junior 495 171 210 210 128 171 210 210 127 1949: TOTALS 5.S54 1.348 Open 719 102 718 162 2 USGA Journal: July, 1949 LOSS John P. English on USGA Staff Horrified and helpless, I saw her white form disappear over the edge of the cliff. All day in solitude we had been in complete harmony. And now — this. An idyllic episode had ended in stark tragedy. And in my heart I knew the blame was wholly mine. I had driven her to it. But there was still hope. Recklessly I descended the cliff. With crying gulls mocking my loneli­ ness, frenziedly I searched. There was nothing. Nothing but sand and deep, sinister pools that defied my gropings. I realized that without help my search was futile. Wearily I reclimbed the cliff. At length I reached the top and lay panting on the grass. After what seemed an age, I walked back to the sort of little mound where I had been standing at the time of the accident. With a sigh I teed up a new ball, and this time it was a winner—right down the middle of the fairway. ALASTAIR FRAME Reprinted from NEW ZEALAND GOLF ILLUSTRATED Who’s Afraid of Pine Valley? What’s a good score at Pine Valley ? George Baxter, of St. Albans, Long Island, has been playing the game since 1900 and has been hearing awesome tales about New Jersey’s “examination in golf” for most of those fifty years. Last summer he went down to see for himself. It didn’t give him too much trouble, even though he is anything but a long hitter. He went out in 42 and he came home in 42. He never went more than one over par. There were just two anxious moments in his round. He had to play his second shot safe on the seventh hole, and that left him with a full No. 3 iron shot to the green. He made it. Again on the long 15th, he had to play his second safe and hit a prodigious third to the edge of the green for his 6. Mr. Baxter’s 84 at Pine Valley is a good score, for Mr. Baxter's score in years is 65. John P. English Boston Herald John P. English has joined the staff in the USGA Executive Office in New York as second in command. Mr. English is a native of Boston, was graduated from Willjams College in 1932. and was golf editor of the Boston Herald for several years before volun­ teering in the Naval Reserve during the war. He left the service with the rank of lieutenant commander and since then has lived most of the time in New York as an Associate Editor of True magazine. During the last year he has been an editor of the USGA Journal. He is now devoting full time to USGA work. Simplicity in Local Rules Local rules often are necessary, but score cards frequently contain verbiage which only complicates or defeats the best interests of the game. We particularly admire, therefore, the score card of a new I SGA Regular Member, the United States Military Academy Golf Club at West Point, N.Y., which reads simply: Local Rules 1. White stakes are bound­ aries. USGA Journal: July, 1949 3 History from Memory SPORTSMAN'S CORNER One of the handiest men in the USGA family is Findlay S. Douglas, Amateur Champion in 1898 and President of the Association in 1929 and 1930. Mr. Douglas’s memory is phenomenal. The other day we had occasion to test it in a quest for facts regarding intro­ duction of the rubber-core ball into Championship play. He was more than equal to the occasion. “It was in the Amateur Championship of 1901 at the Country Club of Atlantic City,” Mt. Douglas responded, with less hesitation than a duffer at the top of his backswing. “William Holabird, Jr., brought several of the new balls from Chicago and used them in the qualifying round. After he was beaten in the second round, he gave some to Walter Travis. Walter used the rubber-core ball in the last rounds of the Championship, and won it. “Several leading players started using the ball the following spring. Person­ ally, I never did use it at all in those years.” J. Frederic Byers Golf has lost one of its keenest devotees in the passing of J. Frederic Byers, of Sewickley, Pa., President of the United States Golf Association in 1922 and 1923. Mr. Byers was a member of the USGA Executive Committee in 1918 and 1919 and a Vice-President in 1920 and 1921. He was a member of both the International Relations Committee and the Advisory Com­ mittee at the time of his death. When an active officer of the As­ sociation, Mr. Bvers participated in conferences with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club which resulted in more uniform Rules and in the establishment of the Walker Cup Matches, first played in his first year as President. His brother. Eben M. Byers, won the Amateur Championship in 1906. Sam Snead If any contender for the Open Championship ever had reason for public bitterness, it would be Sam Snead because: (a) in 1939 he took 8 on the last hole and finished two strokes out of the Championship tie; (b) in 1947 he led Lew Wor­ sham in the play-off by two strokes with three holes to go, and Lew won; and (c) this year Sam needed pars of 3-4 on the last two holes to tie Cary Middlecoff and finished 4-4. Yet after he lost the 1947 play-off to Worsham, Sam made a classic speech of sportsmanship at the presentation. Maybe his heart was breaking, but one wouldn't have suspected it. Now here's a letter Sam wrote the USGA after this year's Open; it's further proof that his personal popularity is solidly based on abundant sportsmanship: "I'm terribly sorry for not having been present at the presentation of prizes following the Open Championship. However, we had to drive quite a way that night, and I was forced to scoot. "Middlecoff played two excellent rounds in the third and fourth rounds. He certainly deserved to win. However, I tried quite hard on my last two, but the goat just seems to skip away at the very end. I hope I may catch him before I'm through "Again, it was a swell tournament, and I'm looking forward to the medal, which will have some happy memories as well as discouraging ones. "Sam Snead" 4 USGA Journal: July, 1949 Can I Beat Myself? The Craven Here is the reason that men and women continue to “sweat it out”, hitting and chasing a small white ball over miles of grass. Laziness disappears, lethargy is drowned in hope and trepidation in the invitation of the greens. Whether the score be in the 100s or the 70s, the desire to conquer engenders adventure in competition. And so strong is the spirit of conquest that the pleasure it brings and the thrills defy heat and cold and even drenching rain. It is not uncommon, even with snow in the air, to see players slapping their hands to restore circulation before chopping a piece of the frozen turf. Golfers suffer aggravations beyond compare—the good drive ending in the pond, long grass discouragingly clubbed to move a hidden ball, dignity lost by wading in the brook to splash a partly submerged ball and emerging mud- spattered and bedraggled, and the irony of a lusty swing in a sand trap to raise a futile cloud of dust. Such is golf! But beyond this looms the exhilarating thrill of a well-hit, sizzling ball disappear­ ing in the distance. Or the charmed sphere found resting inches from the cup for a par, a birdie or an eagle. Golf’s “Can I Beat Myself?” keeps virile the red corpuscles that make a healthy body and an active mind with the relish of accomplishment. It pro­ vides for old and young, for the expert and the dub, for men, for women, for girls and for boys, wholesome adventure in competition. Helen B. and Roy F. Perkins {Reprinted from fiftieth anniversary year book, Wannamoisett Country Club, Rumford, R. I.) Definition Revised By JOHN J. O’BRIEN (with apologies to Edgar Allan Poe) Once upon a fairway grassy, as I swung a futile brassie, Cutting sod and raising havoc with my more than ample score, In a complicated antic, I was nearly driven frantic By the raucous voice of someone, someone yapping at me: "Fore." "Bless my soul" I grimly muttered, oozing sweat at every pore. Only that and nothing more. Once again the ball addressing, trying hard to keep from pressing, Painfully relaxing muscles from my toes up to my jaw, Came the sound of something plopping, rolling on and gently stopping, Stopping neatly on the fairway where no ball had been before. "Can't he wait?" I murmured crossly, and the words stuck in my craw. Only that and nothing more. Then I smote with wild abandon, with the faint hope that I'd land on Level fairway and avoid the traps that wait with yawning maw. But the ball rose fast and faster, as if stroked by some old master Who from Bobby Jones or Kirkwood had ob­ tained his golfing lore. "On in three!" I shrieked upstarting, for it reached the green's smooth floor. One short putt to make par four. As I crouched above my putter, thinking thoughts I dared not utter. While I deftly tapped the pellet—from the sky a spheroid tore— Struck me where the flesh is whitest, struck me where the pants are tightest, Drove me to my knees in anguish, caused my putt to rise and soar. Wafted faintly o'er the fairway came a boister­ ous guffaw. Only that and nothing more. I arose with eyes gone glassy. "Boy," I yelped "give me my brassie." Turned about and strode to battle, Kke a knight in days of yore. "Knave," I snarled, "when you're approaching, first be sure you're not encroaching On the rights of fellow players who are putting for a score." Swung my club and dropped him limply, as I Question: How do I get a rub of the green off my pants? coldly grunted, "Fore." Only that, but lots of gore. Answer: See Definition in Rule 12. (From the San Diego Country Club Bulletin, submitted by Harold A. Dawson.) USGA Journal: July, 1949 5 The Walker Cup Team By JOHN P. ENGLISH The Walker Cup Match to be played August 19 and 20 at the Winged Foot Golf Club near New York will be unique on at least two counts: 1. It will be the first Match in this country in 13 years. A team of British amateur golfers came here in 1936 for a contest at Pine Valley, and that was their last visit. Only two Matches have been held in the interim, both abroad, in 1938 and 1947. 2. It will be the first Match ever Del Monte Press Bureau Francis D. Ouimet played under a written statement of con­ ditions. The Walker Cup series was started in 1922 as a result of a con­ versation. It continued happily for 26 years on purely verbal agreements. That fact alone demonstrates the com­ plete amity and understanding which have marked this series between teams of amateurs representing the British Isles and the I nited States. There is no par­ ticular reason why the series could not have been continued indefinitely on the same basis. But the two sponsoring or­ ganizations—the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, and the I nited States Golf Association—finally gave in to current custom, and last year put down their understanding in black and white, without altering any of the original ideas. “Walker Cup’’ is the popular name for the trophy. Formally, it is “The United States Golf Association Inter­ national Challenge Trophy.’’ It is a handsome, massive silver cup and was donated by George H. Walker, USGA President in 1920. The forthcoming Match will be the 12th in the series. The United States presently holds the cup, as the result of a rally in the final 18 holes of the singles matches in 1947 at St. Andrews. The Match had been very close until the last round, but the Americans finally w'on by 8 to 4. None of the players invited by the USGA Executive Committee for the 1949 Match was on the team 13 years ago. Yet, as Walker Cup teams go, they are vet­ erans in golfing years, the average age of the ten members being 34.6. Six of them played in either the 1938 or the 1947 Match. The team comprises, in alphabetical order: Raymond E. Billows Stanley E. (Ted) Bishop Charles R. Coe John W. Dawson Charles R. Kocsis Bruce N. McCormick James B. McHale, Jr. Robert H. (Skee) Riegel Frank R. Stranahan William P. Turnesa The non-playing Captain is Francis D. Ouimet, who has served as player or Captain on every American team in the series. Should any original Member be obliged to withdraw, an invitation will be issued to one of the following Alter­ nates, in the order listed: 6 USGA Journal: July, 1949 Raymond E. Billows Wide World Associated Press Bruce N. McCormick Memphis Commercial Appeal Robert H. (Skee) Riegel Stanley E. (Ted) Bishop Boston Herald USGA Journal: July, 1949 7 Memphis Commercial Appeal William P. Turnesa Frank R. Stranahan Charles R. Coe Oklahoma Publishing Co. John W. Dawson First alternate—Thomas W. Barnes, Atlanta. Second alternate—Arthur Armstrong, Honolulu. Third alternate—Richard D. Chapman, Osterville, Mass. Raymond E. Billows Mr. Billows is the only player who has reached the final of the USGA Amateur Championship three times without winning the title. Fortunately, he is endowed with a personality which enables him to laugh off the frustration and come back for more. A resident of Staatsburg, N. Y., and a member of the Dutchess Golf and Country Club, he is a tenacious match player and a hard man to beat on long iron shots. The Winged Foot Golf Club revives pleasant memories for him—he first drew attention in 1935 by driving there in an $8 “flivver” and winning the first of his six New York State Amateur titles. He reached the USGA Amateur final in 1937, 1939 and 1948. He was a mem­ ber of the 1938 Walker Cup team; he and Charles Yates were a winning com­ bination in