^ > T I N 3 A USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT FIRST AND LATEST WINNERS OF COX CUP —Thomasville, Ga., Times-Enterprise Miss Beatrix Hoyt, who held the Robert Cox Cup, emblematic of the USGA Women's Amateur Championship in 1896, 1897 and 1898, viewed it again with Miss Mary Lena Faulk, who won it last year and plans to defend it at the Allegheny Country Club, Sewickley, Pa., this month. Both ladies live in Thomasville, Ga. The Cup was not offered until the second year of the Championship, and Miss Hoyt was not only its first but its youngest winner. USGA JOURNAL 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. VIII, No. 3 JULY, 1955 Through the Green 1 The Club President Looks at his Manager --------------------------- L. Alan Passmore 5 New Western G. A. Headquarters -____________. 7 A New Champion and New Inspiration...______________________ Joseph C. Dey, Jr. 8 The Easiest Way Becomes a Habit ---- --------------------------------------—.Orville Henry 14 Joe Conrad’s Victory in the British Amateur _________________________________ 16 Do You Know Your Golf? _________________________________ 18 The Girls’ Junior Championship _________________________ Mrs. John Pennington 19 The Referee: Decisions by the Rules of Golf Committees________________________ 21 Turf Management: USGA Green Section Turf Research at Oklahoma A. and M. College__________ Dr. Wayne Huffine 25 Losses of Ammonical Fertilizers From Sprinkler Jets D. W. Henderson, W. C. Bianchi and L. D. Doneen 28 Bengeyfield Succeeds Wilson .._______________________ 30 Green Section Grant for 3entgrass Studies in Oklahoma__________________ 31 Worth-While Meetings 32 It’s Your Honor: Letters __ 33 Published seven times a year in February, April, June, July, August, September and November by the UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION 40 EAST 38th ST., NEW YORK 16, N. Y. Subscription: $2 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, Mid­ Atlantic Office, Room 206, South Building, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md.; to USGA Green Section Western Office, 1709 W. 8th St., Los Angeles 17, Cal,; to USGA Green Section Southwestern Office, Texas A. and M. College, College Station, Texas; to USGA Green Section Northeastern Office, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J., or to USGA Green Section Southeastern Office, Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, Ga. Entered as Second-class Matter March 3, 1950, at the Post Office at Neva York, N. Y., under the Act of March 8. 1879. Edited by Joseph C. Dey, Jr., and, John P. English. Managing Editor-. Frank C. True. All articles voluntarily contributed. USGA COMPETITIONS FOR 1955 (Dates entries close mean last dates for applications to reach USGA office. For possible exceptions in dates of Sectional Qualifying Rounds, see entry forms.) Championship Amateur Public Links Junior Amateur Entries Close Closed Sectional Qualifying Rounds Completed Closed July 19 Championship Dates Team: July 9 Indiv.: July 11-16 August 3-6 Girls' Junior Women's Amateur August 3 August 8 None None August 15-19 August 22-27 Amateur August 12 August 30 Sept. 12-17 Penue Coffin Municipal G. C., Indianapolis, Ind. Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind. Florence C.C., Florence, S.C. Myers Park C. C., Charlotte, N. C. Country Club of Virginia, Richmond, Va. Senior Amateur August 26 Sept. 8 Sept. 26-Oct. 1 Belle Meade Country Club, Nashville, Tenn. Sportsman's Service On the Sunday before the last British Open Championship, a church in South­ port, England, held a sportsmen’s service, and, we are pleased to to be able to report, there was a good attendance of golfing people. Norma Von Nida read the lesson. A Champion of Club Champions We have recorded a series of achieve­ ments by individuals who have won the same championships over particularly long spans of years—and 39 years seems to be the longest span. Now we come to a sub-division of this type of thing and present the case of Tj Vai Bermingham, who, starting in 1907, played in twenty - six consecutive club championships at the Wykagyl Country Club, New Rochelle, N. Y., gaining the final twenty-one times and the champion­ ship twenty times. This is short of the record of the late A. D. S. Duncan, who won the champion­ ship of the Wellington (New Zealand) Golf Club twenty - three times over a thirty-eight year span, but it is still a remarkable achievement. Another is the feat of Leslie W. Mer­ cer, of St. Albans, Vt., who won the Vermont Amateur in 1921, at the age of 16, was in the final again in 193 5 and once again was in the final last sum­ mer, thirty-two years after winning and at the age of 48. Village of Golf, III. The Village of Golf, Ill., seventeen miles north of Chicago’s Loop, will become the address of the Western Golf Association and the Evans Scholars Foundation. Plans for construction of a one-story brick structure of contemporary Georgian design have been announced by Carleton Blunt, chairman of the Evans Scholars Foundation trustees, and Vic Bowers, presi­ dent of the Village of Golf. Ground-break­ ing will start immediately and completion is scheduled for March 1, 195 5. The building will be owned by the Evans Scholars Foundation, which since 193 0 has sent more than 400 deserving caddies to college and which this year will furnish scholarships to 207 caddies at 25 colleges and universities. Funds will be raised through donations. The Butz Foundation already has pledged a substantial portion of the cost in memory of Theodore C. Butz, former president of WGA and a trustee of Evans Scholars Foundation. The new headquarters will be used by Golf as its Village Hall. The Village’s name was originated at the turn of the century by the employees of the Milwaukee Railroad. The President of USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 1 the road, H. E. Byram, was an ardent golf­ er and member of the Glen View Club. When in the mood for golf, he would call the operating department of the Milwaukee road and state, “I’m going to golf today,” after which arrangements would be made to stop the Minneapolis-bound train at a prairie stop near the club. The prairie stop became known as Golf and when the Village was incorporated in 192 5 the name was retained. International Flavor British Curtis Cup Team members will not represent the only foreign threat in the Women’s Amateur Championship at the Allegheny Country Club, near Pittsburgh, this month. The Argentine is sending Mrs. Carmen Baca Castex de Conen and Mrs. Margarita Mackinlay de Maglione, both of Buenos Aires; and Belgium is sending Miss Arlette Jacquet, of Brussels, the Belgian Cham­ pion. Miss Marlene Stewart, of Fonthill, On­ tario, who recently defended her Canadian Championships, will play again, too, but in view of the fact that she is such a close neighbor and goes to college in this coun­ try, it is difficult to think of her as a for­ eign threat. The Championship once again will be entirely at match play and the draw is not made until the entrants have registered at the Club. Miss Mary Lena Faulk, of Thom­ asville, Ga., is the defender. British View of Calcuttas The evils we have noted in Calcutta pools seem not to be restricted entirely to this country. Henry Longhurst, a broad- gauge writer for various British publica­ tions, had these pungent remarks to make in Golf Illustrated on July 8: “There is one aspect of money and golf that in my opinion stinks to high heaven, and if I offend one or two valued friends by saying so, well, I shall be very sorry, but there it is. I refer to the selling sweep. Not the little one that adds to the gaiety of the club dinner but the one that runs to hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of pounds. I have had experience of quite a number and here indeed money is the root of evil. No need to be pious about it. Human nature is what it is and the prospect of seven or eight hundred pounds free of tax is in these days a prize suffi­ ciently glittering to make an otherwise honest man subdue his conscience to a remarkable degree. “In the United States the selling sweep or Calcutta, as they call it, has reached such proportions that the USGA have had to start a special battle to combat the proven evils that it is bringing in its train. "Things have not reached such a pass in Britain, but I have seen enough of these selling sweeps to regard them as an un­ mitigated evil. How preposterous that a man who normally might not play for a fiver should find himself engaged to win many hundreds of pounds off handicap! After all, without wishing to be unduly cynical, the only thing proved by any han­ dicap tournament is: "Whose handicap is most wrong?” And, my word, some of the handicaps in some of these selling sweeps are about as wrong as wrong can be! I shall never forget a man coming in one day after a minor weekly "spoon” remark­ ing blithely, “Had to finish 7, 6, 4, 6, 6 to save me ’andicap.” He was farming himself, needless to say, for the annual sweep which, I am happy to recall, he failed to win. "Actually I was playing in it myself and was defeated by a superbly judged piece of gamesmanship which still rankles. Perhaps if I had won the dam’ thing my views on selling sweeps would be a little more tolerant.” Psychiatric Rules The golf course of the London Hunt and Country Club, in Canada, encircles many of the buildings of the University of Western Ontario. It was there that the Americas Cup Match and the Canadian Amateur Championship were played last month. 2 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 In promulgating local rules, the Royal Canadian Golf Association showed the ut­ most consideration for the frayed nerves of the golfers. Or perhaps it drafted the services of a University psychiatrist to frame the following one: "Hole No. 5. For any who might worry, the glass windows in the Collip Building are shatterproof.” London’s eighteenth hole is an innocent­ looking 320-yarder, with the Medway River immediately in front of the green. The Medway is not glamorous as rivers go and, in August, is almost dry, with many boulders in its bed and banks. In an Americas Cup foursome, the Canadian and the United States teams both drove within ten yards of the river. The tee shots were scarecely a yard apart and both were virtually stymied by a tree on direct line to the flagstick. Every one of the four players took a crack at trying to put a ball on the green, and all failed. The first, an American, struck a tree head on. The next, a Ca­ nadian, dumped his ball onto the river bank. A second American then pitched his side’s ball into the same declivity. And the second Canadian, playing on the river bank, barely nudged his shot three feet or so, and still on the bank. The next day, at the same hole, a Mexi­ can representative drove onto the club­ house roof. He stalked into the clubhouse, trailed dutifully by his caddie. A United States representative, having just finished his match, was in the locker room and was startled to see player and caddie go trudging up the stairs inside the clubhouse. His question as to what the player was doing brought no response. For by that time the Mexican was out on the roof, and was chipping the ball down onto the eighteenth fairway. wet part of the Medway River. Without giving the opponent an opportunity to see what had happened, the player picked up the opponent’s ball and tossed it to him. That was a violation of Rule 27-2a: "If a player’s ball be touched or moved by an opponent . . . the opponent shall incur a penalty stroke.” But the player was never charged with the stroke. His own ball lay within the confines of the same water hazard, but easily playable. He took a couple of practice swings in the hazard and soled his club. This violation of Rule 3 3-3 cost him a hole he had practically sewn up. Encouragement When one is a junior, it is easy to fall victim to discouragement. By the same token, a small potion of encouragement at the right moment may make a boy. Arnold Blum, of Macon, Ga., first al­ ternate on the last Walker Cup Team, must have appreciated this when he read of the defeat of his young friend, Davis Adams, Jr., by one hole in the third round of the Junior Amateur Championship way out in Los Angeles. So Blum quickly wired: "You did swell. I played in three na­ tionals before I won a match.” Dr. Robert A. Keilty We record with deep regret the passing of Dr. Robert A. Keilty, of Chevy Chase, Md., who served faithfully as a member of our Sectional Affairs Committee from 1942 to 19S3 and also had been president of the District of Columbia, Middle At­ lantic and Maryland Golf Associations. His was a life of real service to both the profession of medicine and the game of golf. * si- Uniform Accounts One player had the eighteenth hole won, to all intents and purposes. His op­ ponent had just plopped a pitch into the The Club Managers Association of Amer­ ica has issued, with the cooperation of Horwath & Horwath, a revised and con­ USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 3 solidated manual entitled "Uniform Sys­ tem of Accounts for Clubs.” This super­ sedes two earlier publications which estab­ lished a common language for club ac­ counting and became so popular that they went out of print. The objectives of this new manual, ar­ ranged primarily for country and city clubs are: 1. To modernize club statement pres­ entation and terminology in accordance with the latest accounting trends. 