USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT INSIDE “GOLF HOUSE" The Library of "Golf House," one of the most attractive interiors of the USGA's new home in New York. Above the fireplace is an oil painting of John Reid, founder in 1888 of the St. Andrew's Golf Club, Yonkers, N. Y., and sometimes called the "father of American golf". Above the bookcases are large sepia photographs of all USGA Amateur Champions. Through the doorway may be seen some historic clubs on exhibit. Photo courtesy of Saucon Valley t. C. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT 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. IVf No. 6 November, 1951 Through the Green .............. 1 Sportsman’s Corner ........................ 3 The Tragedy of John Smith, Esq........................... Richard S. Tufts 5 Differing Views of Creepers............................................................... 6 The State of Amateur Golf............ .......... -... Joseph C. Dey, Jr. 7 Scenes from Saucon Valley ....................................... (Pictorial) 9 Golf in Veteran’s Hospitals ...................—....... Helen Lengfeld 10 Right Out of the Books...................................... 11 Why Not Six-Hole Courses? ................... William B. Langford 12 No Expenses in Amateur Team Match.................... 14 Georgia’s Golfing Peaches ............................................. Ed Miles 15 The Dr. Livingstone of Golf ................................. Harry Robert 16 The PGA’s Employment Service ............................ Dave McKay 19 Happy International Relations ......................................................... 20 “Golf House” is International ........................................................ 21 The Referee: Decisions by the Rules of Golf Committee........... 22 Turf Management: USGA Green Section Report of 1951 National Tukf Field Days ...................................... 25 From the Golf Course Superintendents .......................... 28 Meyer (Z-52) Zoysia Dr. Fred V. Grau and Alexander M. Radko 30 American Society of Agronomy Report ......................................... 31 It’s Your Honor: Letters......................................................... 33 Published seven times a year in February, April, June, July, August, September and November by th» UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y. Subscriptions: S2 a year. Single copies: 30c. Subscriptions, articles, photographs, and correspondence, except pertaining to Green Section matters, should be sent to the above address. Correspondence pertaining to Green Section matters should be addressed to USGA Green Section, Room 331, Administration Building, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md. Entered as second-class matter March 3, 1950, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Edited by Joseph C. Dey, Jr. and Harry Robert. Advisory Committee—John D. Ames, Chairman; Isaac B. Grainger, Totton P. Heffelfinger, Curtis W. McGraw. All articles voluntarily contributed. Printed in U. S. A. USGA COMPETITIONS FOR 1952 Curtis Cup Match — June 6 and 7 at Muirfield Golf Club, Muirfield, Scotland. Women’s Amateur Teams, British Isles vs. United States. (Dates entries close mean last dates for applications to reach USGA office, except in the case of the Amateur Public Links Championship. For possible exceptions in dates of Sectional Qualifying Rounds, see entry forms.) Championship Open Amateur Public Links Junior Amateur Amateur Entries Close May 19 *May 29 June 30 July 21 Sectional Qualifying Rounds June 2 !June 15 to 21 July 15 Aug. 5 Girls' Junior Aug. 4 None Championship Dates June 12-13-14 July 23-26 Aug. 18-23 Aug. 18-22 Women's Amateur Aug. 7 None Aug. 25-30 ♦ Entries close with ** Exact date in each Sectional Qualifying section to be fixed Chairmen, by Sectional Chairmen. Venue Northwood Club, Dallas, Texas (not determined) Miami, Fla. Yale G. C., New Haven, Conn. Seattle G. C., Seattle, Wash. Monterey Peninsula c. c., Pebble Beach, Cal. Waverley C. C., Portland, Ore. Team: July 5 Indiv.: July 7-12 Miami Country Club, USGA Journal anb Turf Management: November, 1951 1 THROUGH THE GREEN Taking No Chance the following rule: As the golfers topped a rise they saw an old lady sitting in the fairway. One of them said: “You know, it’s very dan­ gerous to sit there.” “Oh,” she said, “it’s quite all right; I’m sitting on my macintosh!’’ South African Golf Fair Play For Substitutes By 3:15 P. M. on the Saturday before this year’s Amateur Championship, all except three of the 200 contestants were present or accounted for. Having had no word from those three, the USGA Championship Committee defaulted them and arranged for replacements. Fifteen minutes later, one of those three telephoned to say he would be there after a while—he had been playing in a nearby tournament in eastern Penn­ sylvania. He was chagrined to learn that his place had been forfeited under “Every qualifier or alternate who becomes eligible for the Championship must register with the Registration Committee at the Saucon Valley Country Club by 12 o’clock noon on Saturday, September 8, or must advise the USGA Executive Secretary, in care of the Club, of a later time of arrival. If he fails to do so, his place in the field may be forfeited and re assigned. “Players exempt from Sectional Qualifying should not file entries unless they positively intend to compete in the Championship, in order that places reserved for them may not be wasted. “These regulations are to insure fair play to players who may be able to compete in the Championship should qualifiers be unable to do so.” Such a rule is used for all USGA Championships with Sectional Qualifying. Every entrant in this year’s Amateur was sent five notices about the deadline. The rule is four years old. It was adopted after many places in 1947 Cham­ pionships were wasted when eligible players did not show up and did not let A 10,000-to-l Shot—by Camera and Club Camera fiends might click madly all their lives and never get a picture like the one on the left. It is an actual photo of a hole-in-one. Dr. Gene H. Kistler, of Chattanooga, Tenn., was playing the Highlands, N. C., Country Club with his wife and two sons. Unknown to the doctor as he teed off with a 4 iron on the 185-yard 18th, all carry over a lake, his younger son snapped his picture. The ball went into the hole; the photo on the right shows Dr. Kistler retrieving it. It was his first ace in 30 years of golf. 2 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 the USGA in on their plans. Of 171 eligible places in the 1947 Open, seven were unfilled; of 210 in the Amateur, ten were unfilled. Yet there were hun­ dreds of players eager to substitute. To give alternates a last-minute op­ portunity to fill in for withdrawing play­ ers who keep their intentions secret, the deadline for reporting was adopted in 1948. It has helped greatly in promoting fair play to the waiting alternates. In the last four years, the four USGA male events — Open, Amateur, Public Links, Junior Amateur — have had a grand aggregate of 2,842 starting places available in the championship proper. Actually all but three places have been filled. The records do not show the quantities of time devoted by the USGA to informing alternates of their eligibil­ ity — the telephone is kept quite warm the last few days before a Championship. But there has always been a reluctance to forfeit a place even though the USGA reserves the right to do so. For this year’s Amateur the Committee waited three hours past the time when it could first have taken action. Then it declared three places vacant and set about offering them to the next available alternates. One of the three players actually ap­ peared on the scene not long after his place had been forfeited. What of the two other delinquents? Well, around noon on Monday, the first day of the Championship, a casual cable­ gram was received by the Saucon Valley professional from one of them stating that he would not appear; he was in London, and would the professional please inform the USGA? The other gentleman, who lives in Phoenix, hasn’t been heard from yet. But there were 200 starters in all 200 of the available places. And by the way, there were record entries this year of 1,511 for the Open and 1.416 for the Amateur. U.S.—Canada Match One of the many pleasant events at Saucon Valley was the informal Team Match between the United States and Canada, held on September 7. The contest was patterned along the lines of the Walker Cup Match, in ab­ breviated form. It was compressed into one day by playing both the foursomes and singles at 18 holes instead of 36. The Canadians remained over for the Contestants Dinner preceding the Ama­ teur and seemed to enjoy the entire trip immensely. The U. S. Team, our Walker Cup representatives, won by 10 points to 2, which score by no means indicates the keenness of the competition. 1953 Championship Sites The 1953 British Walker Cup Team will have a chance to sample two widely varying types of United States courses. The Walker Cup Match will be held at the Kittansett Club, Marion, Mass., on which the visitors should feel somewhat at home. The Kittansett course is con­ sidered to bear a strong resemblance to British seaside courses. From there to the Amateur, at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club in Oklahoma City, Okla., will be a far cry as well as a long jump. The invita­ tion of this southwestern club was ac­ cepted for the event. The USGA accepted the invitation of the Rhode Island Country Club, at West Barrington, R. I., for the Women’s Ama­ teur. "Winter Rules" We have now reached the time of year when that old sign, “Winter Rules,” is dragged out and erected near the first tee at many clubs. This recalls an article on the subject by W. F. Bebout in the Akron, Ohio, District Golf Association publication, Fore You, last winter. Mr. Bebout pointed out that there is no set of official “Winter Rules” and that usually such rules are whatever a golfer wants them to be at the time—in other words, what is easiest for his game. Mr. Bebout asks if we ever thought of it this way: We are guaranteed 18 per­ USGA Journal ano Turf Management: November, 1951 3 feet lies in a round, one on every tee. Allowing two putts on every green, and greens being the nearly perfect sur­ faces they are, there are 36 more ex­ cellent lies we can expect. Even if we shoot 90, we take a chance on only about 40 per cent of our lies in a round. “Winter Rules" are not easily enforced because they hardly ever mean the same thing to any two players. And it is ques­ tionable whether they save the course when the ball is usually moved to the best clump of grass in the vicinity and that clump is promptly cut off in making the shot. Like Mother, Like Son Club championships in at least two New York State clubs have been won by mothers and their sons this year. At the Albany Country Club, Mrs. Marguerite Stevens was victor for the tenth time, and her son Chuck won the Sportsman's Corner It had rained torrents during the after­ noon of the semi-finals in the Amateur Championship at Saucon Valley. When the greenkeeping staff set to work early Saturday morning, the putting sur­ faces were so wet that it was decided not to cut the grass before the start of the final round. Mowing such soggy turf would have marked it up considerably. By the time the afternoon half of the final started, however, the course had dried out appreciably and the greens had been cut. Joe Gagliardi knew this. But he didn't know whether Billy Maxwell was aware of it. It was knowledge that would affect one’s play. Joe had the honor on the first hole of the afternoon. He teed up his ball, then turned around and said to his opponent: “Billy, I don’t know whether you know it. but they’ve cut the greens since this morning.” men’s club championship. It was the same at The Creek Club, Winged Foot Honors Its Champions The Winged Foot Golf Club of Mamaroneck, N. Y., has so many champions among its members that something had io be done. Result: a "Night of Champions" dinner. Shown above are, left to right: Ralph Kennedy, who has played 3,020 different golf courses; Tom Robbins, United States Seniors' Champion and Winged Foot Club Champion; Claude Harmon, Club professional, holder of Metropolitan Open and PGA titles; Homer Johnson, Club President; Joseph Gagliardi, Metropolitan Amateur Champion and runner-up in USGA Amateur; Earl Ross, President of Metropolitan Golf Association. A. Chase Holmes Photo 4 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 Locust Valley. In one and the same day, Mrs. J. B. Balding and her son, Bobby, ■won their respective championships. Mrs. Balding is also Long Island match play Champion and President of the Women’s Long Island Golf Association. She and Bobby hold the Metropolitan mother-and- son titU. The Creek requires that juniors who have not reached their 18th birthday must be accompanied by adults when playing on Saturdays, Sundays and holi­ days. This may be a touch embarrassing for the men’s club champion—Bobby Balding is 16. Enchantment of Distance One of the more unusual propositions the USGA has ever received came from a gentleman who recently wrote as fol­ lows : “I have invented a ‘gadget’ that will make golf balls (of a fairly good grade or bounce) go 15% farther. In other words, a golf ball driven normally 200 yards will go 230 yards. “This ‘gadget’ will not change the ap­ pearance of golf clubs in any way. Like­ wise it will not change their weight. “I am willing, provided this invention hasn’t been patented, to give the Golf Association 25% of the net profit if the USGA will guarantee that this invention will not be banned by them. This ‘gad­ get’ will probably be sold for from two to five dollars to all golfers owning their own clubs.” The Chairman of the Implements and Ball Committee, Charles B. Grace, of Philadelphia, handled that one, and replied in part as follows: “May I refer you to pages 56 and 57 of the 1951 edition of the Rules of Golf, specifically the form and make of golf clubs, which must ‘consist of a plain shaft and a head which do not contain any movable or mechanical contrivances.’ “With respect to golf balls, ‘The veloc­ ity of the ball shall be not greater than 250 feet per second when measured on the USGA’s apparatus.’ “The USGA is very much concerned with the distance of golf balls, and it is their feeling that there must be a limita­ tion in distance, otherwise there would be a great number of golf courses which would become obsolete. The expense in­ volved in making them suitable for the longer ball would be costly to the players who support the clubs and therefore make it practically prohibitive.” They Gave to the Game Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N. Y., where the 1949 Amateur was played, is marking the 50th anniversary of its founding this year. Dr. John R. Wil­ liams advises: “As a part of the celebration it was decided to install in the Club’s portrait gallery of champions and golf history a panel of the five Americans who over the past 50 years had contributed the most to American golf. A committee was se­ lected to make the choice, consisting of five sports writers and telecasters, five golf professionals, and five old-time golfing members of the Club—a total of 15. The voting was secret. “Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, and Francis Ouimet were unani­ mously chosen. Gene Sarazen received 10 votes. The five remaining votes were scattered among Byron Nelson, John J. McDermott, John G. Goodman and Charles Evans, Jr. “The results were announced at a meeting, at which the audience had been asked beforehand to make its own selec­ tions. The majority of those present made the same selections as the committee.” Passing of Joseph Gumbel Golf has lost a devoted friend in the passing of Joseph Gumbel, of New Or­ leans. Mr. Gumbel had served in many of­ ficial golf capacities and at his death was a member of three USGA committees— Sectional Affairs, Public Links and Junior Amateur. USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 5 The Tragedy of John Smith, Esq. By RICHARD S. TUFTS USGA Secretary and Chairman of Green Section Committee It is a beautiful Saturday in Septem­ ber, and Mr. John Smith, Chairman of the Green Committee of the Fairway Country Club, has arrived at his club, full of anticipation for a day’s relaxation and pleasure. Mr. Smith has been afflicted with an unfortunate slice of late and he feels his enjoyment of the afternoon’s sport would be greatly enhanced through the elimina­ tion of said slice by means of a half- hour lesson from Bill Jones, the club professional. Bill prescribes a firmer use of the left arm and Mr. Smith repairs to the grill for lunch, full of confidence that all is now well with his game. His happy progress is slightly checked by picking up a soiled plate for the buffet, but he has the satisfaction of telling the Chair­ man of the House Committee that he had better replace that dish machine the club bought four years ago. It seems cruel to report that after such thorough and cheerful preparation, Mr. Smith did not enjoy his afternoon of golf. In spite of supreme confidence in the stiff-left-arm procedure and an adherence to it that almost resulted in a sprained wrist, Mr. Smith’s slice was as active as ever. A Bad Lie But it was not the slice that Mr. Smith held responsible for the loss of three bucks and an afternoon’s pleasure. On the fifteenth hole Mr. Smith’s drive, which by great good fortune had terminated in the fairway, actually came to rest in a bad lie. This, aside from costing Mr. Smith the match, was, you will realize, a very awkward situation for the Chair­ man of the Green Committee. Therefore Mr. Smith called Golf Course Superintendent Charlie Brown on the telephone and expressed a very low opinion of poor Charlie’s education, in­ Richard S. Tufts dustriousness, and acceptance of his responsibilities. It did not occur to Mr. Smith that Charlie’s request for an extra application of fertilizer on this particular fairway had been arbitrarily rejected by himself as Chairman of the Green Committee. Nor did it occur to Mr. Smith that in his thorough preparation for the enjoy­ ment of his golf, he had neglected Charlie Brown’s frequent requests to spend a few hours with him on the course. The judgment of the club professional could be law to Mr. Smith, but his superintend­ ent’s opinion he held in very low esteem. It was easy to understand that a four- year-old dish machine could not be re­ paired; but. of course, a fertilizer spreader should be expected to last twenty years if second-hand, longer if new. In all fairness to Mr. Smith, we must confess that he was serving his first year as Green Committee Chairman and had not wanted the job, anyhow. However, it was customary to rotate committee assignments around in the Fairway Coun­ try Club, and it had been the feeling (Continued on Page 18) 6 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 Differing Views of Creepers A center of strife and controversy is the slow player on a golf course, and arguments continue to buffet him like a hailstorm. This moot creature comes in for discussion again in two club publica­ tions in recent weeks, the Fairway of the Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, N. Y., and the Foreword of the St. Davids Golf Club, Wayne, Pa. Winged Foot handles the subject with a mailed fist. We can almost see the author, his choler rising to the boiling point, his pen nearly ripping the paper with the force of his strokes as he pours out his indignation. Boxed under the title, “Listen, Mr. Slow Player—”, the article follows: “You are not popular around here. “You are the subject of considerable vigorous words in the locker rooms. “You will find it hard to get games if you don’t reform. Already many men avoid you. “You inflict unnecessary torture on the men in your match as well as on the suf­ ferers who have to stand behind you while you fiddle around, choosing a club, while you take one, two, three or more practice swings before every shot, and while you loiter over a putt and make everybody else fidget. “Another thing—how can you have the gall to re-try a putt when the match behind you is waiting to shoot to the green ? “We wouldn’t say you deliberately make everybody in sight wait on your execrable manners, but you certainly are callous and indifferent to the comfort of your fellow members. “Starting now, when you are out there making life miserable for everybody, the match behind you is going to demand that you step aside and pass it through. And if you refuse, or make a fuss about it, the players you have offended are au­ thorized to cite you to the Board of Gov­ ernors for conduct unbecoming a golfer, a member and a gentleman. Cartoon courtesy of Tom Paprocki Golf's Problem Child “If you are so obtuse that you don’t know you indulge in this annoying habit, it will serve you right if another mem­ ber tells you about it in any words he chooses, and the Club will back him up!” Another Slant The tone of the St. Davids writer is different. Him we visualize as a mellow man, confronted with a vexing problem but not permitting it to affect his diges­ tion. He seems to be a calm individual: were he a judge having to mete out jus­ tice, he would not do so without weigh­ ing carefully the circumstances that led to the crime. The box in the Forword is under the title, “Please!!”, in bold black letters. It is brief but says much: “One of the few remaining privileges we have is to play a game of golf at a rate of speed to suit ourselves. Some of us desire to play slowly—others at a faster pace. However, a foursome must accommodate itself to its slowest member. “Remember that the players behind have just as much right to play FAST as you have to play SLOWLY, and if you choose the latter method, do the proper (Continued on Page 13) USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 7 The State of Amateur Golf By JOSEPH C. DEY, JR. USGA Executive Secretary Suppose the following amateur golfers had been selected as the Walker Cup Team to represent the United States against Great Britain last spring: J. C. Benson, of Pittsburgh, Pa. L. M. Crannell, Jr., of Dallas, Texas. Joseph F. Gagliardi, of Larch­ mont, N. Y. Robert E. Eckis. Jr., of Buffalo, N. Y. Robert W. Kuntz, of Larch­ mont, N. Y. William J. Patton, of Mor­ ganton, N. C. William H. Picard, of Cleve­ land, Ohio. Lloyd D. Ribner, of White Plains, N. Y. Capable golfers, all of them. But none of them was on the Walker Cup Team. They were the players who eliminated the 1951 Walker Cuppers from the Amateur Championship in September at the Saucon Valley Country Club, Beth­ lehem, Pa. This year’s Cup Teain was strong. It had defeated Great Britain abroad, 6 to 3. with three matches halved. It defeated Canada in an informal match at Saucon Valley, 10 to 2. Five of its nine members have won either the American or the British Amateur Championship within the last three years. But not a member of the Team reached the semi-final round at Saucon Valley. Three lost in the first round. Four others lost by the time the fourth round was completed. The basic reason for this state of af­ fairs is found, of course, in the nature of golf itself. It is a game of both un­ usual skill and unusual uncertainty. Play does not follow form with the same fidelity as in many other games. Al­ most any golfer can, upon occasion, outplay the best player for a hole. Therein lies much of the attraction in golf, much of its come-on quality. It is a game for the hopeful. An Appraisal of ihe Game But the exit of the favorites at Sau­ con Valley prompts other thoughts. Any appraisal of competitive amateur golf in our country today produces the fol­ lowing impressions: 1. The number of low handicap players must be at an all-time high. 2. There are many players of na­ tional championship calibre, yet there is no one standout. 3. Despite the quality of play among the best amateurs, it cannot seriously compare with that of the top profes­ sionals. 4. The American game is superior in­ ternationally. 5. There is perhaps a record number of youngsters of real ability. 6. The state of the game is wonder­ fully healthy. These impressions were pretty well confirmed at Saucon Valley. Item 1 was confirmed before the event started— there were 1,416 entrants for the 51st Amateur Championship, about 200 more than the previous all-time record and they all had handicaps not exceeding 4. They were only a portion of the coun­ try’s players with such handicaps. The absence of a real standout among the amateurs sometimes brings on la­ ment among nostalgic old-timers. They sigh for the days of Walter J. Travis, or Jerome D. Travers, or Francis Ouimet and Chick Evans, or Bob Jones, or Law- son Little (before he turned pro). Among them, those six players won 32 national championships here and in Great Britain: Jones won 13. Each was great in his day—a super golfer. Every 8 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 one of them except Travis won the Open Championship; Jones in nine consecutive Opens won four times and was second four times. Since Jones, the gap between top pro golf and top amateur golf has gradually widened with development of the pro circuit. The constant competition of the circuit has evolved a small class of high­ ly skilled pros whose chief activity is playing golf, as distinguished from teaching it. The fact that there is no super-golfer evident among the amateurs is not de­ plorable but, rather, natural. Competi­ tive golf for an amateur is theoretically a secondary interest, subordinate to his vocation. Ronnie White, young English lawyer who is perhaps as skilled an amateur golfer as there is today, didn’t even compete in the British Amateur this year following the Walker Cup Match— he was simply too busy and it was too costly. Several other British Walker Cuppers also abstained. But competitive amateur golf, at least in our country, is in a fine state of repair. There are ever so many players who can beat anybody else upon oc­ casion. Maxwell and Gagliardi For instance, a great many followers of the game never heard of Joe Gagliardi before September 12. The New York attorney then ended Sam Urzetta’s reign as Champion at Saucon Valley — a reign which, incidentally, marked Urzetta as a thorough Champion, as both a player and a person; he was a credit to the game. The next day Gagliardi defeated Char­ ley Coe, the 1949 Champion and one of the best amateurs in the world. A couple of months before Gagliardi had won the Metropolitan Amateur by defeating Jim­ my McHale in the 36-hole final. So here you had three leading members of the Walker Cup Team losing in serious com­ petition to a 39-year-old week-end player. Perhaps you had never heard of Billy Maxwell until he won the Championship this year. His victory, however, was no surprise. The 22-year-old Texas col­ legian has been a promising player for several years. In the 1950 Amateur he reached the fifth round and numbered among his victims Dick Chapman, the present British titleholder. At Saucon Valley, Maxwell had to play well all week long to get past Tom Strange, Jr., Bo Wininger, Harvey Ward, L. M. Crannell, Jr., his North Texas State College teammate who holds the