foursomes, and he lost to Cecil Ewing in singles. Mr. Billows is married, has two child­ ren, is 35 years old, and is a printing salesman. Stanley E. (Ted) Bishop Mr. Bishop lives in Boston and is a member of the Pine Brook Country Club. Several years of devotion to the practice tee were rewarded in 1946 when he wen the USGA Amateur Championship. It was an appropriate climax to a year in which he also won the Massachusetts and the New England titles, each for the second time. He was a member of the 1947 Walker Cup team, winning in foursomes with Skee Riegel and losing in singles to Joseph B. Carr. Mr. Bishop is particularly effective near and on the greens, and his favorite club is the No. 7 iron. Just before the 8 USGA Journal: July, 1949 war, he played the Woodland Golf Club in 60. He reached the Amateur Champ­ ionship semi-finals in 1941, before his Army service intervened. In 1947 he went to the fifth round of the British Amateur Championship. He is 36, married, and is a jewelry salesman. Charles R. Coe The youngest player on the Team, Mr. Coe is 25 and was graduated from the University of Oklahoma a year ago. His education was delayed by war service as a pilot in the Army Air Force. Last September he went to the semi­ finals of the USGA Amateur Champion­ ship. He was a prominent collegiate player, and in 1947 and again this year he won the Trans-Mississippi Amateur. He and John Dawson tied for the amateur prize in the last Masters’ Tourn­ ament. He has been an officer in the Oklahoma City and State golf associat­ ions. He will be making his debut in Walker Cup play. His favorite shot is the No. 4 wood. Mr. Coe is a member of the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. He is married and is an insurance broker. Kocsis is a veteran of the 1938 Walker Cup Team and a former National Inter­ collegiate Champion, in 1936. He has won the Michigan Amateur five times and the Michigan Open three times. Although he has achieved many dis­ tinctions in golf since his graduation from the University of Michigan in 1937, his greatest thrill came when, as an 18-year-old schoolboy, he defeated Tommy Armour in a play-off for his first Michigan Open title in 1931. He sustained a broken back in 1945, but he has gone to the' fifth round of the USGA Amateur in each of the last two years. In 1948 he was runner- up in the Mexican Amateur Champion­ ship and averaged 70.2 strokes for all rounds throughout the year. In 1936 he was low amateur in the USGA Open, and in 1938 he was a quarter-finalist in the British Amateur. In the 1938 Walker Cup Match he halved in foursomes and lost in singles. A resident of Royal Oak, Mich., and a member of the Red Run Golf Club, Mr. Kocsis is a manufacturer’s agent, is 36 years old, married and has two children. John W. Dawson Bruce N. McCormick Mr. Dawson, a newcomer to the Team, but its oldest member at 46, is an exam­ ple of the fact that in amateur golf life can begin after 40. He reached the quarter-finals of the USGA Amateur Championship in 1928 and, because of his connection with a sporting goods manu­ facturer, did not enter the competition again until 1946. He was a semi-finalist in the 1929 British Amateur. He has long been regarded as one of the finest players in the country, and he proved it by being runner-up in the 1947 USGA Amateur Championship. He says his greatest thrill came in 1942 when he won the Bing Crosby tournament with a score of 66-67—133, leading nearly all the best professionals. He is noted for his spoon shots. Since becoming a real estate broker and a member of the Lakeside Golf Club in Hollywood, Cal., early in the war, he has won the California and Southern California Amateur Championships, and the California Open. He has been active in golf adminis­ tration and is a member of the USGA Sectional Affairs Committee. He is married. Charles R. Kocsis An ambidextrous golfer who once broke 80 playing left-handed, Mr. Mr. McCormick has been a strong challenger for amateur golf honors since 1933, when he went to the semi-finals of the USGA Amateur Public Links Championship in his first conspicuous appearance on the national scene. He won that title in 1937. Last September he reached the quarter-finals of the USGA Amateur Championship, for the second time. He will be making his debut in Walker Cup play. A Los Angeles salesman and a fellow member of John Dawson in the Lakeside Golf Club, Mr. McCormick was Cali­ fornia Amateur Champion in 1945 and 1946 and also has won the Southern California Open and Amateur, the Pacific Southwest and the Los Angeles City Championships, in most cases more than once. He has been runner-up in the Western Amateur. Last year in club team play he set a course record of 35- 28-63 for the Riviera Country Club, scene of the 1948 USGA Open. Mr. McCormick is 40, married, and has two children. He is a salesman for a linen service. James B. McHale, Jr. A newcomer to the Team, Mr. McHale came out of five years of Army service to establish a remarkable scoring record USGA Journal: July, 1949 9 Amateur Championships, including victories in both last year. He went to the fifth round of the British Amateur in 1947. Mr. Riegel is 34 and married. Frank R. Stranahan Mr. Stranahan, who took his first lesson from his father, is the most active amateur in the game. In 1948 he won the British, Canadian, Mexican and “All- American Amateur” competitions, the Ohio, Delaware and Miami Open tourn­ aments and was runner-up in both the Amateur and Open Championships in Brazil. War service as an Army pilot deferred Mr. Stranahan’s golf progress but since then he has often competed with the leading professionals and has won a number of open tournaments. In 1947 he tied for second in the British Open Championship, was a member of the Walker Cup team, winning in singles and losing in foursomes, and won the Canadian Amateur. He has also held the Western, the Trans-Mississippi, the Great Lakes, and the Ohio Amateur Championships. In April this year he won the North and South Amateur. He is a native of Toledo, Ohio, and a member of the Inverness Club. He will turn 27 just two weeks prior to the Walker Cup Match and is single. He is an accomplished weight-lifter. William P. Turnesa Mr. Turnesa, who plays with his head as well as his hands, was an outstanding young golfer as a student at Holy Cross. He won the USGA Amateur Champion­ ship the year of his graduation, 1938, and that seemed to climax his career. He probably is a better competitor today than he was then. He earned a place on the 1947 Walker Cup Team, won in both foursomes and singles, and then captured the British Amateur. In 1948 he was beaten in the semi-final in defense of that title, but he regained the USGA Amateur, 10 years after his first victory. This Spring he again reached the final of the British Amateur. The youngest of seven brothers, six of whom are professional golfers, Mr. Turnesa is a New York executive in the fire-extinguisher business. He was a Naval officer in the war. He has been active in politics in his home town of Elmsford, N. Y., and is a member of the Knollwood Country Club. He is 35, married, and has two children. The wedge is his favorite club. “The old boy is getting a lot more distance with his woods lately.” Reprinted by courtesy of Sports World in 1947. In the USGA Open Champion­ ship, he made a 30-35—65 in the third round to create new all-time records for both nine and 18 holes. Mr. McHale last year was runner-up in the Western Amateur and low amateur in the Western Open Champ­ ionships. He also won the Philadelphia Open. He was among the 30 low scorers in the 1949 USGA Open. His favorite shot is the No. 2 iron. As a soldier he he won the E. T. O. Championship at Paris. A Californian by birth, Mr. McHale is A Philadelphia insurance broker and a member of the Overbrook Golf Club. He is 33, married and has three children. Robert H. (Skee) Riegel The majority of members of the Walker Cup Team have played golf most of their lives, but Mr. Riegel, who played college football, did not take up the game until 1938. He set the qualifying record of 136 in the USGA Amateur Championship in 1946 (prior to the present all-match-play system) and won the title the following year. He was a member of the 1947 Walker Cup Team, within 10 years after he started to play the game, and won in both foursomes and singles. A resident of Upper Darbv, Pa., and a member of the Tulsa (Okla.) Country Club, he is an active campaigner in amateur events and occasionally com. petes in major open tournaments. He was low amateur in the recent USGA Open Championship, and has won the Western and the Trans-Mississippi 10 USGA Journal: July, 1949 Middlecoff s Courage in the Open By RICHARD S. TUFTS Chairman, USGA Championship Committee The usual problem in setting up a course for the Open Championship is to provide an adequate test for the pre­ sent-day professional without at the same time making the course too tricky. For this year’s Medinah Country there was such a Bachrach Richard S. Tufts professionals. Championship at the Club, near Chicago, wealth of material to work with that it was not considered nec­ essary to play the course at its full length or to use many of the more difficult cup locations. Med- inah’s length, its narrow, wooded fair­ ways and small greens in difficult situations provided a rough test for the best of our To be sure, Medinah called for no strokes which were beyond the ability of any solfer in the field, but the pen­ alties which awaited even a slightly off­ color shot were so severe that any attempt to save a stroke was usually impossible and often led to further disaster. This constant pressure of Medinah’s rugged layout offered one of the great­ est tests of true championship ability. No player in the field could hope to survive 72 holes of play without slipping two or even three strokes to par on one or more holes. The abil’tv to accept these “slintrs and arrows of outrageous fortune” without upsetting the even tenor of the player’s progress was certainly a first requisite in winning the Open Championship at Medinah. It was this very courage in the face of impending disaster that enabled Cary Middlecoff to become the 49th Open Champion. Starting with an indifferent 75, he found himself in a tie with 15 others for 38th position in the field. On the second day he came back with great courage to play the lowest round scored during the tournament, a brilliant 67. After the first five holes of the third round, it looked as if he would make a runaway of the event, since at that point he was four strokes under par. But Medinah’s troubles beset him and it was only with a fighting finish that he brought in a two-under-par 69. In the final round disaster came even closer. Slipping back to even terms with his fellow competitors, Clayton Heafner and Buck White, with Sam Snead burning up the course behind him and with Med­ inah’s woods and rough constantly threatening his every shot, Middlecoff proved himself a great fighter by staving off the collapse which overtook many other capable and experienced golfers. His last round of 75 brought his win­ ning total to 286, two over par. Aside from Middlecoff’s courageous play, tribute should be paid to several other great performances: To Sam Snead for a fighting finish in which only a difficult shot from the edge of the 71st green stood between him and a par finish for a tie. To Clayton Heafner for four fine rounds and a noble attempt for a tying birdie 3 on the closing hole. To Al Brosch, a club professional who led the seasoned touring professionals at the end of two rounds and was tied for second position at the end of the third. To Grandfather Bobby Cruickshank, who showed the youngsters a thing or two with two superlative rounds and finished with a total of 302. Chicago is one of the greatest and most enthusiastic strongholds of golf. With smart advance promotion by Co-chair­ man Larry Rutherford, it was therefore USGA Journal: July, 1949 11 not surprising to find an estimated near­ record attendance for the three days of approximately 26,000, with 12,000 on the last day.(The estimates were made by the Club and include players, workers and other non-paying attendants.) Under the able direction of J. Warren Barr, President of Medinah, a hard-working, efficient organization had been set up, and General Chairman Jack Barns left no detail uncovered which could make for the greater success of the Championship or the comfort and convenience of the spectators, competitors, press and visiting officials. To these three, with their many able lieutenants and the members of the Med­ inah Country Club, are due the profound thanks of all lovers of the game, for without the personal sacrifices which they all made, the proper and adequate con­ duct of this Championship would have been an utter impossibility. Middlecoff's 286 Hole Yards Par 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 385 182 415 442 525 444 580 200 443 Out 3,616 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 582 412 369 445 163 316 445 193 395 In 3,320 Total 6,936 4 3 4 4 5 4 5 3 4 — . 