2. To make uniform the arrangement and terms used by country clubs and city clubs insofar as they have common depart­ ments and balance sheet accounts. "The operation of country clubs has de­ veloped into an industry of no mean im­ portance,” the Club Managers Associa­ tion points out. "While, of course, country clubs are not conducted for profit, that does not mean that they should not be op­ erated with all possible efficiency. "The annual change of officers, direc­ tors, and committee chairmen — always men whose interests and experience lie in fields entirely different from club opera­ tion—makes it more or less necessary for the club manager to prove anew each year his capability. It is difficult for him to do this without an adequate measuring stick, and difficult for his employers to judge his efficiency. "The only fair way to weigh the man­ ager’s success or failure is through com­ parison of his results with those of similar clubs, but such comparison is almost im­ possible because clubs prepare their finan­ cial statements in such different forms. "The booklet herewith submitted offers a practical method of classification of ac­ counts. The great majority of clubs could adopt it without any too radical changes and without any additional expense other than, possibly, the first order of properly ruled stationery.” It is available through the Club Man­ agers Association of America, 408 Olive Street, St. Louis 2, Mo., at a $7.50 charge. SPORTSMAN’S CORNER TOMMY AARON Tommy Aaron, of Gainesville, Ga., is 17 and serious about golf. He went all the way to The Los Angeles Country Club last month, not to make a half-hearted effort but to do the best he could in the Junior Amateur Championship. It was his last year of eligi­ bility and he had missed .out the previous year because of a broken ankle. Tommy’s best is good, in both golf and football, and he shortly found himself play­ ing in the quarter-final round against Allen L. Geiberger, of Santa Barbara, Cal., who holds the California, Southern California and Los Angeles City Junior Championships. Geiberger was 1 up going to the sixteenth hole, a 444-yard affair, and he rifled his second shot onto the green. Aaron’s went into the dry, fragile bermuda rough behind the green, so that he was still away. Charles P. Stevenson, of Buffalo, N. Y., the referee, walked into the rough with Aaron and stood by while he played his critical third shot out of the long grass and onto the green. The play to this point seemed routine, and Aaron seemed to have at least a chance for a half returning to the green when he said: “I concede the hole. My ball turned over in the rough while I was addressing it, and I lie four.” Not even the referee, who was standing by for just such an eventuality, had seen the ball move, but Aaron knew he had to call it on himself, even though no one else had seen the movement and even though it made his op­ ponent dormie two. Geiberger went on to win the match, 3 and 1, but Aaron won something just as important. 4 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 ORIGIN OF THE CURTIS CUP MATCHES by MISS MARGARET CURTIS Co-Donor of the Curtis Cup with her sister, Miss Harriot S. Curtis A few years after World War I — in 1924, to be exact — the women’s in­ ter-city team match among Boston, New York and Philadelphia was held in Boston. As was customary, a meeting took place in the afternoon to discuss any matters that might have come up in relation to the match or to the Women’s Eastern Golf Association Championship, which had grown out of the practice rounds preced­ ing the match. These matches were great fun, and it was considered quite an honor to repre­ sent one’s home city. We were a very con­ genial crowd. At this particular meeting someone said, "What fun it would be to play international team matches.” Several British girls had earlier come over to play in our Championship, includ­ ing Miss Rhona Adair, Miss Dorothy Camp­ bell (later Mrs. Hurd), and the extraor­ dinary Miss Lottie Dod, who had been five times British tennis champion, retired un­ beaten, took up golf, won that Champion­ ship in 1904 and also won the British fig­ ure skating championship. Mrs. Hurd, who became a resident of this country, was going to England that summer and said she would take it up with the Ladies’ Golf Union, in London. The Union reported that, while it liked the idea, its treasury was too depleted as a result of the war to consider it. But the idea was started. First Venture Abroad As a matter of fact, we had long since had a taste of the fun of international golf. In the spring of 1905, Miss Frances C. Griscom, of Philadelphia, suggested that it would be fun to go over and play in the British Championship at Cromer, Eng­ land. Eight of us went. The Championship was played early in the season. Since it was before the days of southern tournaments, most of us had put our clubs in moth balls from November to May and hadn’t much practice. It was customary for the British to play their international matches, among Eng­ land, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, just be­ fore their Championship. A Britisher sug­ gested that we play their combined strength. We were just eight friends, but in a gay, hopeless mood we took them on. Miss Georgianna N. Bishop, of Bridge­ port, Conn., then our Champion, was the only one of us to win, but we had a lot of fun. Of our eight, four had been or were to be United States Champions. They were Miss Griscom, Miss Bishop, my sister, Harriot, and I. Miss Molly Adams, of Bos­ ton, was a runner-up. The other members of our group were Mrs. Samuel Bettie, of Philadelphia, Miss Griscom’s sister; Miss Emily Lock wood, of Boston; and Miss Ethel Burnett, of New York. Miss Griscom, an ardent follower of our golf, also had arranged a team match with Canada in 1904. Cup Is Offered So, in 1927, Harriot and I attempted to give the idea another push by offering a cup for an international match. Miss Fan­ ny C. Osgood, of Boston, was appointed a committee of one to take up the matter once more with the LGU. While the British still felt the idea might be premature, a tentative plan was made for a match in 1928. This match never materialized, how­ ever, because of financial obstacles which could not be overcome. In 1928, the USGA Women’s Commit­ tee appointed a sub-committee to consider plans for conducting and financing an international team. Mrs. Charles Fraser, of New York, was chairman, and the other members were Miss Florence McNeely and myself. Although this committee found USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT) SEPTEMBER, 1954 5 The first American women to participate in an international team match were photographed at Cromer, England, in 1905. The four in the rear were Miss Ethel Burnett, of New York, N. Y., now Mrs. Charles Clark; Miss Frances C. Griscom, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Miss Harriot Curtis, of Boston, Mass., and Miss Emily N. Lockwood, of Boston, Mass., now Mrs. William B. Wood. The three in the middle row were Miss Georgianna N. Bishop, of Bridgeport, Conn.; the late Mrs. Samuel Bettie, of Philadelphia, Pa., a sister of Miss Griscom; and Miss Margaret Curtis, of Boston, Mass., a sister of Miss Harriot. The young lady sitting in front was the late Miss Molly B. Adams, of Boston, Mass., later Mrs. Edward C. Wheeler. Only Miss Bishop won her match, but they started a ball a'rolling and one of the results was the series of matches for the Curtis Cup. interest among our golf associations favor­ able, it, too, was stymied by the financial problem abroad. Although that committee was dissolved in 1930, the situation thereafter took a turn for the better. The USGA Executive Committee approved the match in prin­ ciple. On February 7, 1931, the LGU sud­ denly accepted an offer we had made to go to England for the first international team match. It also agreed to continue the matches here in 1934. Shortly thereafter, the USGA agreed to assume financial re­ sponsibility for our side. The selection of the first team proved unexpectedly simple, probably simpler than any since. Each member of the USGA Women’s Committee was asked to submit the names of fifteen players whom she con­ sidered of international-team caliber. Eight, and only eight, names appeared on every list; and since they represented the unani­ mous opinion of the committee, they be­ came the team. They were: Mrs. L. D. Cheney, Miss Helen Hicks, Mrs. O. S. Hill, Mrs. Harley G. Higbie, Miss Marion Hol­ lins, Miss Maureen Orcutt, Miss Virginia Van Wie and Mrs. Edwin H. Vare, Jr. Miss Hollins was chosen Captain. Wentworth, England, was the site of the first match and it was completed in one day—May 21, 1932—with three four­ somes in the morning and six singles in the afternoon. It was a day of real gratifica­ tion for us. 6 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 REMARKS OF A NEW PROFESSIONAL Gene Littler, who won the Amateur Championship last fall and came with­ in an 8-foot putt of tying for the Open Championship last spring, has now been a professional eight months and, under the regulations of the Professional Golfers’ As­ sociation of America, has completed his apprenticeship as a tournament player. He announced that he was turning pro­ fessional last January after he had out- scored many of the leading tournament players in the San Diego Open and as he was about to be released from active duty in the United States Navy. Although Gene has been playing golf all his life, he is still acclimating himself to some of the surprising aspects of life as a professional tournament player: What Professionals Learn GENE LITTLER "The hardest thing to get used to,” he said recently, "is the idea that you don’t have to win all the time to be successful. "It came as a surprise to me, as a matter of fact, that a professional doesn’t have to shoot 66 or 67 in every round, although it is, of course, important to avoid a bad round. "In amateur golf, you have practically nothing if you don’t win. But in profes­ sional golf there is an incentive to keep working even when you see you -can’t win. "The other important thing to learn is that you can’t wait for professional op­ ponents to make a mistake. "Sometimes in amateur golf, you can win matches when you are playing badly. If a professional plays a bad round, there are so many capable players in the field that many of them will pass him. "You can’t wait for opponents to make mistakes. You have to outscore them with birdies.” These are the things, apparently, that a young professional learns—not new strokes. There was little wrong with Littler’s strok­ ing as an amateur, and he doesn’t admit to having learned a single new stroke as a professional. "I practice because I believe it is