Trans­ Mississippi Championship; Arnold Blum, the Southern Champion, and finally Joe Gagliardi, the bearder of Walker Cup­ pers. Billy Maxwell is one of many young players of real ability. In the last few years it has been interesting to observe the development of a new generation in national competition; the junior cham­ pionships which were started post-war have served a real purpose in this regard. Tommy Jacobs, from Los Angeles, is only 16 years old but he was a semi­ finalist at Saucon Valley; two months earlier he had won the USGA Junior Amateur Championship. Willie Turnesa, the Walker Cup Captain, was put out by young Bill Picard, son of Henry, former PGA Champion. Crannell eliminated Dick Chapman. There are vast numbers of others coming along — to name just a few who played at Saucon Valley: Ken Venturi, San Francisco; Jim Blair, Kansas City; Don Bisplinghoff, Orlando, Fla.; Pat Schwab, Dayton; Gay Brewer, Jr., Lex­ ington, Ky.; Bud Holscher, Santa Mon­ ica, Cal.; Billy Key, Columbus. Ga.; Tim Holland, Rockville Centre, N. Y.; Dave Stanley, Los Angeles; Billy Sixty, Jr., Milwaukee. Whether or not another super-golfer emerges from the new generation is not now important. The thing to cheer about is that amateur competitive golf is healthy and vigorous. The Saucon Valley Job The game is aided immeasurably by tournaments such as Saucon Valley held. The Bethlehem club, with William H. (Continued on Page 24) USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 9 SCENES FROM SAUCON VALLEY TOURNEY'S END — A perfect setting for the end of a well-nigh perfect Amateur Championship. Joe Gagliardi's speech (he is shown making it) was a high spot. CONGRATULATIONS — Finalists clasp hands over Amateur Trophy, with James D. Standish, Jr., USGA President, and Norbone Berkeley, General Chairman of Saucon Valley's committees, in back- ground. INTERVIEW — Maxwell attempts to satisfy the insatiable curiosity of the press, who have cornered him in the USGA Committee Room. LESSON? — John D. Ames, USGA Championship Committee Chairman, demonstrates point (or fault?) for Eugene G. Grace, Chairman of Board of Beth­ lehem Steel Co., who seems skeptical. CHAMPION — 22-year-old Billy Maxwell in an informal moment when he relaxed from the strain of competition. Photos by Alex Bremner 10 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 Golf in Veterans’ Hospitals By HELEN LENGFELD Editor and Publisher, The Golfer As to where the Veterans come in— there are 157 VA hospitals in our coun­ try, and work in them has been one of the AWVS major projects. “Why not a golf club?” was all that was needed to say to Gen. Waldron, Manager of the Palo Alto VA Hospital. Permission was granted, a location selected, and with the help of the local PGA and golf course superintendents’ association, the course was built in record time. Then came the AWVS staffing of both the course, which means golfing with the veterans, and the Club, or Nineteenth Hole, where clubs and balls are handed out for play and soft drinks and cookies are served. This all fell into line quite simply, and in no time the Swing Club program was in full swing. Weekly contests are carried out. Exhibitions by local or touring experts are greatly enjoyed, both (Continued on Page 20) In There Swinging for AWVS Swing Club “AWVS Swings with the Veteran ’ is the title of the monthly section in the AWVS-owned Golfer magazine, and this title often brings forth a lot of questions: Why a dance program in a golf magazine ? What is the AWVS? Why does it own a golf magazine? Where do the Veterans come in? Let’s answer these questions in the order of asking—and at the same time answer the USGA’s request for the AWVS-VA Swing Club story for the USGA Journal. When the first AWVS golf club was opened in the Veterans Administration Hospital, at Palo Alto, Cal., a contest was held by the patients to give their club a name. When the day of judg­ ment came, “Swing Club” won (a golf swing, not a dance!). Through the suc­ cess of the project, the name is now generally used for this hospital golf club plan. The project has been highly praised for its thera­ peutic as well as en­ joyment value by the powers-that-be in the Veterans Administra­ tion at Washington. So it’s a golf pro­ gram in a golf maga­ zine, which is owned by the AWVS - American Women’s Voluntary Services. This con­ nection comes through a need for financial support for AWVS programs, and the need for a year-’round monthly publication to help promote golf. Patty Berg, sparkplug in the AWVS Swing Club Pro­ gram, displays her grip to two disabled Veterans. Photo courtesy The Golfer USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 11 Right out of the Books Golf instruction appears to be an in­ exhaustible subject. New books about it appear frequently and many find their way into the “Golf House” Library. Three which we have received in recent weeks seem unusual in their approach. From these three books we have culled a few random observations or “tips” which may prove of help to the duffer or average golfer, although they may be as second nature to the expert. The following excerpts make no attempt to condense the complete books; they are merely scattered extracts: THE JONES GOLF SWING, WITH PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS BY MANY EXPERTS, as recorded by John Godfrey Saxe (privately printed): (Ernest) Jones teaches that a golfer must not consciously attempt to use movements of the feet, legs, hips, arms or shoulders, or even a pivot, in order to create his swing. He must use only his hands—p. 19. Swing the club-head back lazily, low and along the ground. Do not rush any part of the swing. A swing times itself —p. 22. Do not stop at the ball; swing the club-head through towards the target—p. 24. For a blast (bunker shot), use a wedge, select a definite spot about an inch behind the ball, take a full swing and pay at­ tention to’ that spot until you hear the ball drop on the green. Out of deeper sand, select a spot farther behind a ball. If sand is not thrown, the ball will not rise—p. 33. IT'S THE DAMNED BALL, by Ike S. Handy, (Anson Jones Press): You need think of only two or three things to hit a perfect shot—you can think of millions to make you miss—p. 23. The principal trouble with the average player is that the one thought that per­ vades his mind is one that should be completely absent—the result of the shot —p. 43. Certainly it is true that some speed is required to make it a swing . . . You can’t name very many good golfers who have a noticeably slow backswing. Cer­ tainly there are none among the cham­ pions—p. 47. None can gainsay that if you swing the club right the ball will go where you want it to go—p. 57. 100 HANDY HINTS ON HOW TO BREAK 100, by Mike Weiss (Prentice Hall Co.): You can play golf only when you have forgotten the conscious mechanism of a golf swing and concentrate on stroking the ball—p. 22. If the aprons of the greens are cut and no traps or obstacles interfere, the run-up shot is the safest of all approach shots—p. 74. (If you have a habit of being too short with your putts) I recommend practicing with a Band-Aid pasted on the face of your putter—p. 68. Practice moderately and then only practice the shots in which you feel a lack of confidence—p. 106. In his chapter on trap shots (p. 90), Weiss relates an anecdote in which he went to Fred McLeod for a lesson on getting out of bunkers. McLeod took him out and had him hit a dozen balls to a well-guarded green. Five went into the traps, two others missed the green elsewhere. Then McLeod put down an­ other dozen balls, told him to hit them hard and to try to hit four into each of three traps he pointed out. Result: 11 went on the green, none went into a bunker. Weiss advises: to avoid a bunker, aim for it and hit your shot crisply. Only an expert can hit such a small target. ARE GOLFERS HUMAN?, by Robin­ son Murray (Prentice Hall Co.): You will find no enlightenment on the correct backswing, pivot, choice of club or any other method of play in this book. But you will derive a lot of chuckles from it. 12 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 Why Not SixHole Courses? By WILLIAM B. LANGFORD President, American Society of Golf Course Architects While 18 holes constitute a standard golf course, there is nothing in the Rules which gives any official standing to nine holes as a unit. Limitations of population, resources or ground frequently preclude the construc­ tion of an 18-hole course, and there is a general feeling that in such a case the course built must consist of nine holes. Tradition does not support this feeling. In days of old, golf courses were of widely varying hole numbers. In Scot­ land, Bruntsfield Links, the oldest course in the world where golf is still played, had only six holes; North Berwick, seven; Gullane, 13, and later 15; Musselburgh, five, and later eight; and Montrose, 25. Wimbledon had only seven holes until 1870, when Tom Dunn extended it to 19. At Blackheath, three rounds of the seven-hole layout constituted an official match. The first British Open Cham­ pionship was played at Prestwick in 1860. The course had 12 holes and the cham­ pionship test was three rounds, totaling 36 holes. St. Andrews Influence At St. Andrews they played out from the clubhouse to a series of nine greens, and then back to the same greens to complete an eighteen-hole round. The gradually established pre-eminence of St. Andrews in the world of golf thus set the accidental number of 18 as the stand­ ard for a round of golf, and nine holes as an unofficial unit of such round. The sub-unit of nine holes is mainly used to permit Nassau scoring in team competitions and friendly wagers. How much more interesting six-hole units would be, where one point could be scored for each six holes and two for the match — four games instead of three. When the layout brings the ninth hole to the clubhouse, it permits short rounds William B. Langford and an additional starting point at crowded hours. Were the sixth and the twelfth greens at the clubhouse, these advantages would be greatly enhanced. The principal gain, however, in the recognition of six holes as a standard sub-unit of a complete course is that it would encourage small communities to build six-hole layouts and feel they had a real golf course. In building a six- hole course as compared with the develop­ ment of nine holes, costs are materially slashed, 25 per cent less land is re­ quired (the same clubhouse, parking, service and practice areas are needed for each), a one-third saving is effected in course construction costs, and, when nec­ essary, two men can usually maintain the set-up. Three rounds would make up a standard match and. should future con­ ditions warrant, the six holes may be extended to nine, 12, or 18 holes. The popularizing of six-hole golf courses would not only spread the game to many communities that now feel they cannot afford to build or maintain a golf course, but smaller universities and secondary schools could provide golf for their student bodies, and industrial or­ USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 13 ganizations for their personnel. For this latter group this possibility should be especially valuable at a time when every effort is being made to break up vital manufacturing operations into smaller units located at spots comparatively safe from atom bomb attacks. Six-hole units should not be poor tests of golf ability or monotonous if, in the design, due consideration is given ta hole-length variation and the device of multiple tees is used to the utmost. A suggested yardage table is appended: POSSIBLE MULTIPLE TEE LENGTH VARIATIONS Holes Arranged in Order of Length, Not in Playing Sequence Yards Length A verage 130 190 330 390 450 530 2,020 x 3 6,060 Yards Length Minimum 100 160 300 360 420 490 1,830 x 3 5,490 Par 3 3 4 4 4 5 23 x 3 69 Yards Length Maximum 160 220 360 420 480 570 2,210 x 3 6,630 Par 3 3 4 4 5 5 24 x 3 72 If six-hole courses are accepted, the golfer whose age approaches 60 or i0, and who needs the relaxation and exhila­ ration six holes will bring, can find it without the fatigue and strain which 18 holes sometimes produce. The man who cannot escape the clutches of business before 4 or 5 o’clock can easily get in a full round of six holes just before or after dinner. One will no longer be required to take off half a day to enjoy golf and can, by thus playing at fre­ quent intervals throughout the week, instead of week-ends only, improve his golfing ability beyond belief. Occasionally the opportunity is pre­ sented to use limited areas in congested zones for golf. Witness the Mid-City Golf Course on 60 acres within 20 min­ utes of Chicago’s loop. This course, built on the unstable filled excavation of a huge cl&y pit, has not only transformed an unsightly dump into a park but has provided a valuable recreation ground for the dense population surrounding it. Almost half of its week-day play occurs in the evening after 5 o’clock, when the twilight golfers — few of whom get in over fifteen holes, many nine or less — take their daily workouts after hours of confinement. At luncheon one day last summer in Chicago, Herb and Joe Graffis, of Golf- dom, Bob Harris, golf course architect, Ted Woolley and the writer agreed after a lengthy discussion that the idea of six- hole golf courses was a sound one, that it would enable many more people to enjoy the game, and that its adoption should be encouraged. DIFFERING VIEWS OF CREEPERS (Continued from Page 6) thing and signal to the players behind you to come through.” We confess that this is a viewpoint that had escaped many of us in the up­ roar