36 — — 5 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 35 —- 71 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 3 5 , .1— 39 5 4 3 5 4 3 4 3 5 36 ■ ■ — 75 4 3 4 4 4 4 6 2 3 «■—— 34 4 4 3 3 3 4 3 4 — _ 33 — 67 3 2 3 4 4 5 4 4 5 34 6 4 4 4 o 4 4 3 4 — - 35 — 69 5 3 4 5 5 4 6 3 4 39 —— 5 5 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 — — 36 — 75 No Greenskeepers Here Tlie sun-tanned man who nurses vour greens and the fellow member who supervises his efforts are properly called greenkeeper” and “chairman of the green committee”. There is no greens- keeper or greens committee. The term derives from the old custom of referring to the entire golf course as the “green,” as in “village green.” The addition of the “s ’ is a common error. Dr. Middlecoff Finds Out It has taken Cary Middlecoff just two years to find out whether he could be an outstanding golfer. In the light of his victory for the Open Championship, a letter which he wrote the USGA on January 16, 1947 takes on new significance. Middlecoff wrote the letter mainly to decline an invitation to be on the 1947 Walker Cup Team. He might have accepted the invitation without disclosing his professional intentions; he might have used the trip abroad to enhance his reputa­ tion and then turn pro afterwards. But Cary Middlecoff's letter tells what kind of person he is without need of further comment: "Needless to say, I am gratified beyond words about being selected on the Walker Cup Team. I know that it is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an amateur golfer in this country, but a few things have come up that make my participation impossible. "First, 1 am going to be married March 4. "Next thing is that I have planned to turn pro at that time and play the tournaments until I have proved to myself one way or the other if I am good enough to make golf playing a life work. "Ever since I can remember I have wanted to play golf without being worried about one thing or another but have never had the chance. I know that I would never be happy practicing dentistry without knowing for sure if I were a good player or a great one, and dentistry is too confining to ever offer me that opportunity. "I certainly hope that I can continue the pleasant relationship with the USGA that we have had in the past. My decision was reached be­ cause I love the game of golf and I see no other suitable out. "Very sincerely yours, "Cary Middlecoff" Fore! Golf is much like Life itself: IF hen Once it is begun, Unending are The thrills that It imparts. If we dont take it Seriously Then it isn't fun; And if ue do It breaks our Silly hearts! —H. S. G. 12 USGA Journal: July, 1949 It Never Fails! By ISAAC B. GRAINGER Secretary of USGA, Chairman of Rules of Golf Committee The afternoon before the Open Champ­ ionship at the Medinah Country Club, a member of the USGA Executive Com­ mittee was overheard saying to another: ‘‘1’11 bet you that before Saturday a member of the Executive Committee will have ‘laid an egg’ and that by six o’clock an unprecedented incident will have occurred.” The second wager was won before noon the next day. For the first time in USGA history, a contestant was playing 3 when he first put his ball in play from the first tee. Why? His late arrival caused unfair delay of other players, and revised Rule 2 (3) with its two-stroke penalty was invoked by the Committee, instead of Rule 20 (1). The penalty under Rule 20 (1) is disqualification. Under amended Rule 2 (3), disquali­ fication could have resulted from a second violation any time during the tournament. Other Rules were given generous tests during the three days. For instance, the second hole provided ample evidence for the necessity of further studying the pro- visional-ball rule where water hazards are concerned. This par-3 hole pro­ duced a number of 7s and much unavoid­ able delay because of the length of the water-carry and the extraordinary dis­ tance the players had to walk from tee to green. Many balls failed to make the water-carry. The Long Walk Rule 19 (e) prohibits a provisional ball for one which may be in a water hazard. Hence, rather than put another ball in play, the players usually elected to take the long walk to ascertain if the first ball were playable. In most such cases it was necessary to return to the tee. A well-known professional returned and put his second attempt in the water. On his third try. playing 5, he inadvertently Isaac B. Grainger elected to drop and play from an alter­ nate tee, nearer the water but somewhat to the right of the original tee. Therefore, because he failed to keep the spot at which the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard between him and the hole, a two-stroke penalty gave the player a 9, after he reached the green and took two putts. The second green created another prob­ lem: With water on two sides and the green otherwise protected by a steep bank with deep grass, it was likely that balls coming to rest behind the green might be played back into the water. In most such cases Rule 17 (2) would have required that the player return to the other side of the lake to play his next stroke, with a penalty stroke added. To obviate this a special ruling provided for application of the unplayable-ball rule, 8 (1), which permitted dropping the ball (or placing if within 60 feet of the hole and not in a hazard) at the place from which it was played into the water, with the usual penalty of stroke and distance. It is almost impossible to have a tournament without a ball coming to rest in clothing. This time, one landed in the lap of a young lady sitting near the eighth green. In her fright, she arose and the USGA Journal: July, 1949 13 ball nestled in the corner of a pocket in her coat which had been spread upon the ground. Obviously, the artificial obstruction Rule, 7 (4), was invoked; because the spot was technically on the putting green, that is, within 60 feet of the pin and not in a hazard, the player was allowed to lift the coat and place the ball. Bobby Locke was the victim of an unusual occurrence. After an extremely long shot from the ninth tee and what appeared to be a perfectly executed second with an iron, the ball came to rest 25 yards short of the green. Noting a peculiar sound when the clubhead came in contact with ball, Locke asked an official to inspect the ball. The official found that the ball gave way under finger pressure, and he therefore declared it unfit for play, allowing substitution with­ out penalty. Ball Moves—No Penalty Another prominent competitor found his ball under a leaf in the rough. As he leaned over to remove the leaf, but before touching it, the ball sank in the grass. Question: Was a penalty incurred? No. The player had not taken his stance, nor had he soled his club. Had the leaf, or any other loose impediment within a club-length of the ball, been touched before the ball moved from its position, either horizontally or otherwise, a pen­ alty of one stroke would have been incurred. For the first time in USGA champion­ ship play, gallery stands were erected around the 18th green. They proved far from satisfactory. Although placed at distances which appeared to be out of the playing area, there were instances in practice when play was interfered with. The artificial obstruction rule did not suffice in giving relief. Hence, special regulations had to be devised, and during the tournament they were invoked on a number of occasions. It is doubtful that stands ever will be permitted again. A flag at the top of a 75-foot pole would seem innocuous enough, but not so in a golf championship where things never fail to be different. At a particular time each day, for about 20 minutes, the large flag flying above and near the 18th green caused a moving shadow over the 18th cup. In more than one in­ stance the shadow caused a serious case of jitters to a player trying to line up a putt. An innovation at Medinah was the method of repairing the greens during play. For some time the USGA Executive Committee has been struggling with this problem. The only solution seemed to be in a procedure which sometimes violated the spirit and the letter of Rule 18 (3) prohibiting touching the line of putt. Appeals have been made to players for strict adherence to Section 6 of the Etiquette of Golf concerning eradication of ball holes after holing out; but be­ cause so many ignored this simple re­ quirement, the USGA, in order to make play as nearly fair as possible for all, has usually arranged for local green attendants to repair any ball holes as soon as made, and before players reached the green (see Decision 48-178 published on page 21 in the Winter, 1949, edition of the USGA Journal.) The procedure followed at the 1949 Open contradicts this Decision in that attendants were not permitted to make any repairs until after players had com­ pleted putting, and then only before the succeeding players had played their shots to the green. Hitherto, it was thought that this method would interfere with play, but, despite confirmation of this in one or two cases, the experiment proved worth while. A continuation of this plan would seem justifiable. If it can be made permanent, the Rules of Golf Committee will be happy that the conflict between championship procedure and daily application of the Rules will have been eliminated. All Those Divots AU those divots ice have taken From a somewhat perfect lie Must have rendered us a service. Do we cruelly let them die? T. G. McMahon 14 USGA Journal: July, 1949 Organized Gambling In Golf By JAMES W. WALKER Chairman, USGA Amateur Status and Conduct Committee Many inquiries have arisen as to the position of the United States Golf As­ sociation regarding gambling in golf, especially auction pools and sweepstakes. Such pools are disallowed at all com­ petitions sponsored by the Association. The reasoning behind this policy is sound. USGA tournaments are conducted for the sole purpose of determining champ­ ions. Organized auction pools at champ­ ionships would almost certainly run into large figures, would lead to commercial­ izing the game to a high degree and might well be the means for professional gamblers to take over and attempt to influence players just as they have done in other sports. Thus, the USGA has unequivocally felt it to be in the best interests of the game to prohibit any form of organized gambling at USGA championships. On the other hand, there are certain areas of gambling, especially of the in­ formal sort, which are outside the scope of USGA jurisdiction unless perchance a question of amateur status is involved. In order to clarify the Association’s position, the Executive Committee ad­ opted the following resolution at its last meeting: “This Association does not approve organized gambling in connection with the playing of the game. Section 1 of the Rules of Amateur Status defines what constitutes an amateur golfer. Section 2 gives several ex­ amples of violations which are to be interpreted in the light of Section 1. In considering any individual case, the Committee would be guided by the intent for which an event is con­ ducted or the purpose for which a player has competed.” The definition of an amateur golfer in Section 1 is: “An amateur golfer is one who plays the game solely as a non- remunerative or non-profit-making sport.” Unfortunately, some golfers are sus­ pected of making a business out of gamb­ ling on their golf skill. Much of their income apparently is dependent on their winnings and, in my opinion, such in­ dividuals violate the essence of the Rules. There is quite a difference between this sort of gambling and friendly wager­ ing or informal sweepstakes. Professional Intent A new section dealing with professional intention has been added to the Rules of Amateur Status. Henceforth, the followr- ing will cause forfeiture of amateur status: Taking any action which clearly indicates the intention of becoming a professional golfer.” All cases under this category will be judged according to the facts presented. A golfer who has made definite appli­ cation for a professional job or has made application to play for prize money will be deemed thereby to have forfeited amateur status. The Committee will not attempt to interpret a state of mind—rather, a definite action by an individual which would express a professional state of mind will govern the Committee in its decision. USGA Journal: July, 1949 15 Women’s Golf Branches Out By MISS FRANCES E. STEBBINS Chairman, USGA Women’s Committee Championship golf for women will be conducted on a much broader scale this year as a result of two innovations by the United States Golf Association. We sincerely hope that the new features will bring much pleasure to our con­ testants and will be good for the game. Sectional Qualifying Rounds at 24 localities, from Boston to Los Angeles and from Minneapolis to New Orleans, have been instituted for the USGA Women’s Amateur. One hundred twenty-eight players will compete en­ tirely at match play in the Championship at the Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa., September 12-17. Cooperation Promised The Women’s Committee has consid­ ered this change for several years and last fall made a comprehensive survey of the views of sectional associations and players. The number of replies from both groups was most gratifying and showed a marked preference for Sectional Qualifying. Associations were unani­ mous in their willingness to cooperate. The Sectional Qualifying will be at 36 holes stroke play. The first round will be played Tuesday, August 30, and the second Wednesday, August 31. Each entrant is to compete in the Section nearest her home unless she obtains permission from the USGA to transfer to another Section. Former USGA and British Champions, the 1918 Canadian Champion and the 1919 USGA Girls’ Junior Champion will be exempt from Sectional Qualifying but must file regular entry applications, all of which must be received by 5 P.M. on August 12 at the USGA office. Entrants must be members of USGA Regular Member Clubs, if residents of the United States, and have handicaps not exceeding six strokes. The entry fee is $7. The second innovation is the new USGA Girls’ Junior Championship, which will be played over the Bala course of the Philadelphia Country Club, August 15-20. Mrs. Edwin H. Vare, Jr., of Philadelphia, the former Miss Glenna Collett, has donated a perpetual Cham­ pionship trophy. Entries will be open to girl amateurs who will not have reached their 18th birthday by midnight of August 20, 1949, the day of the final. Residents of the United States must be members (or, through their families, enjoy the privi­ leges) of USGA Regular Member Clubs. There is no handicap qualification. The entry fee is $3, and entry applications must reach the USGA office by 5 P.M. on July 29. k There will be an 18-hole qualifying round Monday, August 15, to determine the 32 qualifiers for match play. The qualifiers will play 18-hole matches throughout. Players who do not qualifv for the Championship will be drawn for other match-play flights, and there will be an 18-hole stroke-play competition Wednesday. August 17. Accommodations will be available for girls, their fema’e relatives and friends at Harcum Junior College. Brvn Mawr. Pa. Members of the USGA Women's Committee also will be quartered there. Mrs. Charles Dennehy of Lake Forest. Ill., is Chairman of the Girls’ Junior Tournament Committee. 