the only way of improving myself. Ben Hogan is the great example of that. But I don’t believe in practicing all day long. I don’t think anyone’s concentration is that good. "It is tremendously important to prac­ tice wisely. It is not useful, in my opinion, to practice and not play. You get into the habit of hitting balls without thinking.” The application of these principles to his already sound game will, Gene hopes, make him a success as a tournament player. "I don’t believe anyone can start out winning tournaments right away,” he added. Littler turned professional for the most simple and logical of reasons: it seemed to him to offer the most effective way of making a living. "I have always loved golf. "As a professional, I have a definite goal in golf to strive for, which I think is lack­ ing in amateur golf. "My advice to any amateur who is con­ sidering the same move would be first to examine himself carefully and decide defi­ nitely what he wants out of life. When he has determined that, the other decision will be easy.” USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 7 CHAMPIONS OF THE FUTURE When Foster (Bud) Bradley, Jr., won the Junior Amateur Cham­ pionship last month, he completed a cycle in which each of the Championships con­ ducted by this Association for male ama­ teurs had been won by a resident of Southern California. Gene Littler, a worthy successor to George Von Elm, took the Amateur Cham­ pionship back to San Diego last Septem­ ber; and Gene Andrews, the latest in a growing line of Los Angeles victors, won the Amateur Public Links Championship last July. And now Bud Bradley. In this case, the Association figuratively bearded the lion in his own den by con­ ducting the Championship over the 6,820 yard North Course of The Los Angeles Country Club, and not one but two sons of Southern California came through from the original record entry of 749 to the final. One was Bradley, a well-mannered and attractive young gentleman of 17, who lives in Los Angeles, was graduated from Marshall High School last June and plays public links golf at the Griffith Park course. The other was Allen L. Geiberger, who lives in Santa Barbara, enters his senior year of high school this fall and plays at the Valley Club of Montecito. He is only 16 but is an exceptionally formful and promising player. Until this victory, Bradley was perhaps better known as a crack high school short­ stop than as a golfer. Now You See Him, Now You Don't One reason for this, of course, could be the extreme speed with which he plays golf. In an era of increasingly slow play, Bud seems to have his first tee shot split­ ting the center-line of the fairway by the time the starter has finished calling his name, and he whizzes around so fast that he has a now-you-see-him-now-you-don’t aura which is both refreshing and, for spec­ tators, breathtaking. Allen L. Geiberger (left) congratulates the new Junior Amateur Champion, Foster Bradley, Jr. Another reason may be that in two pre­ vious tries for the Junior Amateur Cham­ pionship, he lost successively in the third and first rounds. Three weeks earlier he was beaten, 2 down, by Geiberger in the final of the Southern California Junior. Geiberger also had won the California and Los Angeles City Junior Champion­ ships. As often happens in junior golf, how­ ever, the result of that Southern California final became irrelevant when they met again in the final of the Junior Amateur Championship. Bradley played the first ten holes in one under par and, with Gei­ berger somewhat off his game, stood 5 up. The younger boy then won four of the next five holes to make a match out of it, but Bradley took the last two and the Championship, 3 and 1. He needed a par 4 for a 75 when it ended. The following week, incidentally, it went the other way again. Geiberger de­ fended his California Junior Champion­ ship with a 72-hole score of 289 over four Los Angeles courses and Bradley was third with 297. Their match had not only a thrilling finish but also a pleasing aspect, because both native sons were exemplary sports­ men and played with dispatch. Their ap­ peal was so strong, in fact, that the gallery was the largest this Championship has had 8 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 and probably numbered at various times from five hundred to a thousand persons. The Los Angeles Country Club, which had not entertained a USGA Champion­ ship since the Women’s Amateur of 1930, provided the quintessence of efficient hos­ pitality, and it is more than likely that the graceful comportment of the players re­ flected their respect for the venerable tra­ ditions of the Club and for the support and interest displayed by its members. The losing semi-finalists were George Warren, 17, of Hampton, S. C., and Henry (Phil) Lobstein, 15, of Brownwood, Texas. Warren, who was runer-up a year ago, fell when Bradley went to the turn in 34 to start a 3-and-l victory. Lobstein, who was only starting golf a year ago, bowed to Geiberger, 6 and 4. Warren was three over par and Geiberger was two over for the holes played. The Championship was conducted by the dozen faithful members of the Junior Championship Committee who attended, with the assistance of the large and ex­ perienced Tournament Committee of The Los Angeles Country Club and of repre­ sentatives of the Junior Golf Association of Southern California and of the South­ ern California Golf Association. Truly it was a community effort, and the commun­ ity was a happy one. Byron Nelson, the 1939 Open Cham­ pion, gave a memorable group lesson in the simple fundamentals of the game the day before play started, and the USGA hon­ ored the players at a large dinner in the clubhouse, where the rules of the competi­ tion were explained and where players and officials came to know each other on more personal terms. Those who lost in the first round were invited to play in a consolation event at the Bel-Air Country Club, and sixty-three of the sixty-four who were eligible accepted and had a wonderful day there. Treat your caddie as you would your son. USGA PUBLICATIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST THE RULES OF GOLF, as approved by the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, effective January I, 1954. Booklet, 25 cents (special rates for quantity orders). Poster, 25 cents. ARE YOUR LOCAL RULES NECESSARY? a reprint of a USGA Journal article con­ taining recommendations regarding local rules. No charge. THE RULE ABOUT OBSTRUCTIONS, a re­ print of a USGA Journal article. No charge. USGA GOLF HANDICAP SYSTEM FOR MEN, containing recommendations for computing Basic and Current Handicaps and for rating courses. Booklet, 25 cents. Poster, 10 cents. THE CONDUCT OF WOMEN'S GOLF, con­ taining suggestions for guidance in the conduct of women's golf in clubs and associations, including tournament pro­ cedures, handicapping and course rating. 25 cents. HANDICAPPING THE UNHANDICAPPED, a reprint of a USGA Journal article explain­ ing the Callaway System of automatic handicapping for occasional players in a single tournament. No charge. TOURNAMENTS FOR YOUR CLUB, a reprint of a USGA Journal article detailing vari­ ous types of competitions. No charge. PROTECTION OF PERSONS AGAINST LIGHTNING ON GOLF COURSES, a poster. No charge. MOTION PICTURES ON GOLF (list). No charge. MOTION PICTURES RELATING TO GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE (list). No charge. HOLE-IN-ONE AWARDS. No charge. AMATEURISM IS IN THE HEART, a reprint of a USGA Journal article by E. G. Grace. No charge. BETTER LAWNS TO COME, a reprint of a USGA Journal article. No charge. TURF MANAGEMENT, by H. B. Musser (Mc­ Graw-Hill Book Co., Inc.), the authorita­ tive book on greenkeeping. $7. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGE­ MENT, a 33-page magazine published seven times a year and containing authori­ tative information on the Rules of Golf, USGA championships, handicapping, ama­ teur status, greenkeeping methods, clubs and ball, new trends and the play of the game. $2. a year. These publications are available on request to the United States Golf Association, 40 East 38th Street, New York 16, N. Y. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 9 THE EVILS OF ORGANIZED GAMBLING By ■ : • EARL A ROSS Former ' President, Metropolitan Golf Association A fter i received- a plaque from the Metropolitan Golf Association for my effort in combating organized gambling in connection with golf tournaments, I felt I should get down in writing some of the facts about the effort. There is no doubt that much of the organized gambling in golf could be put out of business with very little trouble. The reason is that it violates many laws. Also, it seems at the present time to be the subject of investigation by the In­ ternal Revenue Service. - I think nearly everybody agrees, how­ ever, that they prefer to sell the idea to clubs and groups, rather than • enforce the idea by law. The belief that there- must be a lot of money riding on the outcome of a tourna­ ment in order to make it interesting has been defeated, since the championships con­ ducted by major associations, such as the United States Golf Association, the Metro­ politan Golf Association and others, are conducted without organized gambling. Senior tournaments, all competitions at Pinehurst, N.C., Shawnee, Pa., and at such clubs as the Palm Beach Golf Club, Merion • Golf Club, Baltusrol Golf Club, Winged Foot Golf Club, Quaker Ridge- Golf Club, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Bonnie Briar Country Club, Siwanoy Country Club and the Whippoorwill Club have proved satis- ■ factory and interesting without gambling. There is no doubt that the spirit of the Rules of Amateur Status is broken when players participate either for them­ selves or for someone else in a tournament ■ where organized gambling- takes place. Amateur golf, as a whole, bears a won­ derful reputation as a clean, wholesome EARL A. ROSS spurt. The majority of players have little interest in the gambling end of events and are anxious to keep the game clean and wholesome, • Most everyone is : interested in junior golf in some way or other. Today our young men' are having problems in paying dues and playing golf. Certainly, as simple and wholesome as the game can be kept, the better it will be for all, One of these days the game might get some publicity that would hurt it, if or­ ganized gambling gets a foothold. If golf can’t head off the big - gamblers, the game will be up to its neck in trouble. 10 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT; SEPTEMBER, 1954 HANDS ACROSS THE TEE by JOSEPH C. DEY, JR. USGA Executive Director 44\T7HAT HAS IMPRESSED me about VV these players,” our Canadian friend was saying, "is what fine chaps they are, what real sportsmen and gentle­ men. "We read a great deal about their skill, and we are well aware of them as golf players. But it is refreshing to see them come alive as human beings, and out­ standingly fine ones.” Our Canadian friend was talking about three teams in the recent Americas Cup Match — Mexican, Canadian and United States. When Jerome P. Bowes, Jr., of Chicago, presented the handsome Americas Cup for competition two years ago, he caused it to be inscribed: Toward Greater International Under­ standing Through the Sportsmanship and Good Will of Friendly Competi­ tion Among the Amateur Golfers of the Americas Such a sentiment is a hard challenge. A mere human being can scarcely hope to be a true channel for such a noble ob­ jective. But high standards never harmed any­ one. Jerry Bowes’s challenge is also an inspiration, as was plainly evident in the recent Match at the London Hunt and Country Club, London, Ontario. It was great to see the three flags flying together. It was even greater to see fine young men of the three nations competing together, competing for all they were worth, to be sure, but in genuine friend­ ship and true consideration of one another. Here were bonds being forged, bonds of humanity that can stand the strain of international tension. It is by such simple, natural upspringing of human friendship, from man to man, that the world moves forward. What happened at London last month will never be exactly measurable in terms of world peace, but it helped the cause just as surely as does formal di­ plomacy. Therein is the real meaning and the true value of international golf. A Near Thing for the U. S. 4. It is impossible to have finer competi­ tion than this second Americas Cup Match produced. The United States retained the trophy by a margin of one point over Canada, 14 to 13. Mexico’s young team did not win a match, but never stopped trying. The result is rather remarkable when you consider that Canada has 547 golf courses and the United States 5,056, nearly ten times as many, with Mexico having 20. It is even more remarkable when you consider the power of the United States Team—Bill Campbell, Don Cherry, Char­ ley Coe, Joe Conrad, Dale Morey, Billy Joe Patton and Harvie Ward, with Jack Westland as non-playing Captain. If you hold a half dollar close enough to your eye, it will blot out the sun. We in our country are so close to the prowess of our golfers that we tend to regard them as almost invincible. But we were very fortunate to retain the Americas Cup. Had any one of several putts fared differently, the Cup would have been Canada’s. The Match consists of three 3 6-hole sixsomes, with each nation’s pair playing alternate strokes on one ball as in a true foursome, and six three-ball matches (sin­ gle players). Canada and the United States each won all nine of its matches from Mexico. But the United States barely defeated Canada, 5 to 4. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 11 The 1954 United States Team which won the Americas Cup. From left to right (rear) Charles R. Coe, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Don Cherry, of Wichita Falls, Texas; E. Harvie Ward, of San Francisco, Cal.; William C. Campbell, of Huntington, W. Va.; and (front) Jack Westland, of Everett, Wash., the non-playing Captain; Dale Morey, of Indianapolis, Ind.; Joseph W. Conrad, of San Antonio, Texas; William J. Patton, of Morganton, N. C. Our margin was gained in the sixsomes, in which we won two games to Canada’s one. The singles matches with Canada were terrific. The shortest match went to the thirty-fifth green, three were decided at the home hole, one went thirty - seven holes and the other thirty-eight. Don Cherry, United States winner of the 1953 Canadian Amateur Champion­ ship, won the No. 1 match from Nick Weslock after two extra holes. Billy Joe Patton, a star of this year’s Open Championship and Masters Tourna­ ment, played the last three holes in birdie­ par-birdie to defeat Walter McElroy by 2 and 1. But Donald Doe, of Canada, won on the 36th from Dale Morey, who last year was runner-up for the USGA Amateur Cham­ pionship. Then along came Moe Norman, a 24- year-old Ontario player whom his friends call the Huck Finn of Canadian golf. Moe had no regard for the fact that Billy Camp­ bell was runner-up in this year’s British Amateur. Moe holed in one at the thirty- third to go 1 up, Campbell squared at the thirty-fourth, and then Moe defeated Billy on the thirty-seventh. That made the score for the two days 12 for the United States and 11 for Cana­ da, with two matches to finish. Charlie Coe, our 1949 Amateur Cham­ pion, trailed the veteran Phil Farley almost all day and was 3 down after 29 holes. With seven to go, Charlie won four in a row, and preserved his 1-up advantage through to the finish. It was well for the United States side that he did so, for Doug Silverberg, a husky young Canadian, defeated Harvie Ward on the home hole. Silverberg is not only a fine golfer but an ice hockey play­ er. He attends college in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The London Hunt and Country Club was a perfect host for what has now be­ come an important golf event. The Presi­ dent of the Club is C. Ross (Sandy) So­ merville, who in 1932 became the only Canadian to win the USGA Amateur Championship. 12 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 SECOND INTERNATIONAL MATCH FOR THE AMERICAS CUP Held at the London Hunt and Country Club, London, Ont., Canada August 12 and 13, 1954 FOURSOMES Mexico Canada Nick Weslock and Walter McElroy (12 and 11) ... ..................... 1 Phillip Farley and Douglas Silverberg (6 and 5) .... 1 Donald Doe and Robert Fleming (9 and 8)— Points Alejandro Cumming and Fernando Mendez ........................................................ 0 Roberto Morris, Jr. and Juan A. Estrada .................................... —-...................... 0 Carlos Porraz and Antonio Rivas .................... 0 Points Total ....... ......................... --............................. Total .................... ................ 0 Nick Weslock (9 and 8) Walter McElroy (7 and 5) Donald Doe (7 and 5) Moe Norman (7 and 6) Phillip Farley (7 and 5) Douglas Silverberg (7 and 51 Grand Total—Canada Captain—John B. Nash Canada 1 3 ....... 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 9 SINGLES Antonio Rivas ..... Roberto Morris, Jr Fernando Mendez Carlos Belmont ... Alejandro Cumming Juan A. Estrada ... 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total ... —................................................... ................ 0 — Grand Total—Mexico ........................ ................ 0 Captain—Mario Rivas United States Points FOURSOMES Points Nick Weslock and Walter McElroy (4 and 3) ................................................................. 1 0 Phillip Farley and Douglas Silverberg .... ....... Donald Doe and Robert Fleming .............. ....... 0 Total ........... Nick Weslock Walter McElroy Donald Doe (1 up) Moe Norman (1 up, 37 holes) ............................ Phillip Farley Douglas Silverberg (1 up) .................................. 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 William C. Campbell and William J. Patton... 0 .............. 1 Don Cherry and Dale Morey (1 up) E. Harvie Ward, Jr., and Joseph W. Conrad (5 and 4) ................................ ................ 1 SINGLES Total .......................................................................... 2 Don Cherry (1 up, 38 holes) .................................. 1 William J. Patton (2 and 1) ............................... 1 Dale Morey ..................................................... -........... 0 William C. Campbell ................................................ 0 Charles R. Coe (1 up) ........................................... - 1 E. Harvie Ward, Jr.......... ......................................... 0 Total ... .....................................-.............................. 3 Total ................ 3 Grand Total—Canada ......................................... 4 Grand Total—United States .......................... 5 Captain—Jack Westland Mexico FOURSOMES United States Points Points Alejandro Cumming and Fernando Mendez 0 Roberto Morris, Jr. and Juan A. Estrada........ 0 Carlos Porraz and Antonio Rivas - —— 0 Total .......... 0 Antonio Rivas 0 0 Roberto Morris, Jr 0 Fernando Mendez 0 Carlos Belmont Alejandro Cumming 0 Juan A. Estrada 0 — - William C. Campbell and William J. Patton (6 and 5) ............................................. 1 Don Cherry and Dale Morey (8 and 7).......... 1 E. Harvie Ward, Jr., and Joseph W. Conrad (11 and 10) ......................................... 1 SINGLES Total —.................................................................... 3 Don Cherry (8 and 7) .......... 1 William J. Patton (7 and 6) . 1 Dale Morey (7 and 6) ........ 1 William C. Campbell (7 and 6) 1 Charles R. Coe (8 and 6) .... 1 E. Harvie Ward, Jr. (8 and 7) 1 Total .......... - 0 Total ___________ _______ 6 Grand Total—Mexico .................................. —— 0 Grand Total—United States ... ........................ 9 SUMMARY OF TEAM POINTS Canada Mexico United States Foursomes ................................................................................................................ Singles ....................................... -.................................................... -....................... Totals ................................................................ —............................................ Foursomes ................................................................................................................ Singles ..—.......................................................................................-........................ Totals ............ ....................... .... ....................................................................... Foursomes ...........................-...............................................................-................... Singles ................................................. -............................................. Totals ................................................................................................................ 3 6 9 1 3 4 Foursome Totals ........................................................................................... -...... 4 Singles Totals ........................................... 9 Grand Totals .................................. -.............. 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 5 3 6 9 5 9 14 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 13 THE GALLICO RULES The following code of rules has been prepared by Paul Gallico and is reprinted with his permission, although not with that of the Rules of Golf Committee! by PAUL GALLICO Bunker Play ball rolling or flying into a bunker or sand trap may be played if the player feels he is in need of the practice or enjoys that kind of thing, but no strokes other than the first one made in the bunker shall be counted against said player, should the ball fail to emerge after the making of this first stroke, since by this very failure of the ball to come out, the faulty design of the bunker is deemed amply demon­ strated and the skill of the player should not be penalized because of a defect in construction over which he has no control. The club may not be grounded in the bunker after the ball has been struck, since the smoothing out of the sand falls within the purview of the employees of the club and no sportsman will tolerate such anti­ union activities. Winter Huies (Amended) In order further to spare the valuable turf of the course and protect club prop­ erty when teeing the ball up in the fairway, the player must hereafter employ small wooden pegs, or tees, such as are used on the teeing ground at the start of each hole. Should the stroke played from one of these wooden pegs result in the player find­ ing himself in difficulties, he shall have the right to examine both the wooden peg and the consistency of the ground into which it was thrust. Should a defect be apparent in either, he may play the stroke again, since the purpose of the game is to elimin­ ate all mechanical and extraneous factors so that the genuine beauty of the sport be permitted to flourish. A chip or nick, out of the tee, shall be considered a defect for all purposes, since that throws the instru­ ment out of balance. The Drive All shots which curve into the rough on the right or left, either from a hook or a slice, shall be returned to the fairway at the point of farthest flight or roll, whichever is the greatest distance, since this unfortunate curvature is frequently an uncontrollable mechanical phenomenon re­ sulting from friction between the face of the club and the cover of the ball, takes place contrary to the wishes and desires of the player and results in his ball landing in areas which no person in his right mind would wish to enter for the sake of play. No penalty, though players may, if they wish, collaborate on a round-robin letter to the manufacturer of the golf equipment whose faulty construction is responsible for this phenomenon. Ball Striking a Tree A ball striking a tree while in flight shall be deemed not to have struck the tree unless the player making the stroke declares that he was deliberately aiming for it, in which case play shall cease momentarily while his partners congratulate him upon his