to speed up play. Regardless of how many are on one side or the other, we salute the writer of the Forword box for at least reminding us that privileges are not confined to those who agree with us. It all boils down to the principle upon which the Constitution of the United States is predicated: our liberties end at the point where they begin to encroach upon the liberties of our fellow men. 14 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 No Expenses in Amateur Team Match Last year the Pacific Northwest and the California Golf Associations sought USGA approval to finance, from their respective Association funds, certain ex­ penses of players in the Morse Trophy Match series between the two groups. After extensive consideration the USGA Executive Committee disapproved, by a large majority, a proposal to amend the USGA By-Laws to permit amateurs to accept expenses in such situations. The vote was overwhelmingly against the pro­ posal. The USGA advised the Pacific North­ west and the California Associations in part as follows: “The Executive Committee’s action was taken after serious consideration and in­ vestigation covering almost a year. While the individual members of the Committee were not obliged to express their views in casting their votes, it may be said that by and large the sentiment was that any relaxation in the present Rules of Amateur Status would be contrary to the best interests of golf. “A number of members of the Com­ mittee felt that although acceptance of expenses in your case might be well controlled, to make a further exception to the Rules of Amateur Status would set up a precedent whose end results could not be foreseen. Such an excep­ tion could, it was pointed out, be used as a subterfuge to pay an individual’s expenses to an individual competition closely related with a team competition. “The Committee was mindful of the general breakdown in standards of amateurism which seems to afflict many games today. They felt that now more than ever those who have golf’s best interests at heart should uphold amateur standards.” Rivals in Morse Cup Match Here are the participants in the 1951 Morse Cup Match, an annual team contest between the Pacific Northwest and the California Golf Associations. Standing, left to right: Ray Weston, Bill Mawhinney, Bob Atkinson, Dick Yost, Harry Givan, Al Mengeri, Forest Watson, non-playing captain, all of the Northwest; Ken Venturi, California; Erv Parent, Northwest; John Dawson, Bruce McCormick, Chapin Hunt, non-playing captain, all of California. Kneeling: Jack Westland, Northwest; John B. Morse, whose father, S. F. B. Morse, donated the trophy; Tai Smith, Jim Ferrie, Bob Gardner, Bob Cardinal and Dr. Bud Taylor, all of California. USGA Journal and Turf Management: Novemrer, 1951 15 Georgia’s Golfing Peaches By ED MILES Golf Editor, The Atlanta Journal Georgia Peaches as a fruit are deli­ ciously edible; the Sweet Young brand is a joy to see on a Peachtree Street stroll, but the golfing species, male or female, has been a source of national and international dyspepsia for more than three decades. When winsome Dorothy Kirby won the USGA Women’s Amateur Championship this last September after 17 years of trying, it marked the 20th time a major golf title was won by an Atlanta Peach. Alexa Stirling, a red-haired, freckled and fiery Scottish lassie, pioneered the parade in 1916 with the first of three consecutive USGA Women’s Amateur Championships. This same year, Bobby Jones, later to become the most famous of all Georgia Peaches, started his title run by taking the Georgia State amateur title as a lad of 14. Jones later won 13 major champion­ ships, winding up with his unique Grand Slam of all four major American and British titles in 1930. Miss Stirling and Jones were con­ temporaneous from the time both put­ tered about the East Lake course with blithe disregard of their nuisance value to their golfing elders. Influence of Stewart Maiden Third in line was Charley Yates, who, like Miss Stirling and Jones, grew up on the East Lake course and finally reached full stature by taking the British Amateur Championship in 1938. This series of successes could be traced back to the caustic but highly effective teaching of a canny Scot named Stewart Maiden, who died only a couple of years ago while still active in harness as pro­ fessional of the newly famous Peachtree Golf Club, conceived and carried to com­ pletion by Bobby Jones. It was Jones. Maiden’s most famous pupil and very likely the most famous pupil ever boasted by a professional, who brought Maiden back to Atlanta in his declining years. Louise Suggs was the fourth Atlanta Peach to achieve international golf suc­ cess. She won the USGA Women’s Amateur in 1947, the British in 1948, and the fledging Women’s National Open in 1949 (not to mention three triumphs in the Western Open). Wilfred Crossley was the kingpin of the unique clean sweep made by Atlanta’s public links team in the 1947 USGA Amateur Public Links Championship. Crossley won the medal, the individual Championship and teamed with Lieut. Walter Browne and Charlie Barnes to take the team trophy. And now, fifth in the illustrious line, Miss Dorothy Kirby. Her victory in this year’s Women’s Amateur was the reward of a patience and perseverance that endured through 17 years of effort and the disappointment of twice losing out in the finals. She was defeated, 3 and 2, by Miss Betty Jameson in 1939, after having been five down at 17, only one down at 27. She lost on the 36th to her one-time fellow townswoman, Louise Suggs, in 1947. What accounts for the golf success of Atlantans? Sunny climes laid end to end through­ out the year—temperatures made to order for peaches and golf. And the inspiration of Bobby Jones. — • — Times Sports Stories A collection of 180 stories and columns running to more than 700 pages will ap­ pear in The Greatest Sports Stories from the New York Times, to be pub­ lished on November 26. The book is edited by Peter Brandwein and Allison Danzig, of the Times sports staff. A number of golf stories on famous events are included. 16 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 The Dr. Livingstone of Golf By HARRY ROBERT USGA Assistant Executive Secretary When Ralph A. Kennedy played the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, on September 17, it was an occasion to chalk up in golf records. St. Andrews was the 3,000th course Mr. Kennedy has played in a pleasantly nomadic career. It achieved an ambi­ tion he had nurtured for years, and it was to be presumed that, having estab­ lished a record which is apparently un­ assailable, he was prepared to rest upon his laurels. Old habits, however, are hard to break. When Mr. Kennedy visited the USGA ^‘Golf House” a few days after his return from abroad, he had already pushed his total to 3,020 courses and was still going strong. Obviously, nobody can say where this thing may end. Mr. Kennedy, a portly man of medium size with a jolly twinkle in his eyes, is a founder-member of the Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, N. Y. He estimates that he has played some 8,500 rounds of golf in his life. Naturally, not all of these have been upon strange courses. If a walk around the average course covers five miles, as generally estimated, then he has tramped golf turf a distance •of nearly twice around the world. He has played the game in 14 countries. He has toured about half of the 5,000 courses in the United States, some 400 in Canada, 20 in South America, all ■eight in Bermuda, and others in Cuba, Central America and Mexico. He added 35 more to his log in his recent 24-day trip to the British Isles: 26 in Scotland, seven in England and two in Ireland. Who's the Champion? He scheduled his trip so that historic St. Andrews would be No. 3,000. On the day he was to record that event, the ground near the starting tee was crowded with onlookers. Worried by the prospect of a gallery, he turned to Ellis Knowles, the former United States Seniors Cham­ pion, and inquired: “Who’s playing here today, some cham­ pion?” “Yes,” replied Mr. Knowles. “Ralph Kennedy.” Mr. Kennedy’s companions on that round were Mr. Knowles, Leonard Craw­ ley and John Beck. The last two have been British Walker Cuppers, Beck a former Captain of the Team. “There were a lot of people watching and I was afraid I would miss my tee shot entirely,” said Mr. Kennedy. “I was in such a daze, I still don’t know who hit that ball. But it was a good drive.” He scored 93 for the round and was well pleased with it. Apropos of this, he does not believe that intimate knowl­ edge of a course and its local conditions is much of an asset in scoring. He generally plays a course better the first time he sees it than upon a return visit. “My club handicap is about ten strokes higher than I can really play,” he said. “I can’t play Winged Foot and it burns me up because I helped found it back in 1921.” Mr. Kennedy does not think of himself as a celebrity but to some extent he is one. When he reached Dublin on his last trip, he arrived on a bus; as he stepped oil, he approached a policeman and asked: “Where do I get a taxi around here?” “I’ll get you one, Mr. Kennedy,” replied the officer, fairly dumbfounding golf’s traveling representative. “He had recognized me from a picture in one of the newspapers that morning,” Mr. Kennedy explained. “But the sur­ prising thing is that I don’t think the picture was very clear and I don’t see how anybody could identify me from it.” USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 17 The Winged Foot man has seen almost every type of course in existence in- the last half-century. -J “I have played desert courses in South America, courses without a blade of grass on them,” he related. “The ball just falls dead where it lands and you find it in a little crater like a nest; then you're allowed to set it up on the nm for your next shot. Of course, you don’t have to be alarmed about getting jnto sand traps there. “The greens on some South American courses are of oiled sand and they hold a shot well. Where Greens Really Burn Out “Cotton seed hull greens are not bad; they hold and they make a pretty good putting surface. You are not allowed to take a cigarette on any cotton seed green because they catch fire very easily and water won’t put the fire out. They burn for days and don’t stop until the seed hulls are burned out.” Mr. Kennedy has many times been asked what are his favorite courses and the worst he has seen. “I won’t name the worst,” he said, “but it’s out in the southwest. The grass is about two feet high, even in the fair­ way; in fact, they have stakes up to mark where the rough starts. You’re allowed to beat the grass away with your club until you can make a swing at the ball.” Among the best, Pine Valley, near Clementon, N. J., and Cypress Point, at Pebble Beach, Cal., stand high on his list, although he believes that for some reason Pine Valley plays a few strokes easier than it did about 20 years ago. “At least, it does for me,” he said. Mr. Kennedy also has a warm regard for Mid-Ocean, in Bermuda; Broadmoor, at Colorado Springs; Capilano, in Van­ couver. B. C., and he considers Jasper Park, in Canada, one of the most scenic. "On 11 of the 18 holes at Jasper Park, majestic mountain peaks are the markers for your line of play,” he remarked. After he had driven at Jasper Park and came walking up to his ball, he found Ralph A. Kennedy a small bear standing over it, sniffing couriously. “What do I do now?” he asked the pro in perplexity. “Oh, he’ll beat it as soon as you get near,” the pro explained, and the pre­ diction was borne out. Some Aces and Variations Mr. Kennedy also likes Augusta Nation­ al, “because it is tough and easy—tough for the good player and easy for the dub.” He scored 82 there the first time he played it. Four times Mr. Kennedy has holed tee shots. Two were legitimate aces, one he scored as a 3 (because his first shot was in a water hazard), and one as a 4. “That last was on the ninth at the Maple Golf Club, Hope Valley, R. I.,” he said. “There is a big maple tree in the line between the tee and the green; the hole is about 170 yards. I played a high 4 wood over the tree and found the ball wedged in the hole but not all below the rim of the cup. “ ‘It’s a hole in one,’ my companions said. “ ‘It is not,’ I said. ‘It’s an unplay­ 18 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 able lie and I have to take it out for a penalty of two strokes and then putt it into the hole.’ We sent a description of the incident to the USGA and my ruling was upheld.” Mr. Kennedy beamed, a somewhat chronic condition. “I liked that better than an ordinary hole-in-one,” he said pleasedly. At Indian Run, near Grand Rapids, Mich., as he addressed his ball on a 110- yard hole, he proclaimed: “Have any of you fellows ever seen a hole-in-one? If not, stand back and watch.” He thereupon knocked the ball into the hole. Mr. Kennedy was introduced to golf in 1910 by a neighbor whose brother had been a college mate at Amherst. Against his wishes he was persuaded to go up and play Van Cortlandt Park. “I got around in 146,” he said. “After that I played there quite often. It was a fine course in those days and it didn’t cost you a cent to play it. I became fascinated by the game.” Mr. Kennedy has played golf ever since. He introduced Mrs. Kennedy to it the very next week. She has played more than 600 courses, and was several times champion of Dunwoodie, the club at Yonkers where they used to play. How It Started Charles Fletcher, an English music hall actor, started Mr. Kennedy on his hobby of collecting courses. He heard Fletcher saying that he held the world record with 240 in 1919. Mr. Kennedy reflected that he had played quite a few courses himself and had attested cards to show for them. He dug them up and discovered they represented 176 different layouts. From that point, he really went in for variety. He passed Fletcher a few years later at 445. He played his 1,000th course on his 50th birthday in 1932; his 2,000th in 1940; his 2,500th was Pebble Beach in 1946, and in September this year he made it 3,000. Mr. Kennedy’s record is completely authenticated, for he always made it a point to have his card at every course dated and attested by an official of the club. He has this collection of cards in a safe deposit box. He intends to present the St. Andrews card for his 3,000th course to the USGA. Mr. Kennedy finds a pronounced dif­ ference in architecture between courses in the United States and Great Britain. “Over here, our courses are compara­ tively easy until we are within 75 to 100 yards of the greens,” he said. “Then they are severely trapped and it takes a well-played shot to get home. The British courses are terrific until you are within about the same distance of the green. Then they are relatively easy; you can roll the ball up to the pin.” No matter how many courses he sees, however, he remains loyal to Winged Foot. I don’t know any course less taxing for the man of advancing age,” he ex­ plained. “There are no hills to climb. Yet, nobody ever murders our par.” — • — THE TRAGEDY OF JOHN SMITH, ESQ. (Continued from Page 5) that even though the former chairman of the committee had done an excellent job and was willing to continue to serve, it was more efficient to follow the well- established policy of making frequent changes. Fortunately, Mr. Smith’s Saturday at the Fairway Country Club is not typical of what happens at the majority of clubs; unfortunately, however, it is no more than a slight exaggeration of the condi­ tions that exist in many. And the lesson, which save for the sake of emphasis could have been expressed in far fewer words, is simply this: No club can afford to neglect its golf course superintendent. His is a hard job requiring considerable technical knowl­ edge and a wide variety of skills. Sup­ port him with the best equipment and all the supplies that the club can afford. Back him up with a strong chairman, and if they make a strong team, don’t change horses. Under such a policy. Mr. Smith and his fellow-members will find far greater enjoyment in their plav. USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 19 The PGA’s Employment Service By DAVE McKAY Vice-president of the Professional Golfers Association of America This year it is my privilege to serve as Chairman of the Committee in charge of the Employment Service through which the Professional Golfers’ Association en­ deavors to fill the requirements of clubs and courses in need of golf professionals. We maintain a list of professional golfers who are members of the PGA and who are seeking positions. Each such member is required to sub­ mit complete details concerning his per­ sonal history, em­ ployment record and other qualifica­ tions. This infor­ mation is available our Head­ quarters Office to prospective employers who are interested in specific applicants for positions. Dave McKay As an equally important part of this service, we gladly entertain the inquiries of those seeking the services of compe­ tent professional golfers. In turn, these folks are asked to submit complete details about the openings which exist, and this information is thereafter transmitted to all PGA members seeking positions. Those interested are asked to make ap­ plication to the prospective employer in writing, providing references and com­ plete details as to personal history, background and qualifications. This procedure is essential in an or­ ganization such as the PGA, inasmuch as the same courtesies must be accorded to all members alike and as the Associa­ tion cannot operate in the same fashion as a commercial employment agency. However, it also reacts to the advantage of prospective employers, in that they are thus enabled to secure a complete cross­ section of available material without ob­ ligation and to make their own choices on the basis of the applications they re­ ceive. Many employers screen such ap­ plications and arrange to interview per­ sonally a limited number of those who appear to be the most likely candidates. While this service is of definite as­ sistance to members of the PGA, one of its principal objectives is to aid the clubs and courses of the country to secure the services of professionals who are thor­ oughly capable. These pre-requisites are assured by the standards which the PGA has established for all members. The use of our service further assures employers that their professionals will be integral parts of all activities being carried on continuously by the PGA for the pro­ motion of golf, and that they will be up to date on the most modern features of their every-day duties. No Job Chiseling One thing which makes it essential that the PGA proceed very cautiously in effectuating contacts of this kind is the requirement of its Constitution which prohibits a member from soliciting a position occupied by another. We are quite proud of the record we have achieved on this score for. despite the fact that the PGA places from 40 to 50 professionals annually, we have not encountered one reported instance where this service has transgressed upon the relationship of a member with his club. For this remarkable record, we are greatly indebted to those clubs and courses which it has been our privilege to serve. We are equally indebted to them for having accorded us the privilege of servicing their requirements. Their pa­ tronage, together with that extended to our local Sections which have similar employment services of their own, speaks well for their confidence in the PGA and the calibre of its membership. 20 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November. 1951 Happy International Relations This has been a notable year in inter­ R. AND A. CAPTAIN national relations in golf. It began with conferences looking to a world-wide code of Rules, among Bri­ tish, Australian, Canadian and American representatives. Our Walker Cup team played a Match abroad in the spring and an informal one with Canada in Septem­ ber. Dick Chapman won the British Amateur, and Bobby Knowles won the French Amateur. American women pros made a successful tour of Britain. Bobby Locke, from South Africa, and Roberto DeVicenzo, from the Argentine, gave spice to open tournaments here. The British Ryder Cup Team came over in the autumn. And Francis Ouimet be­ came the first American Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. An­ drews, Scotland. Those are international high points which come readily to mind. Doubtless there were a good many others. They all add up to the fact that there has been great development this year in simple friendship and understanding among golfers of many lands. This is wonderfully exemplified by the creation of one code of Rules to apply throughout the golf world. Recommen­ dations of the conferees in last spring’s meetings abroad were adopted by the USGA during the summer. The final step was approval by the membership of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club; the vote was overwhelmingly in favor. Now the revised code will go into ef­ fect January 1, 1952. The sole point of difference is the diameter of the golf ball, and that difference is 6/100 of an inch. The British minimum is 1.62 inches; our is 1.68, except that in inter­ national team competitions here the British size ball may be used. Relations between the Royal and An­ cient. Britain’s golf-governing authority, and the USGA could scarcelv be hap­ pier. There have been and will continue Francis Ouimet, first American to be honored with the captaincy of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews, Scotland, driving himself into office in the annual ceremony. A cannon shot signalizes the act at precisely 8 A. M. to be a completely free exchange of views. The Royal and Ancient has 842 mem­ bers at home and 200 abroad. Captain Ouimet is one of 64 American members. — ® — GOLF IN VETERANS HOSPITALS (Contin'.'e4 from Pa~e 10) professional and amateur, including members of the Women’s PGA who have taken this on as a pet project. The VA in its delight over its program at Palo Alto carried national publicity in its official bulletins. As a consequence, there are now several AWVS-VA Swing Clubs in operation, with many requests still to be filled in all four corners of our U. S. A. The PGA has set up an AWVS-VA Hospital National Committee with Eddie Duino of San Jose, Cal., as Chairman. He co-operated wonderfully in making the Palo Alto Swing Club possible when he was President of the PGA of North­ ern California. USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 21 “Golf House” is International Although “Golf House” is essentially a home of American golf, it is in fact inter­ national in the support it has been given by golfers. Attention was turned to this aspect recently when a contribution was received from Mr. Anders Johnson, of Gothenburg, Sweden, for the fund being raised for the USGA Golf Museum and Library and general headquarters in New York. When the files of “Golf House” Found­ ers were checked, it was disclosed that donations have come from seven countries in addition to the United States. Canada is represented by the Royal Canadian Golf Association, in addition to, individuals. From England have come donations from Leonard Crawley, golf editor of the London Daily Telegraph, and Percy B. Lucas, Member of Parlia­ ment and Captain of Britain’s 1949 Walker Cup Team. Japan is included by a donation from Koganei Golf Club of Tokyo. La Paz Golf Club and Albert E. Es- colme have sent contributions from Bo­ livia. Richard H. Wilson forwarded a donation from Colombia, and H. S. Scheppey sent one from Cuba. The “Golf House” Fund now slightly exceeds $84,000; about $20,000 more is needed to finish the job. Contributions of any amount are wel­ come, and one of any size makes the donor a Founder of “Golf House”. Con­ tributions should be sent to: USGA Golf House Fund 40 East 38th St. New York 16, N. Y. Following are Founders not previously recorded in the Journal: B Charles V. Benton John A. Booth c Percy I. Clark Stanley M. Clark Fred J. Corcoran Henry P. Cowen Daniel Crowley F Charles W. Fawcett In memory of Dr. G. W. Foelschow by Mrs. G. W. Foelschow H Paul R. Harrington, M. D. Albert Healey John A. Hisey I Frank 1. Invernizzi J Milton A. Jentes Anders Johnson K Mrs. E. D. Keeffe Anthony G. Koegel L Homer Lichtenwolter, Jr. Malcolm R. Longshore M George H. Marston Norman McCormick Harry McGrath o Victor Oberhammer P Harold D. Paddock, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. J. M. Painter R Gaillard F. Ravenel Fergus Reid, Jr. Robert D. Rickey s WiJiam Sterling, Jr. Ma'colm E. Stone T Mrs. Joanne Barr Tracy William E. Tracy Zigfield A. Troy w G. H. Walker Mrs. George Weinhagen, Jr. William T. Woodson CLUBS Melrose Country Club, Pa. Philadelphia Country Club, Pa. Pittsburgh Field Club, Pa. Washington Golf and Country Club, Va. Waverley Country Club, Ore. ASSOCIATIONS The Connecticut Women's Golf Association Jacksonville Women's Golf Association, Fla. Women's Long Island Golf Association Women's Maine State Golf Association Better Forgotten The golfer does not think as he plays his stroke of the 101 muscular contrac­ tions which, accurately co-ordinated, re­ sult in his making a fine drive or a per­ fect approach. His “sub-Iiminal self,” his "’unconscious cerebrations,” attend to these details without his conscious inter­ vention. Sir Ray Lankester In Praise of Golf 22 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 THE REFEREE Decisions by the USGA Rules of Golf Committee Example of symbols: "No. 51-1" means the first decision issued in 1951. "R 7(3)" means Section 3 of Rule 7 in the 1951 Rules of Golf. Ordering Opponent’s Caddie from Flag No. 49-30. R. 1(2a), 2(1), 7(7). Q.: In match play, A sends his caddie to attend the flagstick while B plays. Before playing, B orders A’s caddie away from the hole, leaving the flagstick unattended. B’s hall strikes the flagstick. A claims the hole on the ground that B refused to allow A’s caddie to attend the flagstick. Should A’s claim be up­ held? Question by: Haynes Waters Savannah, Ga. A.: Under Rule 7(7), either side was en- tilled to have the flagstick removed at any time, but in the present case the right was not exercised. B then had a secondary right to, have his own caddie attend the flagstick, but he did not exercise that right. A then was entitled to have his caddie attend the flagstick. But B refused to allow this. If A condoned B’s action, through either inertia or ignorance of his rights, he forfeited the right to make a subsequent claim. On the other hand, if A made a real objection before B played and entered claim under Rule l(2a), B lost the hole. See also Rule 2(1). Editor’s note: The above decision, issued in 1949, is reprinted because of the number of parallel questions received in recent months. Lost Ball: An Unfair Local Rule No. 51-34. R. 8(1), LR Our club is contemplating changing the rul­ ing on lost hall, as follows: “If hall is deemed lost, player must drop a ball at the approximate spot where hall was lost and add one penalty stroke, with no option of returning to original spot where ball was last played.” This change is very controversial and was finally passed by bare majority. Q. 1: If a player should play according to USGA Rules