16 USGA Journal: July, 1949 Upswing in British Golf By WILLIAM C. CAMPBELL Guyan Golf and Country Club, Huntington, W. Va. To those who expect the Walker Cup Match to be just another American vic­ tory, I would advise that the British will bring from their geographically small islands some real players. This is an inescapable conclusion which I reached while placing in, and watching, the British Amateur Championship at the Portmarnock Golf Club near Dublin, Ireland. We know well the excellent play of their captain, the long-hitting, left-handed Laddie Lucas, and those on hand for the Walker Cup Match at the Winged Foot Golf Club, August 19-20, will find that the other Englishmen — Gerald Micklem, Ernest Mi 11 ward, Arthur Perowne, Ken­ neth Thom and Ronald White — are good in any league. White in particular is worth watching; the English Closed Champion plays a well-controlled, care­ ful game which is most impressive. Having seen many colorful Irish golfers, I am happy that four of their best will he here for the Walker Cup Match — Jim Bruen, whose terrific out­ side-in loop does not prevent a beautiful and powerful hitting position and whose distance and recovery shots are phen­ omenal; Joe Carr, the shortswinging, wide-arced long-hitter; Cecil Ewing, the Irish Champion and stylist, and, of course, the new British Champion, Max McCready, whose sound swing and ideal temperament have given British golf a shot in the arm. Playing Conditions Abroad No British Amateur Championship can be discussed without mention of the con­ ditions of play, which indeed differ from those encountered on this side. The smaller ball is of obvious import­ ance, though it is actually much easier to handle in the wind and seems to have greater distance than ours. Its only dis­ advantage seems to be its lying closer to the ground, or lower in the grass, so William C. Campbell that our thick-faced brassies are difficult to use. Another consideration to be reckoned with by the Americans venturing across is the fast condition of the seaside courses, where a sand foundation gives good drainage and leaves the fairways hard to the bounce. A straight drive does get a long roll, but play to the green is compli­ cated, especially with a following wind. Instead of playing for the stick, or even for the green, one must often either play a high ball far short and allow for the bounces or use a low-number club and play a long run-up. The outstanding point of difference between golf here and there, however, is the weather. What I would call a gale was described as a breeze by those who had become conditioned to golfing near the Irish Sea. The question wasn’t USGA Journal: July, 1949 17 whether or not there would be a wind; rather, it was as to the force and direc­ tion of it, for it seemed to change daily. Each shift of wind changed the course considerably—so much so that, for ex­ ample, on the seventh hole, 188 yards downhill, I hit the proper distance on different days with a No. 2 iron and a No. 9 iron! On the greens, good putting demands allowing for the wind. I was most interested in what I saw of the players across the Atlantic. Henry Cotton has written much of our closed or semi-closed swings, and the comparison with their open, wristy swings is inescapable. Although the good showing of the American veterans, Ellis Knowles, Chick Evans, Francis Ouimet and Robert A. Stranahan, Frank’s father, might be a counter to their points, the British claim that their style of play is not just for the young and strong and thus allows for more years of good golf for an individ­ ual. Whatever the merits, there does seem to be a great number of fine, long-hitting older players in the British Isles. Of course, the recent wTar took its toll, but even so, the average age of their players at the Championship seemed surprisingly old—unless I wras fooled by the mustaches and such. Speaking of appearances, I might add that plaid caps and tweedy plus-fours were much in evidence, and for a touch of decorum one of the English inter­ nationalists had his ball teed by his caddie. For some reason—perhaps because golf is an institution to the British—there were in the championship a surprisingly large number of professional men, a number of lawyers and doctors being among their better players. All the British play faster than most Americans. The Irish, with perhaps typical impetuosity, carry their hit-’em- quick tendency to the extreme. And the Irish average some 30 yards longer off the tees than do the other Britishers, according to tests made at Portmarnock. They also are somewhat wilder, I might add. They use heavy-headed, soft- and long-shafted clubs, wide stances (often pigeon-toed), considerable body sway and tremendous wrist action. All the British players use full gloves on the left hand, and their iron clubs have consid­ erably more loft than do clubs of American make. There is no need here to review the results of the Championship, but I do want to pay tribute to Willie Turnesa, tagged by the British press as “imper­ turbable master of the wedge,” for his spirit in coming from two or more down in at least four matches before finally losing to McCready in the final, 2 and 1. Frank Stranahan, wdio was caught off balance by the eventual Champion, gave such a good account of himself in de­ feat that his determined efforts on the last few’ holes of his losing battle wrere applauded by the Irish. When his final putt slid by the hole, the tremendous crowd followed its ovation for its vic­ torious countryman with applause for the loser for remaining a champion in defeat. The galleries, by the way, were large all week and extremely well- mannered. I would venture the risk of sacrilege by noting that eight of the 10 top favorites were drawn in separate quarter­ final brackets. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club would admit, I am sure, of nothing less than the completely blind draw’, but I do compliment them on their good luck. American golfers would be interested, if not surprised, to hear that the consensus of the top British players seems definitely to prefer, to their own blind-draw system, a method of seeding by qualifying rounds, and perhaps also of limiting qualifiers so as to allow for fewer 18-hole and more 36-hole matches. My first and last impression — of Secretaries Carson, of the R. and A., and Murray, of Portmarnock; of home-club Professional Eddy Hackett, and of all others connected with the Championship, and also of Ireland as a country — w’as of the really amazing hospitality of the people. I cannot overemphasize the pleasure of such a wonderful experience as 1 had. 18 USGA Journal: July, 1949 Rancho: A Model Public Course By CHARLES CURTIS Golf Editor, Los Angeles Times To Southern Californians, especially to Southern Californians interested in the progress of public links golf, the opening of the Rancho Golf Course for the USGA Amateur Public Links Champion­ ship, July 9 and 11-16, represents mile­ stones on a number of counts: It marks the completion of a 13-year effort to obtain the old Rancho course property for a Los Angeles municipal course and park. It marks the first large-scale expans­ ion of Los Angeles municipal golf out­ side the Griffith Park area which has for more than 30 years been the site of the only Los Angeles-owned courses. It brings the Public Links Champion­ ship to Southern California for the first time. Southern California has contribu­ ted four individual titleholders in the last nine Championships and five team winners in the last 12 competitions. It presents a brand-new course, a far cry from the old Rancho which was an agony of hills and valleys and tiresome walking. It is designed for heavy play by players with all degrees of skill. When it is opened to play following the Public Links event, it is expected to have capacity play. Complete Reconstruction Rancho in the Twenties was an active course, but the federal government later took over the property for a tax lien of $831,703. From 1936 until 1914 the City of Los Anceles negotiated for the property and finally obtained it on payment of $200,000. Course construction was started in 1946 and involved complete regrading of the area, with tremendous amounts of earth being moved to fill in some of the deeper canyons and to level steeper hills. A pitch-and-putt course was opened last September, and a driving range will be available when the full course is open. In addition, enough space was salvaged for a swimming pool, play­ ground facilities, a community building, baseball and football fields, tennis courts and park picnic grounds. Financed by Public Golf The financing of the project, including the purchase from the federal government and the development of the golf course, has been handled by the Los Angeles Playground Department out of revenues obtained from operation of the city courses in Griffith Park. It was not necessary to use any city tax money for the project. W. H. (Bill) Johnson, who has been manager of Los Angeles municipal golf since 1932, designed the new Rancho course with the aid of William P. Bell. Their designing followed this theory: make it easy for the high handicap players and difficult, while being fair, for the low handicap golfers. Yardage for the course is 6,283 from fronts of tees to fronts of greens, 6,643 from the medium markers and 7,003 yards from the extreme backs of tees to the backs of greens. Par will be 71, divided 35-36. Rancho is in the west section of Los Angeles, not far from Santa Monica Beach. There is a fairly steady westerly breeze which can become quite rugged in late afternoons and will materially affect the play of many holes. Taking into consideration that many of the players who will use the course in future years will be high handicappers who slice rather than hook, the course has been laid out so that most shots going to the right will remain in bounds. To players seeing Rancho for the first time, it may appear a rather barren spot. But some 20,000 trees and shrubs have been planted, and within a few years they will make it a beauty snot. USGA Journal: July, 1949 19 General promotional committee for the USGA Amateur Public Links Championship. Standing: Dudley Shumway, H. O. Lester, George Dann, Fred Buck, Harold Dawson, W. T. Brown, Sam Davis, Bill Johnson, J. C. Cunningham, De Armond Schmitz, Carl Kirstein, Harry Winters, A. H. Mauer, Harry Von Beaver, Oliver Sleppy, Robert McCallum, Sam Friedman, Seated: George Hjelte, Bob Fahy, Charles Lacey, Ronald Pain, Maurie Luxford, Tony Pereira, Harry Packham. Although the course has been completed for several months, no regular play has been allowed until the start of practice rounds for the Public Links Champion­ ship. A group of Southern California golfers tested Rancho late last spring to establish the handicap rating and to list the holes in order of difficulty for the score cards. To illustrate what a fair golfing test it should provide, the group, ranging from professionals to a 16-handicapper, produced scores which were uniformly on the fringe of par after deducting their handicaps. Willie Hunter, professional at Riviera, and John Dawson, runner- up in the 1947 USGA Amateur, scored 70s. A 7-handicapper scored 77. A 12-handicapper scored 82. A 16 handi­ capper had 87. Dawson has high praise for the course. It is one of the fairest courses I have ever seen.” he comments. “Tee shots will be at a premium, since