marksmanship. But if the player attests in good faith that it was in no wise his intention to strike this tree or any part of it with his shot, then it is obviously a piece of bad luck which has no place in a scien­ tific game, or poor planning on the part of the course architect, and on either score, no penalty shall accrue to the player, who is thereupon permitted to estimate the dis­ tance his ball would have gone but for the unfortunate encounter, but no more than half the distance to the goal line, or two bases. Time need not be called. Lost Ball There is no such thing as a lost ball. The ball is somewhere on the course and will be picked up eventually and pocketed by someone other than the owner and there­ fore not entitled to do so, becoming hence 14 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 not a lost, but a stolen, ball. A player suf­ fering a stolen ball shall be entitled to cries of sympathy and understanding from his fellow players, who shall crowd around him importuning him not to compound the felony by charging himself with the loss of a stroke. Upon returning to the club­ house, said player shall apply to the pro­ fessional for restitution of the stolen article, since this official always has a large supply of them on hand. Ground Under Repair In arriving at a judgment whether or not ground is under repair for purposes of lifting a ball unpleasantly situated, with­ out penalty, the player may toss a coin. If it falls, the ground may be deemed under repair. However, if the player is unwilling to gamble in this manner, he may inspect the ground in question. If the situation or lie of the ball be such that it adds the ele­ ment of hazard to the ensuing stroke, it is obviously ground in need of repair, which repairs will be made in due course at the end of the labor shortage or when the green committee can get around to it. However, since the player and his partners NEW MEMBERS OF THE USGA Regular Bay City Country Club, Texas Magnolia Ridge Country Club, Texas Moose Lake Golf Club, Minn. Mt. Pleasant Country Club, Mich. Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club, R. I. Woodward Golf & Country Club, Ala. Associate Borinquen Golf Club, Puerto Rico Bomoseen Golf Club, Vt. Camp Chaffee Golf Course, Ark. Sharon Golf Club, N. C. Silver Lake Golf Club, III. cannot be expected to wait around until next Christmas, the ground shall be deemed under repair, as of and from that moment, or thereafter, whichever is nearer the hole. Bail Rimming Cop A ball putted on the putting green which rims the cup and stays out shall be deemed to have dropped, since such an oc­ currence shall be held contrary to the laws of gravitation which supersede the Rules of Golf and therefore illegal. The same rule shall be in force for balls which pass over the hole and remain out after striking the other side, since it is a well known scientific fact that any object attempting to maintain its position in atmosphere with­ out something to support it must drop, and hence shall be deemed to have done so rather than upset matters more than they are by disputing science. Faff Failing to Drop A ball putted on the green which reaches the brink of the cup and hangs there for want of a half or quarter turn further to cause it to drop shall be deemed to have made that half or quarter turn and duly dropped, provided the player has indicated by bodily contortions and gestures coupled with energetic supplication and prayer that he was genuinely desirous of this result. For since the player has thus indicated that he has made a diligent and accurate putt and it is not through any lack of desire or interest on his part that the ball has failed to complete its journey, it shall be so scored, since its failure to drop must then obviously be charged either to the manu­ facturer of the ball or the greenkeeper, or both. Likewise, to eliminate complaints frequently to the effect that "the ball stopped so close to the hole you could have blown it in,” the player in such case shall place himself lengthwise on the green be­ hind his ball and blow. If the ball drops, it shall be deemed to have been holed out properly. If not, a small, hand-type power­ generated air-compressor may be used. I know you would enjoy the game under the Gallico Rules. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 15 GIRLS’ JUNIOR GOLF IN PHILADELPHIA by MRS. B. H. BEATTY Chairman, Junior Girls, Women’s Golf Association of Philadelphia Girls’ junior golf in the Philadelphia district is rapidly becoming of pri­ mary interest to parents and junior players HANDICAPS FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS alike as a result of increasing activities stemming from organized junior commit­ tees in the individual clubs. As far back as 1924 J. Franklin Mee­ han, the father of an extremely talented golfing family, organized the Philadelphia Girls’ Junior Championship, donating the cup and the prizes. The event was open to all girls under 18 years of age whose parents were members of a club belonging to the Philadelphia Associations. In order to make the play interesting to the entire field, girls under 14 qualified for a Junior- Junior Championship. It was not uncom­ mon to have 5-year-olds enter the tourna­ ment. However, should a Junior-Junior so elect, she could play in the older class for the Junior Championship. In the first Championship each girl was presented a medal on which was inscribed "My First Tournament” and the player’s name and the date. A similar award is still being given each year to a new player. As the girls passed the eligibility age, Mr. Meehan wrote them a personal letter of regret for the tournament’s loss and wished them success in their adult golfing careers. Inter-City Match In order to inject additional interest into the youngsters’ golf, Mr. Meehan suggested a junior inter-city team match with New York. This was immediately accepted, and, with the interest and cooperation of Mrs. Frank Enos, of the Metropolitan district, who presented a lovely cup for the event, a proper agreement was drawn and the first match held in 1934. These matches are still a highlight of our Philadelphia junior golf. Effective in 1955, handicaps submitted by amateurs as a basis for eligibility for the Amateur and Open Championships must have been computed in accordance with USGA Golf Handicap System for Men (1953 edition). Either basic or current handicaps will be acceptable. While the USGA has long maintained a handicap qualification as a basis for eligi­ bility of amateurs in these Championships, it has not previously specified the method by which these handicaps should be com­ puted. In 193 8, following Mr. Meehan’s death, the responsibility of continuing the Junior Championship and the junior inter-city team match was assumed by the Women’s Golf Association of Philadelphia. The Championship Cup was inscribed as a memorial to Mr. Meehan. In 1934 the Association scheduled an annual Mother and Daughter Champion­ ship which now draws a large and inter­ ested field. Prizes are awarded for gross and net scores in various Junior age groups. With an ever-increasing desire for more and better junior golf, the Women’s Golf Association of Philadelphia in 1951 ap­ pointed Mrs. Daniel Krick, a member of the Executive Committee, as General Chairman of Junior Activities. This proved to be a big step in the right direction. Mrs. Krick’s great interest and tireless efforts resulted in a closely knit junior group. Clubs were asked to appoint a Chair­ man of Junior Golf. We have found that one of the most successful methods of or­ ganizing the junior programs at the in­ dividual clubs is the appointment of a husband-and-wife team as Chairmen of 16 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 Junior Golf. They in turn appoint an assisting committee also composed of hus- band-and-wife combinations. In this way better relationship with the members has resulted. Often a club will have its golfing juniors hold their own election of a Chairman and Co-Chairman to serve under the adults. It has proved most satisfactory to include both boys and girls in all activities, or­ ganizational as well as competitive. The Women’s Golf Association of Philadelphia each year holds meetings of the Chairmen of Junior Golf, one in the spring and one in the fall, at which time an opportunity is given the chairmen for the exchange of ideas and discussion of plans at the dif­ ferent clubs. Emphasis on Conduct This adult direction inspired even more interest among the young players, and it was not long before clubs in certain areas held informal team matches with neighbor­ ing clubs. Age groups were varied accord­ ing to the youngsters available. Nine holes was the usual tournament. The entertain­ ing club usually treated the teams to lunch and often, if the club had a swimming pool, the players stayed on for a swim. During the summer special junior open days were held at several of the clubs as well as weekly tournaments at their own clubs. Emphasis is placed on proper conduct on the golf course and knowledge and practice of the Rules and etiquette of golf. The Rules books supplied are very inter­ estingly illustrated, which make them easily understood. The result has been good sportsmanship, much of it learned through association with one another. The junior matches are informal, yet serious. The outcome of ideas exchanged among the Chairmen of Junior Golf has been the introduction of many beneficial plans at the various clubs. Many clubs use a point system such as the following: 2 points for playing in a tournament 3 points for winning a tournament 2 points for second place 1 point for third place 2 points for winning a putting contest Handicaps usually are determined by the three best nine-hole scores to be registered with the chairman. It is necessary to ob­ tain a handicap before one may enter a tournament. Most of the clubs maintain a ringer board for nine and eighteen holes, according to the age group, all ringer scores to be attested. Monthly pitching and putting contests are held and junior golf clinics are given at many clubs, with instructions in woods, irons and putting by members of the committee followed by four- and nine-hole tournaments. There are regular weekly tournaments scheduled covering four, nine or eighteen holes ac­ cording to the age group, interspersed with mixed foursomes, mother - and - daughter, father-and-son, adult-child and club jun­ ior championships. Often a club will hold a junior opening day tournament followed by a picnic, and a closing day dinner, with the awarding of prizes, including a prize for the most improved golfer during the season. All junior activities are planned on a day and at a time convenient to each in­ dividual member club’s program. Clubs have made their own arrangements as far as expenses are concerned. Some charge a small fee ranging from $2 to $10 which might include weekly group lessons from the club pro. Others make special junior allotments or simply receive donations from their members. It has been found satisfactory to issue a printed program of the various activities for the juniors, listing tournament dates, prize awards and pertinent information pertaining to rules, etiquette and sports­ manship. As we all know, it is pleasant to possess skill at golf, but golf’s chief contribution is knowing correct behavior, fine sports­ manship and the joy of keen competition. Giving the children this opportunity at an early age is a reward in itself. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 17 DO YOU KNOW YOUR GOLF? Answers to the questions below will be found on- page 21. Scoring-. All answers right: par 36. For every answer wrong: add 4 to 36. 