and returns and plays another ball, would he automatically be disqualified although there was no infraction of USGA Rules? A. 1: The question is for the local committee to settle. The USGA cannot answer questions involving local rules which directly conflict with the established Rules of Golf. Q. 2: To what extent should it be possible or permissible for a club to rewrite rules that directly contradict USGA and local course rules? A. 2: Any local rule should be in harmony New Rules Book Ready in December Copies of the new Rules of Golf Code which becomes effective January 1, 1952 will be available from the USGA some time in December. Prices will be: 1 to 1,000 copies — 25c each 1,001 to 5,000 copies — 20c each more than 5,000 copies — 15c each Orders should be sent to: United States Golf Association 40 East 38th Street New York 16, N. Y. with the spirit of the Rules of Golf. If it is not, then the game is not golf, and it is difficult if not impossible to apply the principle of equity which underlies all the Rules of Golf. The local rule described for a lost ball is in direct conflict with Rule 8(1). Similar local rules have been tried previously, and have been found wanting. By and large, there is simply no way to tell the approximate spot where a ball was lost—the ball either is lost, or it is not lost; and if it is lost, who is to say where it is? The local rule in question is palpably un­ fair and unworkable. It gives the player an un­ due right to exercise his discretion as to whether his ball is lost and, if so, where. The Rules of Golf represent the accumulated experience of many people who have devoted themselves to the game’s interests over many years in many lands. The Rules have been tested by time. The USGA recommends that they be uniformly observed, as being productive of the greatest good for all. Questions by: George Hayamoti Spokane, Washington Striking Flagstick from Bunker No. 51-31. R. 7(8), 12(4c) Q. 1: If your ball strikes the flagstick when playing from a bunker within 20 yards of the hole, are you penalized two strokes in stroke play? A. 1: Yes. See Rule 7(8). Striking Fellow-Competitor's Ball Q. 2: When playing from a bunker within 20 yards of the hole, if your ball strikes the ball of a fellow-competitor on the putting green, USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 23 are you penalized two strokes in stroke play? A. 2: No. A penalty is incurred only when both balls are on the putting green—see Rule 12 (4c). Questions by: Mrs. R. C. Lundahl, Pres. St. Louis Women’s Dist. Golf Ass’n. Clayton- 24, Mo. ended when X and Y agreed that X had won by 2 and 1. Y’s subsequent claim was not valid—see Rule 1 (2a). However, if the committee in charge approved resumption of the match, its decision must stand — see Rule 1(2). Committee Must Correct Mistake Scores May Be Cancelled No. 51-35. R. 20 (3a) Q.: During the qualifying for our tournament, contestants could play any day of the week. On Thursday, it rained very hard and we had only four teams qualifying. Two teams quit, the other two finished. One of the golf committee told the teams who quit they could play again. As long as the other two could replay, 1 told those who played out that they were entitled to replay also, as the whole play should be cancelled. Since the teams who quit were told they could replay long before the others on the course finished, I said they should have been notified, also. Did I do the right thing? Also, did the committee- man have the right to tell anyone they could replay because of weather conditions? Question by: Willie Klein, Professional Wheatley Hills Golf Club East Williston, N. Y. A.: Under the provisions of Rule 20(3a), the committee may at any time declare play null and void and may cancel all scores for the round in question if it consider the course un­ playable or that insufficient light renders proper play impossible or if it would be inequitable to order resumption of play as provided in Rule 20(3). In the particular case, it would seem ad­ visable to apply Rule 20(3a) and to start all over again. Tardy Claim in Match Play No. 51-55. R. 1(2, 2a). Q.: X and Y played a match in the semi­ final round. At the end of 17 holes, X having won the 17th, X announced that she was the winner, 2 and 1, and X and Y thereupon shook hands, declaring the match at an end. They played the 18th hole, X scoring a 7 and Y scoring a 6. They then adjourned to the clubhouse, posted X as the winner and re­ turned home. Subsequently, Y telephoned X that they had made an error, that at the end of 16 holes they had been even and X not 1 up; that at the end of 17 holes X had been 1 up and not 2 up, that since Y had won the 18th, the match was even. X, an inexperienced player, consented to resume the match from the 19th hole and Y thereupon won that hole. I would appreciate your telling me what to do under these circumstances. Question by: Mrs. Charles Sabin 205 Buckingham Ave. Trenton, N. J. A.: Ender the Rules of Golf, the match No. 51-57. R. l(2b, 3), 21 (4b). Q.t In a recent medal play golf match the scores of all players were signed, attested, checked and entered on the tournament record and the winning team was designated. After returning home, the losing team discovered an error in the totaling of the score of one member of the winning team. This error was brought to the attention of the winning team and without question the error was corrected, thus causing the designated winning team to lose. Since that time we have been told by our professional that such a change is not ac­ cording to USGA Rule, and that the points for this match must remain as originally posted. Will you please advise if this is the correct ruling? The scoring committee was made up of members of both teams. Question by: Mrs. L. C. Shriver 623 Edmondson Ave. Baltimore 28, Md. A.: As provided in Rule 21 (4b), the com­ mittee in stroke play is responsible for addi­ tion of hole-by-hole scores. The committee is obliged to correct any mistake in addition which it may make, regardless of when the mistake be discovered. See also Rule 1 (2b and 3). Status of Player Who Defaults No. 51-60. Tourn. Q.: If a person defaults in the first round, is she eligible to compete in the beaten eight? Question by: M-s Margaret Vann- 40 Shorthill Rd. Forest Hills. N. Y. A.: As the Rules of Golf do not apply, the matter rests with the local committee. If the player started the match and then defaulted, we would recommend that she be allowed to compete in the beaten eight. If the player did not play and had no good reason for defaulting, we would consider that she had eliminated herself from further com­ petition. Wrong Information from Forecaddie No. 51-61. R. 13(1). 15( Def.). Def. 10. Q.: During match play A and B both drive ir to a water hazard. A forecaddie employed by the committee points out a ball in the hazard which lit* tells A is his. A plavs the hall. B then picks a ball out of the water sup­ posing it is hi>. He discovers that the ball i> A's. The ball played by A belonged to B. 1 ruled that A had lost the hole under Rule 24 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 13(1). Some question has been raised as to the correctness of this ruling because the mis­ take occurred through wrong information given by a forecaddie, as provided in Rule 13(lb). I considered that the forecaddie therein was governed by “his”, and referred only to the opponent’s forecaddie. Question by: Norman B. Beecher, Chairman Rules Committee Biltmore Forest Country Club Biltmore, N. C. A.: Your decision was right. The forecaddie mentioned in Rule 13 (lb) belongs, in effect, to the opponent’s side. The forecaddie in the case described is an outside agency (see Definition 10 and Rule 15(Def.)), and information from him has no more weight than information from any other outside agency, such as a spectator. A was not relieved of the responsibility of identifying his ball before playing it. When Obstruction Is Out of Bounds No. 51-62. R. 7(4). Q.t A player’s ball came to rest in the rough three inches inside line of out-of-bounds stakes, but only five or six inches from front of building used as a shelter, which building is on ground out of bounds. It was impossible to stroke ball in desired direction or even take a stance. Under Rule 7 (4b), may a player drop ball in the rough not nearer the hole without pen­ alty? (Sketch submitted). Question by: F. B. Lukens 125 Parkview Ave. Syracuse, N. Y. A.: Conditions beyond a boundary line do not entitle a player to relief in playing a ball lying within bounds. Rule 7 (4) refers only to artificial obstructions within the limits of the course. As is always possible, the local committee could afford relief by local rule if it were deemed advisable. Friend Posing as Caddie No. 51-64. Def. 10, R. 1(1), 2(1), 4(1) Q.: In the USGA Rule Book, I find that a caddie is defined as a person who carries the golfer’s clubs. Also (I am now speaking of a singles match), he is the only one from whom the player who hired him can accept advice. Players A and B are engaged in a singles match. Player A has just eliminated player C. Now player B, facing A, hires himself a caddie to carry his clubs and brings player C along for consultation, and I mean consultation! Both players A and B agree mutually that player C shall hold the flagstick on all holes. Other duties of player C consist of cleaning player B’s ball once in a while in order to make him the “official” caddie in the eyes of the referee. The caddie who actually carried player B’s clubs kept himself discreetly in the background. I am wondering if player C in this case would be accepted as the official caddie, per­ mitted to give advice, or should player B have been penalized according to USGA Rules. Question by: William R. Schettler 518 Noble Ave. Lawrence Park Erie, Pa. A.: The fact that B hired a caddie to carry his clubs establishes this person as B’s caddie within the meaning of Definition 10. If B sought advice or took any action which might have resulted in his receiving advice except from this caddie, he violated Rule 4(1), the penalty for which is loss of hole—see Rule 2(1). As there was a referee for the match, at­ tention is called to the fact that, under Rule 1(1), a referee’s decision is final. THE STATE OF AMATEUR GOLF (Continued from Page 8) Johnstone as President and Norborne Berkeley as General Chairman, did a superlative job in preparing facilities for players and spectators alike. More than that, they created an atmosphere of warm friendship which made everybody feel at home. Competitors in general have never had a happier time. The spirit of amateurism prevailed, even to the Club’s production of a hand­ some Championship program without ad­ vertisements. Saucon Valley received letters of praise for the program from as far away as Europe and South Amer­ ica. Admissions receipts were about $48,- 000, including taxes — second largest “gate” in Amateur Championship history. A player’s dinner preceded the tourna­ ment. The USGA instituted this feature last year, and it has served a splendid purpose of bringing everybody together in good fellowship and mutual under­ standing. Guiding spirit in Saucon Valley’s plan­ ning was Eugene G. Grace. As a maker of steel, he holds a foremost place among world industrialists. As a lover of all that is best in golf, he holds a foremost place in the affections of those who spent that bright September week at Saucon Valley. USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 25 Correspondence pertaining to Green Section matters should be addressed to: . USGA Green Section, Room 331, Administration Building, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md. REPORT OF 1951 NATIONAL TURF FIELD DAYS Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Maryland The meeting of the turf workers got under way at the Plant Industry Station Auditorium at 6 o’clock, Sunday evening, October 7. Reports of research workers from co-operating stations across the United States held the audience of 75 until after 10 o’clock. A. M. Radko, Green Section Agrono­ mist, conducted the meeting after Dr. Fred V. Grau, USGA Green Section Di­ rector, opened the conference. Reports from those who could not attend were read. A wire recording was made by the West Point (Pa.) Products Co., who plan to distribute transcriptions to those in attendance. In addition to the projects listed in our 1951 Turf Research Review, it was brought out that Poa annua will get a great deal of attention from several experiment stations. The grasses which received most fav­ orable comment included Merion blue­ grass, Meyer (Z-52) zoysia. Tifton 57 bermudagrass, the new red fescues, and the new' polycross bent seed. Congres­ sional (C-19) bent got honorable men­ tion for snowmold resistance. Remarks from J. H. Boyce, Canada; Dr. Dudley Meredith. Africa; and Prof. Gunnar Turf Management and Turf Research Review These valuable publications are still available but we're running short on TURF RESEARCH RE­ VIEW. The book, TURF MANAGEMENT (McGraw- Hill, $6.00) and the Green Section's booklet (TURF RESEARCH REVIEW) should be on every turf superintendent's (and green chairman's) shelf for reading this winter when play is slow or ncn-existent. These publications are milestones on the road of progress. We want each of our readers to share the information which we have compiled. Torstensson, Sweden; gave an interna­ tional flavor. On Monday morning. Dr. R. M. Salter, Chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry, welcomed the group at the Turf Gardens. Remarks by Dr. Meredith and Prof. Tor­ stensson prepared the way for the tour of the plots. The speakers were