there are so many hogback fairways. A well-placed drive is going to nay off. It will also help in the approach shots to the greens, which are unusually large and average about 8,000 square feet. There are large mounds near the greens, frequently taking in part of the greens, and they will make the placing of the approach shot very important. A good putter and chipper will get by very well”. Rancho’s fairways were seeded from June to August of last summer and were being mowed regularly by September. Southern California experienced its coldest winter, which retarded growth of the turf, but by this spring the fair­ ways were almost fully grown. The fairways may not compare in luxuriant growth with other Southland courses for some time, since most of these courses have Bermudagrass. This is a natural growth in this area and appears to invade all courses in time, pro­ viding a lush, thick carpet particularly in the warm summers when its growth is at a peak. Until the Bermuda invades the Rancho area, the fairways will con­ sist only of the planted grasses, meadow fescue, alta fescue, red top. bluegrass and a small amount of bent. A noteworthy fact about the course is its convenient arrangement from the gallery’s point of view. At several places it will be possible for the gallery to cover a number of greens with a mini­ mum of walking, and from a golf writer's point of view, that is just about the highest recommendation that can be made. 20 USGA Journal: July, 1949 Chipping and Pitching By CARY MIDDLECOFF USGA Open Champion, 1949 The golfer who thinks he can play winning golf by spending all his practice­ time on the driving range is wrong. Long and true wood and iron shots can be turned into a winning game only by supplementing them with accurate close­ up shots that pay off when the ball hits the green and stays there. Chipping and pitching are known as the stroke savers in golf. The ability to score hits or misses on the cup from off the green will save strokes on the green. And these short pitch and chip shots are often completely overlooked during practice sessions. While the pitch shot is highly lofted and played to drop dead on the green, the chip is used to pitch and roll the ball up to the pin over ground that is reasonably level. The chip is played with a comparatively straight-faced iron, preferably a No. 5. Avoid all body movement during the stroke. A chip shot is best executed exclusively through hand and arm motion. Also, there is little break in the wrists, with the line of the clubhead being almost parallel to the ground in­ stead of forming the usual wide arc. The secrets of a good chip shot are judgment as to where to land the ball on the green and knowledge of how much roll to allow for when the ball moves toward the hole. The shot itself is easily executed. But practice in aiming and allowing for the roll is essential to the mastering of the chip shot. Pitching, like chipping, is another valuable stroke saver. The pitch shot is used for slightly longer distances than the chip, but especially to clear obstacles of all sorts—trees, water hazards, traps and so forth. A well-lofted club, pre­ ferably a pitching niblick although a No. 8 or No. 9 iron will do, is used. In the stance, the feet are close to­ gether, with the ball played off the right foot and the weight resting mainly on Cary Middlecoff the left foot. The hands and arms, which do most of the work on this shot, are held close to the body, which is bent at the waist, not crouched over the ball. Again, the hands and arms do most of the work, while the body remains comparatively unmoved. The pitch shot is not an easy shot and requires delicate timing and accurate judgment. Thus, the backswing must be smooth and deliberate to avoid up­ setting the shot. Hitting the ball is not merely a matter of scooping it up into the air. Rather, the ball should be squeezed against the turf as it is struck. Of course, the general principles of follow-through, concentration and head down must be observed in pitching and chipping. One of the most prevalent faults in these shots is a lack of con­ fidence which causes the golfer to be psychologically defeated before he starts. Hit the ball—don’t baby it or be afraid of making a poor shot—and you will improve your short game. USGA Journal: July, 1949 21 The Junior Championship By DR. ROBERT A. KEILTY Member, USGA Sectional Affairs Committee The Congressional Country Club, scene of the second USGA Junior Amateur Championship late in July, is on the River Road near Potomac, Md., about seven miles from downtown Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1924 and has a large and magnificent clubhouse, an lo-hole golf course with a new nine holes in the making, a beautiful, terraced swimming pool and a most active tennis area. Its first President was Mr. Herbert Hoover, then Secretary of Commerce, and it was dedicated by President Coolidge. The club originally had 1,500 life members. It now has more than 900 active members. It was used by the Office of Strategic Services during the war as a planning and fatigue center and has been completely rehabilitated. Many outstanding men in Washington life have served on Congressional’s Board of Governors, and the club is fortunate in having one of them, Wash Williams, as its current President. Tommy Armour was the professional in the early years, followed by his brother, Sandy Armour, and Roland Mackenzie, who has since become an amateur. The present professional is an outstanding example of a club pro, Wiffy Cox. Lew Worsham served on the staff for a year. Over the years Congressional has en­ tertained more than its share of champ­ ionships. In 1935 it was host to the Intercollegiates, and it has great plans for the Junior Amateur Championship. In tune with modern times, the golf course has been revamped from the standpoint of member playing and labor- saving maintenance devices. It can be lengthened to about 6.800 yards for a Dr. Robert A. Keilty championship. Since the war several greens have been rebuilt, and the future program includes the remainder. The club maintains extensive nurseries from grasses originally obtained from the USGA Green Section at Beltsville, Md., during the war. The Washington Committee for the Junior Championship, headed by Francis E. McArdle, with Frank Emmet assist­ ing, has arranged interesting sight-seeing trips for the boys. The USGA will have evening programs of Rules discussions, a talk by William P. Turnesa, the Amateur Champion, and motion pictures. Ac­ commodations for players have been ar­ ranged at Georgetown University. As last year, the Junior Championship is open to male amateur golfers who will not reach their 18th birthday by the day of the final, July 30. The 128 players who compete at match play in the Champ­ ionship proper are determined by 18-hole Sectional Qualifying Rounds at 41 locations. 22 USGA Journal: July, 1949 THE REFEREE Decisions by the USGA Rules of Golf Committee Example of symbols: “No. 49-1” means the Section 3 of Rule 7 in the current Rules of Golf. first decision issued in 1949. “R. 7 (3)” means Playing without a Marker No. 48-108. R. 21 (2, 4); Tourn. Q: During a July Tournament at match play over four weeks, we ran at the same time on one week-end an 18- hole medal play partners’ best ball, and permitted scores in the July Tourna­ ment to count in the best-ball partner­ ship one-day tournament. Two players matched against each other in the July Tournament decided to play also and at the same time as a part­ nership team in the best-ball one-day tournament. Contrary to rules, these two went out and played by themselves. So far as their match play in the July Tourn­ ament is concerned, that appeared all right; but I, as Chairman of the Tourna­ ment Committee, disqualified them from the one-day best-ball tournament on the grounds that they had no one playing with them to certify their scores. This partners’ best ball tournament was scheduled to be played on either day of a week-end, a Saturday or a Sunday. They played the round on Saturday re­ sulting in their disqualification. They claim they had a right to play it again the next day. I believe that when you are once dis­ qualified from a tournament, there is no way you can play in it a second time; if we were to allow that, such players would have had two opportunities as against only one for all others. They argue that that applies only when they have been disqualified for an infraction of golf Rules. My answer is that the golf Rules always require in tournament play certification of scores by a player outside the match. Albert de Bedts New York, N. Y. A: Although we are willing to answer inquiries regarding duly constituted events, we must decline to rule on com­ plicated combinations which the Rules do not recognize, as, for example, combining stroke and match play, for which some governing Rules differ. The committee in charge should clearly determine the conditions of such events in advance. It should be noted further that the Rules of Golf do not cover four-ball stroke play. For guidance, we call attention to Rule 21 (2 and 4) dealing with marking scores in stroke play. A competitor in stroke play who competes without a marker and without the Committee’s approval must be disqualified from the entire competi­ tion. Opponent Removing Flagstick No. 49-15. R. 7(7), (8) Q: Rule 7(7) states: “The flagstick may be removed by either side at any time.” Playing in a four-ball match, my partner was approaching the green outside the 20-yard limit. One of our opponents asked his caddie to handle the flagstick for my partner, whereas my partner wanted to decline the use of the flagstick inasmuch as he was beyond the 20-yard limit. Could we decline the use of the flagstick under this situation, or would we have to ac­ cept the decision of our opponent? Gurth Robinson Knoxville, Tenn. A: Under Rule 7(7), your opponent was entitled to have the flagstick re­ moved, no matter how far away from the hole your partner’s ball was. If this were not so, your partner might have the advantage of striking an unattend­ ed flagstick, and the Rules give an op­ ponent the right to obviate that possi­ bility. If the flagstick is not removed, the player has the right to send his own caddie to attend it while he plays his stroke. The player may not compel an opponent’s caddie to attend the flag­ stick. There is no so-called “20-yard limit” with respect to striking the flagstick in match play. You probably have this confused with the reference to stroke play in Rule 7(8). Practice Stroke as Provisional Ball No. 49-16. R. 1(3), 2(1), 13 (5), 19 Q: Rule 13(5) specifically prohibits a practice stroke with a ball from any teeing ground or during the play of any hole after playing from the first teeing USGA Journal: July, 1949 23 ground. The penalty is disqualifica­ tion in stroke play; no penalty is given for match play. Rule 19 states that a player may play a provisional ball if a ball has been played to a part of the course where it may be lost, unplayable, or out of bounds. Rule 19(c) states that a player is under no obligation to state that he is playing a provisional ball for one of the reasons set forth in this rule. It seems to me that Rule 19 gives the player a means of violating Rule 13(5) without suffering a penalty. If he de­ sires to play a practice stroke, he can do so, and if questioned about it can merely state that he is playing a pro­ visional ball, which he is entitled to do at any time. I would appreciate very much having your views on this apparent loophole in the Rules. I realize that it is a situ- tion that will not arise very often, but I dislike seeing a situation where the interpretation of a Rule depends on the player’s stated intent rather than on his actions. Homer Haggard Wilmington, Del. A: The penalty for violating Rule 13(5) in match play is loss of hole. See Rule 2(1). The Rules of Golf are framed on the assumption that golfers play honestly. If a player conformed to the spirit of the first paragraph of Rule 19, he would never play a practice stroke disguised as a provisional ball. Permission to play a provisional ball is granted by Rule 19 only on the fol­ lowing conditions: (a) when a ball has been played to a part of the course where there is a possibility of its being lost, unplayable or out of bounds; and (b) for the sole purpose of saving time. Thus, if it should appear that a player were taking unfair advantage of the permission to play a provisional ball, the opponent or the referee (or, in stroke play, the committee) might justifiably claim that the purpose of Rule 19 had not been observed and that a practice stroke had been taken in violation of Rule 13(5). It also might justifiably be claimed that the player breached Rule 2(3) prohibiting delay in play. Attention is called to Rule 1(3), which provides: “If a noint in question be not covered by the Rules of Golf or local rules, it shall be decided by equi­ ty.” Measuring Holes No. 49-13. Par Q: Would you kindly inform us of the proper manner in which to determine the length between tees and greens? It would seem to us that a ball played on a hilly course would really have to travel farther to attain a certain yardage than on a flat course, as on a flat course the distance would apnroximate that of air line, while on a hilly course the ball has to be elevated more to cover a given distance, thereby increasing the yardage it has to cover. M. M. Bamberger Union, N. J. A: Each hole should be measured horizontally or along air line (which­ ever is more appropriate for the part­ icular hole) from the middle of the tee to the center of the green, following the planned line of play. The planned line of play apolies to the line contemplated by the architect in laying out the hole and does not necessarily mean a direct line from tee to green. Thus, in a hole with a bend, the line at the elbow point should be centered in the fairway in accordance with the architect’s in­ tentions. The foregoing general principles apply to all types of holes. However, in com­ puting par for a hole, configuration of the ground and anv other diflficu1* or unusual conditions should be taken into consideration. See “Directions for Computing Par” in the Rules of Golf booklet. Committee May Postpone Match No. 49-19.R. 20 (1); Tourn. Q: A finalist in the women’s club championship had to undergo an emer­ gency operation for appendicitis. I have failed to find a rule co ver inthis, whether the championship should be won by default or if an extension of time can be granted and how much time. Would you advise if there is a rule covering this or, if there is not. would you render a decision for us? The local tournament committee extended the time six weeks. Was this OK? Mike M. Swisdak Ocala, Fla. A: Authority to settle the matter rests with the local committee, as it best knows all the circumstances. It is the committee’s responsibility to arrange starting times and to deal with any failure to observe them. Rule 20 (1) provides in part: “Players shall start at the times and in the order arranged by the committee,” under penalty of disqualification. The committee was within its powers in postponing the final match six weeks. 24 USGA Journal: July, 1949 Bending Growing Objects No. 49-22.R. 7(3), Hdcp. Q. 1: You are not allowed to re­ move or press down any irregularities of the ground which could in any way affect your stroke, and you must not move, bend or break anything fixed or growing except as is necessary in taking your stance or in swinging. Does this rule mean that an over­ hanging branch of a tree or bush can or cannot be bent out of the way before making the stroke, or does it mean that it can be touched only in the process of making the stroke? A. 1: Rule 7(3) contemplates that there may be some moving, bending or breaking of fixed or growing objects as an incident in the course of taking a fair stance at address and in making the backward or forward swing, and it ex­ cuses such incidental movements. How­ ever, the Rule prohibits purposeful moving, bending or breaking with the aim of improving the position with the ball. The second exception in Rule 7 (3) condones only such moving, bending or breaking as may incidentally be done in making the swing, but it does not allow such action in order to make the swing. Tie in Handicap Match Q. 2: Two men playing a match with a difference of 5 strokes are all even at the end of 18 holes. Should they play another 18 holes, should they play 9 holes, or should they play sudden death, with poorer player taking strokes on holes designated on the score card? A. 2: Where a handicap match is even at the end of 18 holes, the fairest way is to replay the entire match at 18 holes. If this is not possible for want of time or for other reasons, we recommend that the winner be determined by play­ ing a lesser number of holes which will truly reflect the handicap difference. For example, if A gives B six strokes, one of which comes on the first three holes, the competitors can play those three holes, or, if A gives B 10 strokes, it would be equitable to play nine holes under a handicap allowance of five strokes. It is, of course, a matter for the committee in charge to determine, it knowing all the circumstances and being best able to determine the practical solution. The committee in charge should determine how halved matches shall be decided before the start of the tournament. If unforeseen circum­ stances prevent application of the fore­ going recommendations, the committee should settle the matter equitably. Questions by: Russ Iverson Racine, Wis. Knocking Away Opponent’s Ball No. 49-23.R. 12 (5), 18 (7, 9) Q: My opponent and I were both on the green. I had a putt of approximately 20 feet, and his putt was approximately 10 feet. I putted and my ball hung on the lip of the cup. My opponent, after a period of approximately 30 seconds to one minute, knocked my ball away. While he was walking up to knock my ball away, I told him, “Do not hit my ball: I think it is rolling”. My opponent said, “It does not make any difference—I can knock your ball away any time I choose to when it is in my line and it is my putt”. I contended that it was a question of fact whether the ball had stopped rolling or not and it made no difference whether it was his putt or not—I had a reasonable length of time to wait and see if the ball was still rolling. I later contended after reading the rule book that he was wrong, and that the only time he could knock my ball away was when his was already in the hole and, in knocking my ball away, he was at the same time claiming the hole or conceding a half. In this particular case my putt was for 3, and when he knocked it away, I, of course, took a 4, and he made his putt for 3. His point of view is that when it is his putt and my ball is in his line, he can knock it away any time he wants to with­ out giving me a reasonable length of time to see if my ball is still rolling. S. W. Creekmore, Jr. Fort Smith, Ark. A: The matter hinges on whether your ball had come to rest. This is a question of fact. Under Rule 18 (9), a player is entitled to a momentary delay to determine whether his ball is at rest. If your ball had not come to rest, your opponent lost the hole under Rule 12 (5) for moving your ball. If your ball had come to rest within six inches of the hole, your opponent could have required you to lift it under Rule 18 (7) and could have conceded your next stroke. His action in knock­ ing your ball away did not entail a penalty if it were clearly established that your ball had come to rest and was within six inches of the hole. However, as your opponent had not holed out, it would have been better for him to require you to lift your ball as provided in Rule 18 (7). Your opponent is wrong in contending that he can knock your ball away when­ ever it is in his line. Stymies are regulated by Rule 18 (7). USGA Journal: July, 1949 25 Better Turf for Better Golf X TIMELY TURF TOPICS from the USGA Green Section NEARLY EVERYONE HAS CRABGRASS By FRED V. GRAU Director, USGA Green Section Crabgrass is better known to most turf superintendents and to home owners than many of the commonly used turf grasses. Crabgrass is so well distributed over the United States that few turf areas escape its ravages; it is rated the Number One Enemy of good turf, more especially since 2,4-D has come into such common use to eliminate the broad-leaf weeds (dandelion, buckhorn, plantain, etc.). There are several different kinds of crabgrass, but to the club member and to the average home owner the differences are relatively unimportant. All are alike in that they are summer annuals. This means that they reproduce each year from the seed which was produced the summer before. It means also that they make their best growth during the heat of the summer when most cool-season turf grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, red fescue and bentgrass) make the least growth. Crabgrass has one identifying char­ acteristic: it will not grow in heavv shade. It must have plenty of sun to germinate and to grow\ It makes no difference to a crabgrass plant whether the shade is cast by an oak tree, a maple tree, a sycamore, a eucalyptus or a pine, or whether it is a deep, dense shade cast by a dense, tight turf of adapted perennial grasses. No one is going to recommend that fairways and lawns be planted solidly to trees just to have enough deep shade to control crabgrass. This leaves only one alternative: to grow a turf of adapted grasses so tight and dense that crab­ grass will be eliminated by the shade of the turf. Shade from turf can be produced in two ways: first, by letting the turf grasses grow tall, and, second, by’ growing turf grasses that produce a dense, crab­ grass-resistant turf under continual close mowing. Turf superintendents who must provide a continually playable turf for golf, tennis, baseball, football and other sports played on grass cannot let grass grow’ tall just to control crabgrass. Close, frequent mowing is a requisite of good playing turf, and the principles of pro­ ducing closely mowed crabgrass-resis­ tant turf on fairways can be applied directlv to home lawns. The only diff­ iculty is that home owners are laymen when it comes to grass culture, and the principles of growing good turf usually are applied in an indifferent and hap­ hazard fashion. Being a successful banker or lawver no more qualifies a man to be a successful lawn grower than it qualifies him to be a good green chairman. Now that we are committed to growing closely cut turf free of crabgrass, let us examine the problems and the possi­ bilities. When we say “close-cut,” we mean as low as 1/2 inch on fairways and up to 3/4 inch to 1 inch on lawns. The first requisite for controlling crab­ 26 grass, regardless of the type of turf, soil or climate, is to control insects which damage the grasses. In this respect modern insecticides such as Chlordane, DDT and others have the highest rating as crabgrass-control chemicals. For years since the advent of the Japanese beetle and destruction of turf by white grubs, chinch bugs, sod webworms, cut­ worms and others, it has been obvious that crabgrass first invades where these insects have damaged the turf. In this article we shall not attempt to go into the details of the use of in­ secticides. This information can be se­ cured from every county agent in the United States, from every extension spec­ ialist at the colleges, from dealers in lawn supplies and equipment and from the packages themselves. Common Kentucky bluegrass (histor­ ically one of the principle ingredients in lawn and fairway mixtures) is one of the turf grasses that is least able to resist the invasion of crabgrass. There are two reasons for this: first, common Kentucky bluegrass is susceptible to leafspot disease which weakens the grass in the spring and allows weed invasion; second, this grass enters a dormant period in summer. Weeds can invade any grass during its dormant season unless it is protected by another grass which makes its best growth during the dormant period of its companion grass. The new B-27 bluegrass, an improved type selected by the USGA Green Section and developed cooperatively with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and seed growers on the West Coast, now produces a turf which is more resistant to crab­ grass invasion and which can be mowed more closely than common Kentucky bluegrass without injury. B-27 bluegrass will be on the market in limited quantities at a hi‘»h price in 1949. It represents one of the improved turf grasses brought about by research which will help all turf areas to provide better turf with less crabgrass. Improved strains of Bermudagrass are being developed at the Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station, and several USGA Journal: July, 1949 show promise of providing better turf for home owners with less crabgrass because the improved strains are highly resistant to the diseases which render common bluegrass susceptible to weed invasion. In connection with B-27 blue­ grass it should be noted that its tolerance to Helminthosporium leafspot provides a major defense against thinning and weed invasion. Centipedegrass is coming into favor for city lawns throughout a large part of the South because research has proved that seed can be produced and that lawns can be established easily from seed. Once it has become established, and under proper maintenance, centipede lawns re­ main virtually weed free. New strains of red fescue are being developed in the grass breeding program at the Pennsylvania Experiment Station. Some of these fescues are highly toler­ ant to close mowing and to high summer temperatures and thus remain relatively crabgrass free. In the so-called crabgrass belt from Washington to St. Louis, the U-3 strain of Bermudagrass is finding favor on golf- course tees, fairways, athletic fields and even home lawns. It is a fine-bladed Bermuda, finer than many bentgrasses. When growing in close association with Arlington (C-l) bent, the two scarcely can be distinguished. In combination with B-27 bluegrass or with the Colonial bents, we have produced turf in the Wash­ ington, D.C., area which remains crab­ grass free and virtually weed free the year ’round, with continual close mowing and no supplemental irrigation. Experiments in Progress The list of improved grasses is by no means complete. M a n y experiment stations over the country are joining hands with the Green Section in an effort to solve some of the home owners’ age- old problems. Chemicals help, but they help most when the turf is