aided by a loudspeaker loaned to the Green Section by the University of Maryland. Mimeo­ graphed programs described the various features in the Turf Gardens, leaving more time for discussion and note-tak­ ing. There were 225 registrations represent­ ing 24 states and Canada, Sweden and South Africa. Virtually every southern state was represented. Distant points in- 26 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 Z-52 Zoysia Proves its Golf Fitness Under urging of Dr. Fred V. Grau, Ed Tabor, West Shore Country Club, Harrisburg, Pa., tries close-mowed, dense, tight turf of zoysia (from Z-52 seed), combined with Merion bluegrass. "Just about perfect," Ed commented. eluded Texas, Florida, Missouri, Iowa, Oregon, Michigan, and Illinois. Golf shots hit by Ed Tabor, West Shore Country Club, Harrisburg, Pa., showed the high quality fairway turf composed of zoysia from Z-52 seed and Merion bluegrass. The Z-52 seed was planted in August and the Merion seed was sown into the zoysia turf the fol­ lowing May. This was the wrong time to seed both grasses, according to popular beliefs; yet the turf was perfect for golf. Although never irrigated, it had a firm cushion and good color. The weed free condition was natural, unaided by chemicals. Merion and Z-52 Praised It was clearly evident that the best turf resulted from the use of superior grasses which are disease-resistant and drought- tolerant. Merion bluegrass and Z-52 zoysia, alone and in combination, brought forth exclamations of praise. Some were skeptical that these two grasses could live together. Seedsmen wonder when there will be enough seed of the better grasses to meet demand. Golf course superintendents want to know how they best can convert to the improved grasses where they are adapted. The trip to the East Potomac Golf Course brought out the fact that U-3 ber- muda and Merion bluegrass may have real promise for putting green turf on public courses (where these grasses are adapted), where water is limited and traffic is severe. Combinations of U-3 ber- muda and various bentgrasses are under trial, too. Zoysia grasses also are being tested for various uses. Here are a few statements from the after-dinner program at the Prince Georges Golf and Country Club: Research, by Dr. Fred V. Grau: “The ultimate goal in research never is reached. Research is essential to prog­ ress so that recommendations can be based upon fact, not opinion.” Resident Teaching, by H. B. Mus­ ser (Col. USAFR): “What not to teach may be the more important. A teaching program needs a strong body of facts. Theory must be tied to the Art of Turf Management.” Extension Service, by C. K. Hallo­ well: “The important thing in extension is to give people what they want and to develop the program at the local level. The people must be kept informed.” Industrial Service, by W. E. Lafkin (for O. J. Noer): “Teamwork between all phases of turf work is essential. In­ dustry has contributed many things, in­ cluding better machinery, mowing and aerifying equipment, better service and repairs, new chemicals, and improved turf seeds in commercial quantities under a high code of ethics. Television has a great future in promoting better turf but education must be tempered with com­ USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 27 mercialism because someone must pay the bill.” These responses followed the forego­ ing presentations: For Golf, by Richard S. Tufts, Chair­ man, USGA Green Section Committee, “Let us each one accept the future as a challenge and w’ork together to provide golf for more people at less cost.” For the Golf Course Superinten­ dents, by Willis H. Glover, for A. M. Brown: “Co-operative effort is the key to success. We, as golf course superin­ tendents, need to use all available knowl­ edge, decide what we need most, and provide the necessary leadership.” For Athletic Fields, by M. E. Farn­ ham: “People in charge of athletic field turf are in the same position that golf course superintendents were 30 years ago. They need extension type of service more than anything else but first they need to get together and decide what they want.” For Lawns, by William Bonnell: “Re­ search is far ahead of the ability of lawn owners to assimulate the available infor­ mation. What wre need is an improved system of Extension activity.” For Cemeteries, by C. R. Runyan: “The improved grasses being developed by the USGA Green Section and others will go far in providing cemeteries with good turf which can be maintained eco­ nomically.” For Highways, by H. B. Musser (for Wesley Hottenstein) : “Greater econ­ omy in establishing and maintaining better turf and ground cover along high­ ways is the essence of the highway re­ search program in Pennsylvania.” For the Armed Services, by R. H. Morrish I Col. USAFR) : “Unification among the armed services at the work­ ing level in things agronomic is a matter of record. We depend upon established research agencies such as the USGA Green Section and the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and State Experiment Stations for information on turf.” For Canada and the Royal Canad­ ian Golf Association, by C. E. Robin­ son and J. H. Boyce: “Compaction of the subsoil is of real importance in some countries and may require extensive re­ adjustment of our future thinking in soils problems. We appreciate the help we get from the USGA Green Section.” For South Africa, by Dr. Dudley Meredith: “I am impressed by the fine National Turf Program which you have. I am also impressed by the fact that at the great halls of learning in things agro­ nomic they have lawns of practically nothing but crabgrass.” More Publicity Needed On Tuesday, October 9, some 40 turf enthusiasts took advantage of the tour to the Fairfax Country Club, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents. Many in at­ tendance had made the tour last year, which leads us to believe that insufficient publicity is being given to one of the most important features of our National Turf Field Days. Comments at Fairfax indicated a desire to include this same tour at all National Turf Field Days. Willis H. Glover, Golf Course Super­ intendent, Fairfax Country Club, showed the crowd some of the most beautiful putting greens in the country. Outstand­ ing were the combinations of Arlington (C-l), Congressional (C-19), and Col­ lins (C-27) bentgrasses. Bill believes that proper basic construction is all import­ ant under conditions of heavy plav and emphasized this point repeatedly. Other general observations by the group in­ dicated that (1) Flexicombs were doing a marvelous job of controlling crabgrass on the fairways. (2) plantings of Z-52 zoysia and U-3 bennuda show’ consider­ able promise in providing better plaving conditions, and (3) John Connolley and Bill Glover, owner and superintendent, respectively, have provided one of the finest public golf courses in America as a result of close supervision with the architect and contractor during the es­ tablishment period, and close attention to high maintenance standards through­ out the ensuing years. 28 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 FROM THE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS The Golf Course Budget Before the end of the year, in many, many cases, the golf course superintend­ ent will present his 1952 operating budg­ et, covering the expenses to do the job with which he is charged. With some clubs his duties may cover only main­ tenance of the course and equipment; with others, it may include the care of all property within the club grounds such as swimming pool, tennis court, skeet and trap shooting grounds, toboggan slides, ad infinitum. The first item that should appear is the salary paid the supereintendent. Direc­ tors would do well to protect their club’s interests by assuring their golf course superintendent that his services were ap­ preciated and he was being increasingly compensated during these days of rising living costs. There have come to our attention this season instances of “Pirat­ ing” where, other things being equal, the increase in salary was the only induce­ ment for a superintendent moving to an­ other club. A properly paid superin­ tendent knows that his efforts are ap­ preciated and will endeavor to do more than his share. The second item should be a sum to cover the expense of the superintendents’ dues of his professional associations and societies, expenses to attend local, state, sectional and national meetings of his profession and subscriptions to such trade journals and books as he needs. One valuable item learned or acquired through such meetings or in a report when applied to the golf course grounds might well pay for such expenses many times over. Superintendents from many sections of the country can support this statement. Both full-time and part-time labor for the golf course is becoming increasingly more difficult to attract and hold. Super­ intendents feel that 1952 will see these labor costs rise from 10% to 15%. The year ’round labor crew, which should include the key men, should, of course, be paid a premium rate. Some clubs do this by establishing a monthly wage and include time off for holidays, verified sickness and vacation with pay. Part time labor is often not available during the busy spring and fall months. The budget should indicate this percentage increase necessary for a good crew. Costs Are Up One bright spot in a budget is the small rise in electrical power costs used for water pumping. However, almost all other services, materials and equipment used on a golf course today have in­ creased in price. In addition to the specific pieces of equipment known to be needed, provi­ sion should be made for a contingency or equipment replacement up to §1,000. Some superintendents have not had this in their budget and maintenance has been hindered during the playing season be­ cause something broke down. Fertilizers, fungicides and insecticides should all be considered in their proper place, as well as anticipated replacement or repairs to water systems, tile lines, roadways, bridges, etc. Judicious expense to maintain a well groomed course is the aim of today’s golf course superintendent. By knowing he has the full confidence and support of his green chairman, directors and the club membership, he will do his level best to abide by his budget. There will be many new green chair­ men elected who must acquaint them­ selves with the complexities of the golf course operation and maintenance. Often the superintendent would like to see this appointment or election come less often. It would afford him a better USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 29 Turf Workers at National Field Days Some of those in attendance at Beltsville Turf Gardens. Left to right: Ian Forbes. Jr.. USDA; B. P. Robinson, Georgia; Jack Harper and Prof. H. B. Musser, Penn State; A. M. Radko and Dr. Fred V. Grau, USGA Green Section; J. M. Boyce, Ottawa, Canada; H. L. Lantz, Iowa; James Tyson, Michigan; Dr. J. A. DeFrance, Rhode Island; Ed Merkel, Penn State; K. T. Payne, Purdue. chance to present his picture to the green chairman and in turn would offer the green chairman a more stable footing from which to address the directors. Con­ tinued close harmony between these two men proves beneficial. The operating budget is the guide for practical, economical maintenance. It can be set up on a yearly or a monthly basis carrying cumulative totals for a year or season. A small budget does not mean that the course will be in poor shape nor will an extremely large budget indicate the course will be the best in the area. — © — COMING EVENTS October 22-23: Oklahoma Turf Conference. Okla­ homa Turf Association and Oklahoma A. & M. College, Stillwater, O'tla. H. F. Murphy. October 24-26: Turf Conference. Central Plains Turf Foundafon and Kansas State College, Manhattan, Kans. L. E. Lembert and Ray A. Keen. November 6-7: Turf Conference. Northwest Turf Association and Washington State College, Pul'man, Wash. Ivan W. lee, 705 Fourth Ave., Seattle 4, Wash. November 3-9: Northern California Turf Con­ ference. University of California at Berkeley, Calif. J. J. McElroy. November 14: Fall Turf Meeting. Southern Cali­ fornia Turf Conference. University of Cali­ fornia, Los Angeles, Calif. V. T. Stoutemyer. December 12-14: Turf Conference. Texas Turf Association. Texas A. & M. College, College Station, Texas. J. R. Watson, Jr., College Sta­ tion, Texas. 19 5 2 January 2-4: Northeastern Weed Control Con­ ference. Hotel New Yorker, New York City. Walter C. Jacob, Long Island Vegetable Research Farm, Riverhead, N. Y. January 8-9: Turf Conference. Mid-Atlantic As­ sociation of Golf Course Superintendents, lord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore, Md. E. N. Cory, University of Maryland, College Park, Md. January 21-25: One-week course in Turf Man­ agement. Rutgers University, New Bruns­ wick, N. J. Ralph E. Engel. February 4-8: Twenty-third National Turf Con­ ference and Show of the Golf Course Super­ intendents Association of America. The Neil House, Columbus, Ohio. A. M. Brown, Box 106, St. Charles, III. February 18-21: Turf Conference. The Pennsyl­ vania State College and Turf Advisory Com­ mittee. State College, Pa. H. B. Musser. March 3-6: Turf Conference. Midwest Regional Turf Foundation and Purdue University. West Lafayette, Ind. W. H. Daniel. March 13-14: Twenty-first Annual Turf Conference. Michigan State College, East Lansing, Mich. James W. Tyson. 