best. There­ fore we take the long-range viewpoint that herbicides have their place on home lawns only as a temporary measure to discourage crabgrass sufficiently in late USGA Journal: July, 1949 27 summer to make it possible to establish improved grasses which, when properly maintained, will in themselves prevent the recurrence of crabgrass. Crabgrass­ control experiments are in progress at a number of experiment stations, and some of the newer chemicals offer considerable promise for discouraging crabgrass to permit the home owners to introduce other grasses. There are a number of chemicals which may be used to discourage or to control crabgrass, but they all have one thing in common: they produce the best results when used by a specialist. Time, rate and method of application, types of grasses and weeds present and soil­ moisture conditions all are factors which influence the effectiveness of crabgrass­ control chemicals. In this discussion we have no intention of attempting to instruct any home owner' how to use various chemicals on his lawn to control crabgrass. Our best advice is to have the job done commercially by someone who knows his business or to consult local authorities who are thor­ oughly familiar with conditions. Above all, follow directions on the package. On page 30 of this issue of the USGA Journal there is an abstract of an article on weed-control chemicals which may shed some light on our attitude toward chemicals as related to crabgrass control. The foolproof chemical has not been developed, any more than a grass has been developed that grows two inches high and stops, thereby needing no mow­ ing. Chemicals have considerable value when used as part of a sound, planned program designed to develop turf which can resist crabgrass invasion. Few home owners follow the approved practice of seeding cool-season grasses directly into crabgrass-infested turf in the fall when frost stops the growth of the crabgrass. This is the ideal time to make these seedings. The dead and dy­ ing crabgrass should not be removed be­ cause it provides the perfect soil mulch to hold the seed in place, to retain moisture for seed germination and to provide a cover to reduce mud around the home. COMING EVENTS Aug. 30—Turf Field Day. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J. Ralph E. Engel. Sept. 7-8—Turf Field Day for Green­ keepers, Rhode Island State Col­ lege, Kingston. J. A. DeFrance. Sept. 9—Lawn Turf Field Day, Rhode Island. Sept. 26-27—Turf Field Day and Golf Tournament, Pennsylvania State College, State College, Pa. H. B. Musser. Oct. 19—National Turf Field Day, Beltsville Turf Gardens, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md., on U. S. 1, three miles north of College Park. Fred V. Grau. 1950 Feb. 27-Mar. 2—Nineteenth Annual Turf Conference. Pennsylvania State College, State College, Pa. H. B. Musser. Mar. 6-8—Midwest Regional Turf Conference, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. G. O. Mott. All too frequently the most common practice is to wait until spring and with steel rakes remove every vestige of the dead crabgrass plants and then seed the turf grasses. This practice is designed only to encourage crabgrass. The dead crabgrass plants are excellent soil pro­ tection. The secret of success is to cover the crabgrass seeds so deeply with a dense turf established in earlv fall that the sun can never reach the seeds and help them to germinate. (Editor’s Note: We will have more to say on this subject in later issues, part­ icularly as regards fertilization and mowing of lawns, a subject which we intentionally avoided in th's discussion. If reader interest in home laions is sufficient, we can make this subject a. regular feature of the USGA Journal) 28 USGA Journal: July, 1949 SOIL AND TURF RELATIONSHIPS PART II By R. P. HUMBERT AND F. V. GRAU Head, Agricultural Division, Saratoga Laboratories, and Director, USGA Green Section, Respectively You will recall that in the last issue of the USGA Journal ive gave a number of mechanical analyses of putting green soils. There ivas not enough space to print the discussion and conclusions so, much as tve regret breaking the article, we pre presenting the discussion of the analyses in this issue. Volume weight was higher in the “poor” greens in 80 per cent of the cases studied. In the 20 per cent where volume weight of the “poor” greens was lower than in the “good” greens, other factors were known to be important. Porosity was lower in the “poor” greens in 80 per cent of the cases studied. The 20 per cent where poros­ ity was higher in the “poor” greens represented the same courses where the volume weight relationships were re­ versed. A desirable soil from the standpoint of turf production and maintenance necessarily entails the existence in the soil of an air-and-water regimJe suitable for the growing grasses. These conditions can be described in terms of pore-space distribution. They are controlled by the proportion of gravel, sand, silt and clay in the soil, the kind of minerals forming these particles, the amount and type of organic matter and the distribu­ tion and position of these particles. Individual particles are bound into aggregates of visible shapes by the finer particles and by organic matter. The pockets of fine pores inside each aggre­ gate act as water reservoirs, and the larger channels surrounding each aggre­ gate drain surplus water and facilitate soil aeration. This structural design is essential for a continuous supply of water and a continual replacement of the carbon dioxide which the roots give to the soil. Soil porosity is defined as the per­ centage of the soil volume which is not occupied by solid particles. It is cal­ culated from the real and apparent specific gravity according to the formula. Percent pore space: 1 — Apparent specific gravity Real specific gravity (Apparent specific gravity: weight of a given volume of soil in its natural struc­ ture) . (Real specific gravity: weight per unit volume of solid particles. Average—2.65) The total porosity of soils varies in the neighborhood of 50 per cent. Gravel­ ly and sandy soils have lower total porosities; clays and organic soils have higher. It is not the total porosity, but the relative proportion of the small pores (capillary) to the large pores (noncapillary) that is responsible for the physical properties. For example, clays possess a large number of small pores which contribute to a high water­ holding capacity and slow permeabil­ ity. Sands, on the other hand, have a small number of large pores which are responsible for a low water-holding ca­ pacity and rapid drainage. One objective of these studies was, if possible, to determine within limits the desirable proportions of the different sized soil fractions. It is obvious from the analyses presented that sweeping conclusions cannot be drawn. It is further recognized that other measure­ ments must be made and many more samples must be studied to render the data statistically significant. It is be­ lieved that the publication of the data at this time is important to call attention to the very wide variations in the physi­ cal make-up of soils on w’hich it is USGA Journal: July, 1949 29 desired to produce turf that has uni­ form playing qualities. Obviously, it is virtually impossible to produce uni­ form playing qualities on the greens studied. We believe that these studies draw at­ tention to the importance of building and maintaining a high sand content and a low clay content to avoid insofar as possible the detrimental effects of com­ paction. Putting-green turf is in use every day during the season, regardless of the moisture content of the soil. Golf players are not agronomists, and they are entitled to the use of the facilities for which they pay. Until further studies are made, we are not in a position to draw definite con­ clusions, but we would suggest that, in the construction of new greens, or in the rebuilding of old ones, the total sand content be developed to 50 to 65 per cent and the clay content be held below 15 per cent. If the gravel content is de­ veloped at about 5 per cent, there would be about 25 per cent of silt in the mix­ ture. Organic matter may be added ac­ cording to the local needs as established by good practice under intelligent man­ agement. From 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the volume of the surface four to six inches of soil may be organic materials. This study is incomplete because it does not differentiate between the types of clay, which are known and which im­ part vastly different qualities to the soils in which they are found. Neither were the chemical characteristics of these soils studied, which might have revealed important differences where physical differences were slight. It can be said that greater density, represented by volume weight, is an important factor because it appears to be associated with compaction. ft is hoped that improved techniques will be developed to measure compaction. The rate of water percolation was not studied, which could be an important measurement associated with quality of soils as related to plant growth. Layering was represented in 22 sam­ ples. Any abrupt break in structural design of a soil impairs water movement and affects the supply of water which reaches the roots. All layered greens showed a marked local concentration of roots, much of it at shallow depths. Attempts to correct originally poor physical soil conditions by topdressing with a sandy loam are evident in most samples. Evidence is strong that this is a relatively ineffective procedure. Deep cultivation to mix the various layers and to provide vertical planes for water and air movement represents a more logical approach. Suitable ma­ chinery to accomplish this has been de­ veloped. In some cases complete re­ building may be the only satisfactory solution. No apologies are made for the in­ completeness of the studies presented. They are published in the hope that they may guide others to research which will be more nearly complete and from which more nearly definite recommendations can be drawn. Lack of funds has neces­ sitated abandonment of this important project under the plan originally con­ ceived. The goal is to develop information for building a synthetic soil which will permit the free entrance and percolation of water, permit the nutrient elements to permeate to the lower levels to pro­ mote deep, healthy root systems and permit the continuous use and traffic abuse of the turf areas regardless of climate conditions, without deteriora­ tion of the turf. Information of this type will have value far beyond the putting greens on golf courses. RADIOACTIVITY TESTS The following quotation is from Daily Summary, November 30, 1948, published by the U. S. Department of Agriculture: “Experiments with certain low level radioactive materials conducted during the 1948 crop year in 14 States and with 18 crops so far have not shown any ben­ eficial effect upon either crop growth or quality. The detailed results of these comprehensive tests will be announced at an early date.” 30 USGA Journal: July, 1949 MATERIALS FOR CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL (Abstract of article by T. C. Ryker in Agricultural Chemicals, Vol. 4, No. 5, May, 1949) This article effectively summarizes the more important modern herbicides and emphasizes the need for a clear un­ derstanding not only of the chemical itself and of its action on plants and the environmental factors related to weed-killing efficiency but also of the term­ inology involved. The author writes of pre-emergence and post-emergence app­ lications, of blanket or direct sprays, oi contact and growth-regulating types and of selective and translocated materials. 2,4-D 2,4-D is highly effective in very small amounts. It is absorbed through the foliage and translocated through the roots, resulting in slow but certain death to susceptible plants. It is selective be­ cause it affects broad-leafed plants much more severely than the grassy types. The sodium or amine salts are highly soluble in water and are relatively nonvolatile. The ester forms are oil soluble and are much more volatile and dangerous to surrounding sensitive plants. 2,4-D is effective for foliage applications and as a pre-emergence spray to control the germinating of weed seedlings. 