30 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 195i MEYER (Z-52) ZOYSIA By Fred V. Grau, Director, and Alexander M. Radko, Agronomist, USGA Green Section What is Meyer (Z-52) zoysia? Meyer (Z-52) zoysia is a strain of Zoysia japonica which produces a turf somewhat finer in texture than that pro­ duced by common Japanese lawngrass (Zoysia japonica). It appears to be a type intermediate between common zoy­ sia and manilagrass (Zoysia matrella). It was selected at Arlington in 1941 and it has been grown at Arlington and at Beltsville since that time. What is the significance of the name “Meyer”? Frank N. Meyer was a plant explorer for the Division of Plant Exploration and Introduction for the Bureau of Plant In­ dustry. He was born in Holland in 1875; while he lived in the United States, he resided in California, Missouri, and Washington, D. C. He lived in Washing­ ton while he worked for the Government. Mr. Meyer’s first exploration in Korea was in August 1905. The first collection of zoysia seed was made by him July 15, 1906. It was received by the Department of Agriculture, November 13, 1906, as PEI #19425. This seed was collected in Korea and came in as Zoysia pungens. Later this name was changed to Oster- damia pungens and still later to Zoysia japonica, the name it carries today. The last expedition made by Frank N. Meyer was in 1918. On June 1, 1918, his body was found floating in the Yang­ tze (Yellow) River. It was assumed that he had drowned. What is the range of adaptation? Meyer zoysia has been tested quite widely and is now under increase in at least 15 states. It should do well in most locations within the triangular area which has as its points Philadelphia, St. Louis and Norfolk. This is the area com­ monly known as the “crabgrass belt”. In this area crabgrass is a serious pest, and Meyer zoysia is a serious competitor to crabgrass. Meyer zoysia is giving a good account of itself at these points: Kings- NEW GREEN SECTION SERVICE SUBSCRIBERS Bunton Seed Co., Louisville, Ky. California Spray-Chemical Co., Richmond, Calif. Dillon, C. Douglas, Far Hills, N. J. Garland Manufacturing Co., Detroit, Mich. Langford, Wm. E., Chicago, III. Letherman's Seed Co., Canton, Ohio Means, Gardiner C., Vienna, Va. Milan, Jack, Baltimore, Md. Maryland National Capital Parks & Planning Commission, Silver Spring, Md. Miller Products Co., Portland, Ore. Moss, T. J., Big Horn, Wyo. Patten, Lee, Seed Co., Jersey City, N. J. *Piping Rock Club, Locust Valley, N. Y. Sears, Roebuck & Co., Chicago, III. Sowa Chemical Co., New York, N. Y. Spears, Woodford, & Sons, Paris, Ky. Tait, Geo., & Sons, Inc., Norfolk, Va. Yuma County Farmers' Marketing Assn., Yuma, Ariz. * The first golf club in the United States and also the first USGA member club to take out a Green Section Service Subscription. ton, R. L; Long Island; New Brunswick, N. J., Philadelphia and State College, Pa.; Washington, D. C.; University of Virginia; Pinehurst, N. C.; Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville and Lexing­ ton, Ky.; St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo.; Omaha, Neb.; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Los Angeles, Cal. The Green Section has distributed parent stock to many mem­ ber golf clubs, Green Section Service Subscribers, and experiment stations. Suits all Types of Turf For what purpose is Meyer zoysia turf acceptable? Virtually all types of turf, including sunny home lawns (and light shade), golf course fairways, athletic fields, play­ grounds, park areas, and cemetery turf. What special advantages does Meyer zoysia offer? When it is well established and main­ tained. it produces a very dense turf which is practically weed-free during summer. It thrives in hottest summer when many other grasses are semi-dorm­ ant. Relatively little maintenance is re­ quired. It is resistant to drought, to in- USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 31 sects, and to wear. It is relatively easy to mow even with a hand mower when mowed regularly. It appears to thrive on all kinds of soils. What are its disadvantages? Poor winter color is the chief disad­ vantage, coupled with the fact that winter weeds come in while it is dormant. This can be overcome fairly satisfactorily by seeding adapted, improved cool-season grasses into the zoysia turf. The fact that Meyer zoysia grows rather slowly may be a disadvantage in some cases. On golf tees, for example, scar injuries may be rather slow to heal unless it is ferti­ lized well or combined with a strong cool­ season grass. It’ will not tolerate dense shade. It prefers open sun but will toler­ ate partial shade. Meyer zoysia must be planted vegeta­ tively. It will produce a good crop of seed when handled properly. Turf pro­ duced from this seed appears to be nearly as satisfactory as turf produced by the parent plant. There are, however, many “off-type” plants. There is need for fur­ ther testing, and seed will not be available for some time. How may Meyer zoysia be planted? It may be planted by the use of sprigs or plugs, or it may be sodded. Sprigs may be planted successfully any time after the last spring frost and up to the middle of August. Plugs or blocks of sod may be moved successfully at almost any time when the soil is not frozen or baked by drought. Sprigs are rather slow to begin growth. They should be kept moist until growth is well under way. Fertilization Necessary How should it be maintained? Meyer zoysia should be fertilized about three times a year: early spring, early summer, and early fall. Fertilizer should be applied to the turf at the rate of 10 pounds of a 10-6-4 fertilizer (or equiv­ alent) to 1,000 square feet at each ap­ plication. Z-52 is relatively slow-growing and does not require as frequent mowing as do some other turf grasses. Mowing at least once a week, however, will help to maintain a smooth, well-groomed turf. The mowing height may be any preferred height from ^4-inch up. Close mowing does not hurt this grass. This turf grass will provide satisfactory turf for long periods without fertilization, an ad­ vantage when fertilizer becomes scarce. Is Meyer zoysia available commer­ cially? Yes. A few small nurseries have begun to sell two-inch plugs of Meyer zoysia. Also, it has been distributed to experi­ ment stations for testing and increase. The first plugs were sold in Washington, D. C., in May, 1951. By spring, 1952, the Green Section will have a list of suppliers which can be had by writing to: USGA Green Section Plant Industry Station Beltsville, Md. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRONOMY Digest of Report of the 1951 Turf Committee The findings and conclusions of this - committee again were derived from a mail survey. A high percentage of com­ plete returns were received. The development of Merion blue­ grass is one of the bright spots in turl history, but the seed is limited and is high in price. The question was asked' “Should Merion bluegrass be offered in mixtures at this time?” Six said no, one said yes. Mixtures might cause loss of identity and may encourage adulteration. More information is needed. No New Grasses No new strains of turf grasses have been suggested to this committee for consideration since our last meeting. This committee recommends unqualifiedly 32 USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 mines through unjustified continued use of high-phosphorus fertilizers. There seems to be general agreement that less seed is needed of improved grasses. It is recommended that Merion bluegrass, for example, be seeded at no more than 40-44 lb./A maximum. Four to five pounds of centipede grass seed to the acre is adequate under good condi­ tions. There is a real need to inform athletic directors and others in charge that there is good information available on fertil­ izers, seeds, grasses, soil cultivation, mow­ ing management, etc. Your committee strongly recommends closer co-ordination between authorities in charge of athletic fields and authorities responsible for de­ velopment of information on turf man­ agement. More emphasis must be given to the production of seed of superior turf grasses. In order to determine superior­ ity there must be co-ordinated trials of performance of species and strains. This is one type of testing that requires dup­ lication at every station capable of mak­ ing such tests. The greatest enemy of the turf user today is the man or agency who promotes a “new” grass before it has been adequately tested for performance over a wide area. We must educate the tax-paying public that turf plays a real part in our every­ day life and in the national economy. As we continue to study and work in turf management, we become even more impressed with the tremendous scope of turf. Your Committee E. L. Anderson G. W. Burton M. E. Farnham C. K. Hallowell R. H. Morrish F. V. Grau, H. B. Musser O. J. Noer A. E. Rabbitt H. A. Schoth H. B. Sprague Chairman against the use of bent grasses in athletic field turf. In general, the National Co-ordinated Turf Program appears to be moving satis­ factorily in the right direction. The USGA Green Section’s Turf Research Review and the USGA’s new book, Turf Man­ agement, appear to have met a demand for information and literature review. These publications are essential to any­ one participating in the National Co­ ordinated Turf Program. Continued strong leadership is needed. Most educational facilities in turf man­ agement at agricultural colleges are con­ sidered inadequate. Only a few colleges are qualified to give instruction in turf management. Your committee again stres­ ses the need for further expansion for research and extension testing facilities for turf management at major agricul­ tural colleges. Several suggestions have been received as to trends and progress in the National Co-ordinated Turf Program. a. Greater emphasis on economy in the use of seeds, fertilizers, insecti­ cides, fungicides, etc., is stressed. b. Detailed studies on Poa annua are in order. c. The homeowners deserve more attention because they are the real taxpayers who support agricultural research, but get so little on their main problem—their lawns. d. Highways and slope control de­ serve greater emphasis. Aerating Data Needed The need for more data on the ef­ fects of aerating and cultivating turf are agreed upon unanimously. We need not only many more replicated tests, with ade­ quate control or check plots, but we need the assistance of well-trained research men to measure results. Significant savings in the use of phosphate on turf can be accomplished. High-phosphorus fertilizers are most im­ portant for new' seedings in phosphate- deficient soils. It is known that some turf areas have become lowgrade phosphate USGA Journal and Turf Management: November, 1951 33 IT’S YOUR HONOR The Youth Movement To the USGA: I have been particularly interested in the way the newcomers and young­ sters such as Tommy Jacobs and Billy Maxwell mowed them down in the Amateur Championship. It reminds me of the passage from a poet whose name I do not remember but which is, or was. found on the curtain of the old Tabor Theatre here in Denver. It goes like this: “The works of men go crumbling. “Back to the earth again; “Ancient and Holy things “Fade like a dream.” This is progress and it should be thus. N. C. Morris Denver, Colo. Last Objection Removed To the USGA: Your letter states: “We agreed that the penalty (in 1952) should be the same for ball lost, unplayable or out of bounds.” That eliminates from the present USGA Rules our one and only objec­ tion. When you place the same pen­ alty on a ball out of bounds as on that of a lost ball, then we are satisfied, whether it be distance only, stroke and distance or even two strokes and dis­ tance. After this becomes effective we will have no local rules (except for improve­ ment of lie in our new fairways for possibly another year). J. C. Dodo Ridgefields Country Club Kingsport. Tenn. News Item To the USGA: I am enclosing check for renewal of my subscription to the USGA Journal. In case you want news items. I can give you one that is important — at least to me. This summer I won the Vermont State Women's Golf Championship, which was played at Burlington. Vt., and later I won the Club Champion­ ship at Brattleboro, Vt.. where I am a member. I also won the Bradley Cup. which is an annual handicap affair at our club. I am 15 years old and have just entered the Northfield School for Girls at East Northfield. Mass. I read your good article about Dorothy Kirby in the September issue and I am hoping that I can follow in her footsteps. Miss Susan J. Inman Boston. Mass. The Amateur Championship To the: USGA: • May I offer my congratulations for the marvelous Amateur Championship at Bethlehem. The USGA, from my observation, always puts on a top per­ formance. but in this case the Saucon Valley Country Club surpassed any­ thing I have ever seen. That half of the week that I spent there was among the most enjoyable I have known, and I only regret that the tournament won’t be held there year after year. Congratulations and best wishes to the officers of the USGA for the work they did in putting on this best of all Amateur Championships. William C. Chapin Rochester. N. Y. To the USGA: What a grand success the Saucon Valley tournament was! For me. of course, it was a little too short, ending on the 17th green about noon Monday. However. I do want you to realize how- great an impression the perfectly mar­ velous arrangements made on me and everyone with whom I came in contact. It just couldn't have been better. I realize that a good deal of the credit is due to the Saucon Valley Committee and membership. Congratulations. Joseph W. Oliver Pittsburgh. Pa. Editor's Note: The USGA Journal invites comments on matters relating to the welfare of the game and will publish them as space permits.