2,4,5-T (a related compound) is more effective on plants like wild roses, briars and weedy oaks. It is highly effective in brush clearance. It has been used effectively in tobacco­ beds, in seedbeds for turf and for elim­ inating weeds from vegetable crops which require high quantities of nitrogen. Potassium cyanate, a related compound, has value as a contact herbicide on certain crops like onions and currently is being tested for crabgrass control. Oils Oils are contact herbicides and are highly toxic to iriany grasses. Light oil such as Stoddard Solvent has been effective for weeding carrot fields. Oils may be fortified with 2,4-D and with phen­ olic herbicides to supplement their weed­ killing properties. The oils and the phe­ nols may be used as directed sprays. Sodium Trichloroacetate Tlie sodium and ammonium salts, usually designated as sodium TCA and ammonium TCA, are highly effective against grasses. They are contact sprays but are translocated to some degree. Soil sterility may last from two to four months. TCA has shown remarkable promise for controlling Bermudagrass, quackgrass and Johnsongrass. Chlorates Sodium chlorate, although an excell­ ent chemical for controlling crabgrass, has not found favor because of the fire hazards involved. Phenolic Herbicides Ammonium Sulfamate These materials are used effectively as contact herbicides wherein the materials are not translocated. This requires thor­ ough wetting of the plants, and the mat­ erials generally are not effective against perennials. Their differential killing depends upon their ability to wet weed foliage more than crop foliage. They may be used as pre-emergence sprays for certain crops, and in general they are more effective against broad-leafed weeds than against grasses. Cyanamid Cyanamid in moist soil releases free cyanamid, which has herbicidal action. Ammonium sulfamate as a foliage spray is translocated and has been used extensively for controlling brush and woody plants. The dry salt may be applied to cut stumps or in cups cut with an ax around the bases of weed trees. The soil sterility is usually of short duration. New Green Section Subscribers Commercial Firms Gormel Plant Food Products. Rochester, N.Y. Parks Palisades Interstate Park Commission, Rear Mountain, N, Y. USGA Journal: July, 1949 31 TRICHLOROACETATE (TCA) FOR BERMUDAGRASS AND JOHNSONGRASS CONTROL (Abstract of mimeographed release by W. C. Elder, Assistant Agronomist (TFeeds), Oklahoma A. & M. College, Stillwater, Oka.) TCA at rates of 50, 100, 150 and 200 pounds of active ingredient per acre produced almost complete kills on Ber­ mudagrass under favorable soil moisture and weather conditions. Unsatisfactory kills resulted in August, 1947, when it was extremely dry and hot, and in May and June, 1948, when heavy rainfall evidently leached the chemical out of the soil. Twenty-five pounds to the acre was effective against annual grasses such as sandburs, crabgrass and foxtails. Costs for treatments ran between $50 and $60 an acre. The paper suggests that TCA may effectively prevent Bermudagrass from spreading into flower beds and gardens from the lawn areas. It further suggests that TCA should be applied on moist soils followed by minimum rain­ fall, and that July, August and Septem­ ber (when there is moisture) is best for controlling Bermudagrass. The Ber­ mudagrass should be 1 to 2 inches high at the time of treatment. The author suggests for controlling Bermudagrass 1/2 pound to 2/3 pound of TCA active ingredient in 1/2 gallon to 1 gallon of water, sprayed uniformly over 1 square rod (16 172 x 16 1/2 feet). For annual grasses 1/8 pound to 1/4 pound is suggested. Precautions include: (1) avoid con­ tact with skin as it may cause the skin to peel off the hands, (2) it may be corrosive to sprav equipment, (3) it is not eflective on perennial broad-leafed weeds, 14) do not treat soil where tree or shrub roots are growing, (5) TCA is not supposed to be poisonous or in­ flammable but be sure to follow direct­ ions on containers. 161 soil must be moist but TCA leaches rapidly with ex­ cessive moisture, ( 7) retreatment may be necessary for Johnsongrass and Ber­ mudagrass, (81 much more experimental work is nece?sary Indore all the poss­ ibilities. limitations and best methods of using this new chemical can be established. (Editor’s Note: TCA is being investi­ gated at Beltsville, Md., for its possibility in controlling crabgrass in turf along with many other chemicals.) Stability of 2, 4-D Stored with Mixed Fertilizer (Abstract of article by Paul C. Marth. John O. Hardesty and John W. Mitchell in Agricultural Chemicals, Vol. 4, No. 5, May, 1949) This article cites figures showing that 600 pounds of fertilizer containing from 1 1/2 pounds to 3 pounds to the acre of 2,4-D killed many lawn weeds and at the same time caused the grasses to in­ crease in growth as the result of the nourishing action of the fertilizer and the significant reduction in weed com­ petition. Lots of fertilizer and 2,4-D were stored under various temperature and moisture conditions for periods of one month, three months and 10 months. After storage they were applied to turf composed mainly of Kentucky bluegrass, redtop and Chewings fescue heavily in­ fested with buckhorn, with appreciable quantities of field sorrel, black medic and white clover. Materials applied on July 19 during hot, dry weather severely injured the grasses. Applications made in the fall and again in the spring produced ex­ cellent effects on the grass accompanied by almost 100 per cent weed control. It was found that the potenev of the 2.4-D had not been reduced after 10 months of storage. Control plots treated only with fertilizer showed an average of 51.6 per cent weeds by weight in the clippings. Plots treated with the same fertilizer, with 3 pounds of 2,4-D to the acre added, after 10 months’ storage showed 1.1 per cent weed content. 32 USGA Journal: July, 1949 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS The answers below are in reply to actual questions received by the Green Section staff in correspondence or at turf conferences and meetings. In some cases the question has been rephrased. Since the authorship of many questions received at meetings is in doubt, references to location are omitted. Mowing in Relation to Play Question—I have excellent bluegrass fairways with only a trace of clover, Poa annua and weeds in them. In order to hold them I have had to set my fair­ way mowers at 1 1/16 inches to 1 1/4 inches. Some of our playing members object to the lie of the ball and con­ tinually ask us, “Why can’t we cut our fairways closer?’’ If we lower our fair­ way mowers, I know that we will lose a great deal of our bluegrass, and clover, Poa annua and other weeds will invade the turf. What shall I do? Answer—The golfer pays the bill, therefore the golfer must be served. If other courses in your area are providing their players with closely mowed, tight, dense turf which provides an excellent lie, then you will have no recourse but to provide similar conditions for your members; otherwise your members probably will forsake your course and play on others. We have learned the hard way that it does not pay to try to educate the golfer to like high-cut turf in which the ball nestles. Once they have played on dense, closely mowed turf where the ball sits up, they want no other kind. In some areas bluegrass must be cut above an inch to hold the turf. Many courses are turning to bent­ grass as the only immediate alternative to provide the type of fairway turf the golfers want. With modern aerifying equipment, bent easily may be intro­ duced into your fairways in the late summer and early fall without inter­ ruption to play and without any incon­ venience to the members. A number of courses have done this, and the super­ intendents on those courses are now mowing their fairways between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch, with no more trouble from Poa annua, clover and weeds than they had when they mowed bluegrass at 1 1/4 inches. A few courses are beginning to use U-3 Bermudagrass and Zoysia grasses on a trial basis. These grasses offer considerable promise as strong summer-growing companion grasses to bent and bluegrass. They have the advantage in that they can be mowed closely without injury and they will also provide the type of fairway turf that modern golf demands. U-3 Bermudagrass Question—We have heard about U-3 Bermudagrass for turf but have never seen it. What .are its characteristics, and where and for what purpose may it be grown? Is seed available? Answer—U-3 Bermudagrass is a fine-bladed, cold-tolerant strain which has given a good account of itself since 1940 at State College, Pennsylvania. Under adequate nitrogen fertilization and frequent close clipping, it produces a dense, nearly weed-free turf which is capable of withstanding extremely heavy traffic. It heals rapidly during the growing season, and for this reason the Green Section has advocated its use on golf-course tees, playgrounds, ath­ letic fields and similar areas. Because it can be mowed to 3/16 inch, it could be used on grass tennis courts which are in full sun. It requires the mini­ mum of irrigation when it is well fer­ tilized with nitrogen. At present its effective range is be­ lieved to be southern Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, and across to St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. Trials are in progress at Cleveland and in West­ chester County, New York. At Belts­ ville we have grown bluegrass and bent­ grasses successfully for two years in combination with U-3 Bermudagrass. This phase of the work still is experi­ mental, but it offers interesting possi­ bilities. No U-3 seed is available. It is repro­ duced only from sprigs. A few com­ mercial grass nurseries are in the pro­ cess of developing supplies of planting material. Limited quantities will be available this year. All plantings must be made by or before August in order to provide for successful establishment. Golf IFhen Man would forget the day, Lay down the soiled garments, Cease the marling And become as a little child, He taketh up these implements And maketh away unto a green field And in this communion Receiveth a sustaining cup. —Patience Worth USGA Journal: July, 1949 33 IT’S YOUR HONOR RADIOACTIVE BALL TO THE USGA: Your article in the June issue with regard to a radioactive golf ball is of particular interest to me. Your item reports an in­ vention said to insure the locating of the ball when lost. Since I hold a patent application filed early this year on just such an invention, I feel in a position to clarify the facts in­ volved. To begin with, the quantity of radioactivity necessary to the ball of my design would be 75 microcuries. This amount is infinitely small and were it to be multiplied 180 times (as in the case of 15 dozen balls), the total degree of radioactivity would still be harm­ less to humans or animals in close proximity. (This can readily be corroborated by the Atomic Energy Commission). Furthermore, the amount involved being so infinitesimal, standard characteristics of present-day golf balls such as size, weight, impact velocity, etc., would remain totally and completely unaffected. The radioactive life of the proposed ball would be three and a half to four years. With regard to the detector instrument, it would be slightly under a pound in weight, attachable to the golf bag, sturdy in con­ struction, so constituted as to have a life of at least 10 years, capable of locating the ball from anywhere within a radius of 18 feet and would sell for approximately the cost of a new club. Needless to say, the advantages of such an arrangement are numerous, an end to the continuous irritation of hunting the ball which manages somehow to tuck itself just out of sight, an end to the penalty stroke necessary each time one gives up the search, a definite speeding up of the over-all game and, of course, the saving of that dollar time and time again. Trusting that you will see fit to publish this explanation of mine, I remain, WARREN H. WESSON NEW YORK CITY BOUQUET TO THE USGA: I enclose my check covering renewal of the USGA JOURNAL. . . I cannot see how anyone with a spark of interest in the great game of golf could do without it. CHRIS REN NUTLEY, N. J. GREENKEEPER'S VIEWPOINT TO THE USGA: i am greenkeeper at Barton Hills Country Club. Our club is a USGA affiliate; there­ fore, a copy of the USGA JOURNAL comes to me regularly. I enjoy it and express gratitude in your furtherance of greenkeeping along with the golfiing end of the game. This brings our work to the attention of members and readers. ANDREW BERTONI ANN ARBOR, MICH. ONE FOR THE BOOK TO THE USGA: Again and again I hear the boys say, "It's a great book now. Remember how we used to struggle back and forth through the old Golf Rules, trying to get straightened out? Now it's a gimme. No trouble at all." Thought you'd like to know that the boys out in the meadows working with their mallets feel this way about the book. Here's a play that came up at St. Davids recently. Our 12th is a pretty smart par 4— takes a long carry with that second shot to get up on the shelf and stay there. Anyhow, this fellow hooks his drive back of a tree. Has to slap his second shot crosswise to get on the fairway without gaining any distance towards the hole. Now he's up for his third strike and again it's a hook, way down in the valley, off to the left, out of sight around the bend down by the brook. Maybe out of bounds. Sooo-o, he hits a provisional ball . . . and HOLES OUT! Yes, he carries to the shelf, gets a nice hop, bings the stick and STICKS. When the boys search for the original ball, they find it also stuck, wedged in the wire fence marking the boundary. So what is it? Well, with the old Rule book, they'd be fighting yet, all over town. How about a decision on this one in your next number of the JOURNAL? Speaking of golf books, new and im­ proved, the JOURNAL belongs in the same bracket with the Rule Book. Maybe the golf ball is not any faster than 20 years ago, but the golf BOOKS. . . ARE! BILL BRANDT CONSHOHOCKEN, PA. Editors .\ote: The USGA Jot’KNAL invites comments on matters relating to the welfare of the name and will publish them as space permits.