1. The first native-born American to win the USGA Open Championship was: Score (a) Willie Anderson (b) Johnny McDermott (c) Francis Ouimet (d) Walter Hagen 2. Has it always been customary for golfers to carry more iron clubs than woods? ------ ——Yes ------------ No 3. The lowest 18-hole score ever made in the USGA Open Championship was: -------------(a) 62 by Ben Hogan —-------—(b) 63 by James B. McHale, Jr. -------------(c) 64 by Lee Mackey, Jr. 4. Amateur golfers may accept expenses to play in exhibition matches but not in tournaments. ------------ True ------------ False 3. Steel shafts for golf clubs were first approved by the USGA in (a) 1904 (b) 1910 (c) 1914 (d) 1924 (e) 1929 6. When a boundary is fixed by stakes or fence posts, which edge of the stakes or fence posts determines the out-of- bounds line at ground level? ----------- -(a) Inside edge, next to the course. ------------ (b) Outside edge, away from the course. 7. Does the term "fairway” appear in the Rules of Golf? ------------ Yes ------------ No 8. A wooden bridge is an obstruction (Definition 20), and a player is entitled to free relief from obstructions under the conditions of Rule 31. Your ball lies in a water hazard, and a wooden bridge interferes with your backswing. You lift your ball and find that, in dropping it within two club-lengths of the bridge, you could drop it outside the water hazard, onto the fairway. Is this permissible, with­ out penalty? ------------ Yes —---------No 9. A "rub of the green” occurs when: ------------ (a) A ball at rest is moved by an out­ side agency. ------------ (b) A ball in motion strikes an out­ side agency. ------------ (c) You slide on the grass while wear­ ing light clothes. 18 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 PLACEMENT OF TEE MARKERS by WILLIAM O. BLANEY Chairman, USGA Handicap Committee There are three important factors that should be considered when mark­ ers are placed on tees to indicate the area from which golfers must drive: 1. It is necessary to shift markers fre­ quently from one part of the tee to an­ other if the turf is to survive the rigors of constant use and play. 2. It is necessary to give consideration to wind and weather conditions if the course is to be kept in proper balance from an architectural standpoint. 3. It is necessary to maintain a fairly constant playing distance over the entire course if scores turned in by club mem­ bers for handicap purposes are to reflect accurately their true playing ability. The first factor needs no comment here. The second factor is less appreciated and therefore requires some enlargement. All golf holes are designed by architects with certain shots in mind. Such a shot might be a difficult carry over rough or sand or it might be a long and exacting iron or wood shot to the green. Any great varia­ tion in the playing conditions will natu­ rally affect the play of the hole. For ex­ ample, if the architect designed a hole around a long and exacting iron shot to the green under normal turf conditions and with the prevailing wind at the player’s back, the hole might well turn into a play­ er’s nightmare if the tee markers are placed on the very back of the tee on days when the wind is blowing in the opposite direc­ tion. In other words, such a hole can be maintained in better balance from an archi­ tectural standpoint by moving markers for­ ward on days when conditions are adverse, and back on days when conditions are ex­ tremely favorable. The third factor is the least known of all. The USGA Golf Handicap Systems for both men and women are based on a meth­ od of rating courses according to their playing difficulty. Each hole is given a rating in fractions of a stroke that is sup­ posed to equal the average score an aver­ age scratch golfer will make for every ten times he plays the hole without making any poor shots or any exceptionally good ones. Ratings, in the majority of cases, are different from the Par for the holes. This can be explained easily by pointing out that a Par 4 hole for men can vary as much as 195 yards (190 for women), and it is not hard to see that a 2 51 -yard hole plays easier than one of 445 yards. Each hole rat­ ing is made from that part of the tee most commonly used by club members during times of maximum play. This would be neither the extreme back part of the tee nor the extreme front but probably would be somewhere near the middle. Therefore, the placing of the markers on the forward part of the tee would, under normal condi­ tions, make the hole play easier, while plac­ ing them back of center would make the hole more difficult. If the markers on all tees are placed on the backs of tees, as they sometimes are for week-end play, the course as a whole will be more difficult to score on than the rating assigned to it for handicap purposes, while with all markers forward, as they are likely to be in the middle of the week, the course will play easier and scores will be lower. If all club members could play during the week as well as on weekends, the placing of all markers forward or back would have little effect in the relationships between their handicaps. But, unfortunately, some play­ ers are restricted by business or other pur­ suits to week-end play, and if all their scores are made when the markers are back, their handicaps will be somewhat USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 19 higher than those of players of equal abil­ ity who are able to play on week days. This is a handicap inequality that no handicap system can correct. The answer lies in a more intelligent and a more average place­ ment of tee markers throughout all seven days of the week. In order to explain more easily the meth­ ods by which the requirements of the above three factors can be met all at the same time, reference is made to the following illustration: This illustration is designed to represent an average tee on which the official rating of the hole has been made from the exact center of the tee, at the point shown by the black arrow. For purposes of later ex­ planations, both front and back halves of the tee have been further divided into three subdivisions, A, B and C. Recommended Procedure The recommended procedure will permit more orderly rotation in the placing of tee markers and at the same time will meet the requirements of all three factors. 1. In order to maintain a more uniform playing distance for the entire course at all times, the tee markers on nine of the holes should be placed on the back half of each tee, while the markers on the other nine holes should be placed on the front half. When a shift is scheduled or neces­ sary, the markers that have been back can be moved to the front, while those that have been front can be moved to the back. This method of having half the markers front while the other half are back should be followed religiously seven days a week throughout the entire season (the only ex­ ception might be during a championship or special tournament). There are two ways of accomplishing this: (a) by starting with the markers on the odd holes (first, third, fifth, etc.) on the back half of those tees and with the markers on the even holes (second, fourth, sixth, etc.) on the front half, or (b) by starting with the markers on the first nine holes back, and those on the second nine holes front. Either way accomplishes the desired results, but (a) is preferred as it gives both nines more constant playing distances. 2. Under normal playing conditions, the markers on both front and back halves should be placed somewhere within sub­ divisions B. This will maintain a good average playing distance for the course. However, if normal playing conditions extend over a long period of time, undue wear and tear can be suffered by the turf in subdivisions B, so two alternative plans are suggested: namely, the front markers can be moved to subdivision C and the back markers moved to subdivision A or the front markers can be moved to sub­ division A and the back markers to sub­ division C. Both alternative plans main­ tain the same average playing distance for the course. 3. When unusual or abnormal playing conditions exist, the following modifica­ tions are suggested. When an extended hot and dry spell makes the course hard and fast, subdivision C should be used instead of subdivision B on both front and back halves. When the course becomes soft and slow because of continued rain or other adverse weather, both front and back markers should be moved forward from subdivision B to subdivision A. Use of this plan will help maintain the course at the same relative playing difficulty antici­ pated by the official Course Rating, and as a result members’ handicaps will be af­ fected but little by such seasonal changes. 4. Both the architectural design of the course and its official rating for handi­ cap purposes are based on conditions that exist on most of the days during the play­ ing season or year. One of the principal points considered under both designing and rating is the strength and direction of 20 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 the prevailing wind. Green committees and course superintendents can be of consid­ erable assistance in maintaining the desired architectural balance and playing difficulty if they will adjust the procedure recom­ mended above to meet out-of-the-ordinary conditions. For example, take the case of a hole where the prevailing wind is at the player’s back, a following wind, so to speak, and the markers are scheduled to be placed on subdivision B of the back half of the tee. Dawn breaks to find the wind coming in from exactly the opposite direction, so that players that day will be hitting against the wind rather than with it. If it is a mild breeze, not too strong, placing the markers on the very front side of subdivision B might make the hole play more nearly normal. But if the wind is strong, placing the markers in subdi­ vision A would meet the situation better. This procedure would be reversed, of course, and the movement of the markers would be backward on holes where the wind of the day is a following one when normally it blows from green to tee. On courses having two sets of men’s tees, the plan of placing the markers on half the front tees and half the back tees when possible will help maintain a more even balance in the playing qualities of the entire course. If there is considerable difference in distance between the front and back tees, it would be advisable to obtain a separate course rating for each set of tees so that scores turned in for handi­ cap purposes can be properly evaluated. Women’s tees on most courses are on the small side, so the rotation of markers as recommended above is not so essential. However, the alternate front and back procedure on the odd and even holes will help the ladies obtain and maintain greater fairness in their handicapping. It might be well at this point to remind all green committees and course superin­ tendents of Definition 32 in the Rules of Golf which explains just where a player is permitted to tee his ball. It reads: "The 'teeing ground’ is the starting place for the hole to be played. The front is indicated by two marks, and the tee- DO YOU KNOW YOUR GOLF? (Answers to questions on page 18) 1. (b) Johnny McDermott. 2. No. It was usual to carry more woods than irons throughout the feather ball period (which ended about 1848) and through much of the succeeding era of the gutta percha ball. 3. (c) 64 by Lee Mackey, Jr., in 1950 at Merion, near Philadelphia, in the first round. 4. False. The amateur rules prohibit ac­ ceptance of expenses for exhibitions, as well as for tournaments generally. 5. (d) 1924. 6. (a) Inside edge, next to the course. See Definition 21. 7. No. What is commonly called fair­ way is part of "through the green”; see Definition 34. 8. No. A ball lifted in a hazard must be dropped and come to rest in that hazard unless otherwise provided for in the Rules; see Rule 22-3. 9. (b). See Definition 27. ing ground is the rectangular space two club-lengths in depth directly behind the line indicated by the two marks.” Inasmuch as the length of the average driver is approximately four feet, it can be seen that tee markers never should be placed closer to the back edge of the tee than about eight feet. Actually, in case a player desires to tee his ball exactly two club-lengths in back of the markers, he should be given an additional five or six feet of swinging room within which there is no tall grass, bush, tree or other inter­ ference. The primary interest of a green commit­ tee and a golf course superintendent is to keep the members happy. They do this by maintaining the course in as nearly perfect condition as possible. They can add further to the playing pleasures of the members by placing tee markers in such a manner that the course plays approxi­ mately the same way the architect in­ tended it to play, not only on some days but on every day throughout the season. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 21 THE REFEREE Decisions by the Rules of Golf Committees Example of symbols: "USGA” indicates decision by the United States Golf Association. "R & A” indicates decision by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. "54-1’' means the first decision issued in 1954. "R.37-7” refers to Section 7 of Rule 37 in the 1954 Rules of Golf. Ball Lost or Removed By Outside Agency sible at the spot from which he played his first shot? USGA 54-20 D. 6,22,29; R.l,7-2,21-3,27-1,29-1 Q: In stroke play, a competitor pushed his ball into the adjoining open fairway and down a slight depression, then helped an­ other member of the group look for a ball that was hooked into woods on the left. That ball found, the player returned to the adjoining fairway to look for his ball. It wasn’t found, and all members of the group felt that another group playing up that fairway (No. 4) must have picked it up. Earlier such a move had been observed on another player. Because it was a league event and with groups behind waiting to tee off, the player dropped a ball near where he thought he’d lost his tee shot. Our league plays on a handicap medal basis with two points only for low net victor of each match. Play was held in a four-ball, and the player who lost—or had stolen—his ball on No. 4 fairway did not return to the tee. He put his approach on the green and two- putted for a four—no penalty stroke (s) counted. Does he accept a one or two-stroke pen­ alty, since it was medal play and not match, for failure to play his ball as nearly as pos­ Question by: Vince Sikora Lorain, Ohio A: It is a question of fact whether the ball was lost (Definition 6) or was moved by an outside agency (Definition 22). In order to treat it as moved by an outside agency, there must be reasonable evidence to that effect; all available testimony should be considered. In the absence of such evidence, the ball must be treated as a lost ball, and Rule 29-1 applies. If the local Committee rules that it was a lost ball, the player did not conform with Rule 29-1. In dropping and playing a ball "near where he thought he’d lost his tee shot,” the player in effect played a wrong ball. He thus sustained a two-stroke pen­ alty under Rule 21-3. As he then failed to put another ball into play in the man­ ner required by Rule 29-1, he did not play the hole (Rule 1) or the stipulated round (Definition 29 and Rule 7-2), and he therefore had no score which could be ac­ cepted. On the other hand, if the local Com­ mittee rules that the original ball was moved by an outside agency, Rule 27-1 applies, and there is no penalty if the play­ er conformed with that Rule. 22 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 Ball Strikes Caddie Cart USGA 54-18 R. 11-1, 26-2b : A and B are playing a handicap match. On Hole 4 A pulled her drive be­ hind a group of small pine trees from where the green could be reached on a pitch, but she could not aim for the pin due to a large tree at the left corner of the green. B’s ball was a little short of the green. Both A and B were using carts. B stopped directly opposite A, about 15 yards, and no way in line. The ball caromed directly at B. A called to watch out, but it wasn’t possible for B to move the cart to prevent the ball from hitting her clubs. A asked what the penalty was, and B replied she did not know in this case. B knew the penalty for hitting player, op­ ponent, or caddie. But as a cart is an in­ animate object and she had no way to get out of line, B didn’t think she should take the penalty. B also was under the impres­ sion that the penalty should be A’s, and said she wasn’t sure what the penalty was, and would have to look it up. Neither having the Rule book with them, A said, "It doesn’t matter for I would lose the hole anyway.” B won the match 6 and 5. Later A looked up the Rule and said she felt B had been dishonest in not giving up the hole because she knew Rules ex­ cellently and always played them, and it was very strange that in this instance she wouldn’t know that if the clubs were hit B lost the hole. B claims she didn’t know that a ball hitting her clubs would cost the hole when they were on a cart. B offered to default the match. What is the ruling? Question by: Miss Clara B. Faulk Oshkosh, Wis. A: The hole stands as played, as a claim does not appear to have been entered as provided for in Rule 11-1. "If a player’s ball be stopped or deflected by an opponent, his caddie, clubs or other equipment, the opponent’s side shall lose the hole.” This would apply had A’s ball struck B’s caddie cart, which is "other equip­ ment” under the Rule. It is up to each player to know the Rules and so to know his own rights, regardless of the opponent’s knowledge. Obstruction Claimed To Be Mental Hazard USGA 54-19 D. 27; R. 11-1, 3; 31-2 Q: A player’s ball comes to rest several inches to the side of a flat sprinkler-head covering, and he declares his intention of moving the ball, stating that his ball is in the fairway and that he is entitled to a fair shot at it. His opponent objects, stating that the covering does not interfere with either the player’s stance or his forward or back- swing and that under golf Rules it’s a rub of the green and he is not entitled to relief. The question then arises as to who is to decide the question of what constitutes interference, the player or his opponent. The player maintains that the covering interferes with his swing in that it con­ stitutes a mental hazard, even though the ball lies four or five inches from the actual covering. Question by Mitchell N. Hotra Los Angeles, Cal. A: If the players cannot agree, a claim may be entered as provided in Rule 11-1 and the local committee shall decide it; see Rule 11-3. As the covering was at least four inches to the side of the ball, we would not con­ sider that Rule 31-2 could be invoked unless there were actual interference with the player’s stance or stroke or backward movement of his club for the stroke. Had A made a proper claim, she would have won the hole under Rule 26-2b, which provides: "Rub of the green” pertains to a ball in motion and an outside agency; see Defi­ nition 27. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 23 Identifying Bali in Rough USGA 54-22 R. 11-1, 23-2, 40-3g Q: Player A hits ball into rough. Part­ ner B hits same numbered ball into same area in rough (deep grass). Ball is found in rough. Opponent C tells player A to identify ball, expecting player A to move grass aside without touching ball. However, after he turns his back and starts to walk away he looks back and finds opponent standing with ball in hand. Play­ er A made no attempt to identify ball in its lying position. Opponent C called the hole and player A agreed. Three days later player A claims hole on ground Rule had not been quoted properly. He had a right to pick up ball and identify it. Question by: Jack B. Cherwin Newark, N. J. A: Player C apparently made a claim within the time limit prescribed by Rule 11-1, and player A admitted the validity of that claim. Therefore the hole stands as played. A’s later claim is not valid. It is up to each player to know the Rules on his own account. Although the matter is now academic, A did have the right to lift and identify his ball but, under Rule 23-2, he was obliged to lift and replace it in the presence of his opponent. It is a question of fact as to whether this was done. If the match was a four-ball match, A’s disqualification for the hole did not apply to his partner B; see Rule 40-3 g. Practice on the Course R & A 54-6 R. 30-2 Q: On Sunday, September 13, 1953, an 18-hole alliance competition was held on our course. At the end of the day’s play two competitors returned a net score of 64. According to the marking on the card, this was found to be correct. On Monday, September 14, they were declared the win­ ners and a notice inserted in all the local papers stating this fact. On September 29 I received a letter dated September 28 drawing my attention to an infringement of the Rules of Golf, Rule 37-3. This letter was placed before our committee which met on October 6. I was then instructed to write for your ruling on this case. The full facts of the infringement are: Two competitors were at the club on the morning of September 13 and having no opponents decided to proceed to the old eighth green, which is situated in the middle of the rough and has not been used for approximately five years. From evi­ dence it appears that they were practicing from out of the old bunkers there and onto the green. This portion of the course has not been recognized as a place of prac­ tice. These two competitors, having found opponents, played in this competition dur­ ing the afternoon. No complaint was lodged to any member of the Committee until the date of the letter. The committee are now seeking guidance from you, firstly, as to whether the above offence does constitute a breach of Rule 37-3, which entails disqualification, and, secondly, having in mind the lapse of time from the date of the competition to the date of the letter, what action the com­ mittee should take. The committee’s opin­ ion is that a complaint of this nature should be lodged on the day of the competition or at least within forty-eight hours, other­ wise it cannot be upheld, but it is on this latter point that we are seeking guid­ ance from you. A: The competitors had, in the circum­ stances described, committed a breach of Rule 37-3. However, a decision whether notice should be taken of an objection after the conclusion of a competition must de­ pend on the circumstances of the case in particular, the nature of the irregularity, the conditions which gave rise to it and the time which has elapsed. In this case, the Rules of Golf Committee agree that no action should be taken and the result of the competition should stand as announced. Treat your caddie as you would your son. 24 USGA JOURNAL ANO TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 Important Diseases of Ryegrass Greens by HOMER D. WELLS and B. P. ROBINSON Agent Pathologist, U. S. Department of Agriculture, and Southeastern Director, USGA Green Section, respectively There have been no comprehensive investigations conducted on diseases of ryegrass under green management. Most of the diseases of ryegrass and symptoms they cause have been described for condi­ tions where the grass is managed for for­ age or for lawns. Under intensive turf management, the disease symptoms as well as the role of pathogens in the disease com­ plex seem to be somewhat different. Cottony Blight Cottony blight is a warm weather seed­ ling disease of ryegrass caused by a soil inhabiting fungus which occurs in many southern soils and is known to scientists as Pythium aphanidermatum. In the early stages this disease is characterized by the presence of small irregular white spots in the turf. As the disease progresses, the small white spots become more pronounced, taking on a definite cottony appearance with the turf appearing as if someone had scattered cotton over the affected areas (Fig. 1). This appearance is due to an unusual amount of light colored aerial fungus growth. The disease develops very rapidly during periods of high humidity and high temperature. A turf that ap­ pears perfectly healthy on one afternoon may, under favorable conditions for the pathogen, be completely overrun by the disease the following morning. This is especially true where the pathogen has been introduced in topdressing material. Affected areas rapidly turn brown and may range from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The disease has been re­ ported as causing considerable damage, often completely destroying early seed­ ings on ryegrass greens from North Caro­ lina to Florida. Attempts to control cottony blight with a number of fungicides have not been satis­ factory. Fumigation of infested topdress­ ing material with a heavy rate of methyl bromide (5 pounds per 50 cubic feet of soil) has been effective, however, in eradi­ cating the pathogen from infested material. It is believed that the rate of application of methyl bromide can be reduced con­ siderably and still be effective. Since cot- Cooperative investigations at Tifton, Ga., of the Field Crops Research Branch, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station, the Georgia Experiment Station, the Southern Golf Association and USGA Green Section. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 25 Figure J: Cottony blight on two week old ryegrass seedlings. Figure 2: Helminthosporium spots on rye­ grass turf. tony blight is a warm weather disease of ryegrass seedlings and is most active at high temperatures (day temperatures of 80° F. and above with the low night tem­ perature not below 50° F.), the most ef­ fective means of preventing the disease at present is to delay the overseeding until the onset of cool weather. Helminthosporium Spots of Ryegrass During the past two years a study has been conducted on the green plots at Tif­ ton, Ga., on the cause of the ryegrass dis­ ease which has commonly been referred to as “dollar spot” in this area. Symptoms that characterize this difficulty are: The turf is completely killed out in small cir­ cular areas from one-half to two inches in diameter (Fig. 2). Oftentimes numer­ ous spots come together, resulting in large bare areas in the turf. During humid weather the centers of the affected areas are usually covered with a profuse fungus growth, producing a webby appearance. This is caused by organisms of decay which are not the cause of the disease. Leaves at the margin of the damaged area are cov­ ered with small brown spots which rapidly spread and blight the entire blades. Sclero- tinia homeocarpa, the fungus that causes the dollar spot disease, has not been found associated with the disease commonly called “dollar spot” on the plots at Tifton or on specimens received from golf courses in this area. On the other hand, two species of Hel­ minthosporium, Helminthosporium sic­ cans and Helminthosporium sativum, which have long been recognized as path­ ogens of ryegrass managed for forage pro­ duction, have consistently been associated with the “dollar-spot-like” symptoms on ryegrass. The first of these pathogens, H. siccans, seems to be most abundant during fall and winter; whereas H. sati­ vum is most abundant during the spring and is primarily responsible for the early loss of ryegrass greens during this period. As a general rule these pathogens can­ not positively be identified in the field. An acurate diagnosis is dependent on a microscopic examination of the diseased specimens. Under a microscope one can observe short stalks (sporophores) emerg­ ing from the leaf surface. These bear the typical long, narrow, cross-septate spores which are typical of the genus Helmintho­ sporium. These pathogens can be differen­ tiated by the fact that the spores of H. siccans are widest at the base and taper toward the tips. When placed in a drop of water the spores germinate at prac­ tically all segments. On the other hand, spores of H. sativum are widest just be­ low the middle and taper toward either 26 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 end, and when placed in a drop of water germinate at the end segments only. Since the causal organism of the dollar spot disease has not been found in asso­ ciation with the disease commonly called "dollar spot” in this area, it is highly de­ sirable that this common name not be used in association with the disease unless the responsible pathogen is identified. The term, "Helminthosporium spots of rye­ grass” is suggested for the common name of the Helminthosporium diseases on rye­ grass greens. It is suggested that golf course superintendents and greenkeepers send fresh specimens of diseased ryegrass greens to the laboratory at the Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, Ga., for diagnosis. This will give golf clubs information on the disease with which they are confronted and give the laboratory much needed information on the distribu­ tion and damage caused by these patho­ gens. Very little information from planned experiments is available on the control of Helminthosporium spots of ryegrass. Lim­ ited experiments and observations, how­ ever, indicate that the damage from these diseases can be significantly reduced. Ob­ servations on rates of seeding and rates of nitrogen fertilization experiments have shown that a medium rate of seeding (40 pounds of ryegrass per 1,000 square feet) coupled with a high rate of nitrogen (2 pounds actual N per thousand square feet at the time of seeding) resulted in sig­ nificantly less disease damage than a high rate of seeding (80 pounds ryegrass for 1,000 square feet) and a low rate of nitro­ gen (no additional nitrogen). In general the fungicides containing mercury have been very effective in controlling these diseases. Limited experiments have indi­ cated that Acti-dione may also be effec­ tive. Cadminate, which is a very effective control for dollar spot, has not proven to be effective against the Helminthosporium spots of ryegrass and, consequently, should be used only on the true "dollar spot” dis­ ease. It may be desirable to practice a pre­ ventive spray schedule (application at the recommended rates at two-week intervals throughout the ryegrass season). Many clubs, however, may think that the dis­ ease is not sufficiently destructive to war­ rant spraying at two - week intervals throughout the winter months. These clubs should be on the look-out for disease build­ up in early spring and start their spray schedule at that time. There are indica­ tions that golf clubs can maintain ex­ cellent ryegrass greens until late spring or until it is sufficiently warm to get a rapid conversion to bermuda greens by practicing a good fungicidal program. It is anticipated that more comprehensive fungicide investigations on ryegrass dis­ eases will result in specific and reliable information on the control of Helmintho­ sporium turf spots of ryegrass. Now Is the Time by MARVIN H. FERGUSON Southwestern Director, USGA Green Section Late summer and early fall is the best time to do many jobs on the golf course. The weather in most of the United States will become more pleasant and will become much more favorable to plant growth. The early fall season is the time to build next year’s turf. Cool-Season Grasses For cool-season grasses, late summer and early fall is the time for seeding new fair­ way or tee areas which are to be estab­ lished in turf, and it is the time for fertiliz­ ing existing turf. The treatment that you give the turf now, for the next few months, will determine the quality of your turf next spring. If your turf is com­ posed of cool-season grasses, late summer and early fall is the time for renovation. 1. Mow the existing turf as closely as possible. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 27 2. Cultivate the turf area thoroughly, dragging a chain-link fence mat behind the cultivation tool to break up the plugs and scatter them over the surface of the soil. 3. Weed control should be accomplished by elimination of weedy grasses and broad- leafed plants. It probably will be better to use an herbicide which is of more or less general nature, rather than trying to choose a selective herbicide for this pur­ pose. Sodium arsenite is still one of the best herbicides for this type of weed con­ trol. Of course, the final decision will depend upon the type of weeds present. 4. Lime or fertilizer should be applied as needed. Soil tests should be made to indicate whether you need to add large amounts of phosphorus and potash. At least 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet should be applied to the soil prior to the seeding or sprigging of the grass to be planted. 5. After the ground is thoroughly pre­ pared, seed or sprigs should be planted. If seed are to be planted, they should be divided into two lots and one lot sowed in each direction, so that you avoid over­ lapping or skipping. If the ground is bare and there are any slopes which would allow free water runoff, the new seeding should be mulched. It is necessary that the mulch be a clean straw or bedding material, so that you do not introduce weed seeds into the new seeding. 6. Newly seeded areas should be watered rather frequently until the new grass is up to a good stand. The surface of the soil should be kept moist and not allowed to dry out because the germinating seedlings are readily subject to injury by becoming dry. 7. Don’t wait too long to mow. As soon as the grass has come up and made enough growth that your mower will remove some of the clippings, it is time to start mow­ ing. In mowing a new seeding, the mower should be extremely sharp so that it cuts off the tender, young seedlings without pulling them out of the ground. It is also necessary to see that the mower wheels do not drag, thereby scarring the newly seeded area. Bent Greens Now is the time to build the root system on your bentgrass putting greens. Through­ out the summer water management has been of paramount importance in your maintenance program. Water management has been the key to whether or not you have kept good turf on your putting greens. It may have been necessary for you to syringe your greens in the middle of the day in order to keep them from wilting. As the weather turns cooler, you will not be faced with this difficulty, but water management will still be extremely im­ portant. If the soil profile is kept moist to the full depth of your putting green soil but not too wet in any portion of that profile, you will have good conditions for deep rooting. You should begin to let your soils become a little drier than they have been. Temperatures will be lower and the grass will not be using so much water, wilting will be less apt to occur and it will help the root system to expand if the soils are not too wet. Grass will continue to grow vigorously if the soil is reasonably moist. This is also the time to cultivate the soil in your putting greens. Cultivation can be accomplished with relative safety at this time because the grass will begin to grow rather vigorously and will readily heal the scars that are caused by the cul­ tivating operation. In regions where cool-season grasses are grown, now is the time for plans to con­ trol broad-leaf weeds. 2,4-D applied for the control of broad-leafed plants appears to do a better job when applied in late fall, because the grass is usually growing well at that time and will fill in the areas that are rendered bare from the control treatment. Herbicidal action is slower and weeds disappear slowly, allowing the grass to occupy the area as the weeds go out. If one waits until spring, he is likely to find weedy grasses, such as crabgrass, com­ ing in to take up the space left when the weeds were removed. No weed - control program should be undertaken, however, 28 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT. SEPTEMBER, 1954 Turf Management The book “Turf Management,” sponsored by the United States Golf Association and edited by Prof. H. B. Musser, is a complete and authoritative guide in the practical development of golf-course turfs. This 354-page volume is available through the USGA, 40 East 38th Street, New York 16, N. Y., the USGA Green Section Re­ gional Offices, the McGraw-Hill Book Co., 350 West 42nd Street, New York 36, N. Y., or local bookstores. The cost is |7. until your fertility level is sufficiently high to insure vigorous and rapid growth by the permanent grasses that are left in your turf. Warm-Season Grasses Over much of the South where warm­ season grasses are grown the turf will con­ tinue to make good growth until the first killing frost. Not much treatment is nec­ essary on warm-season grasses at this time of year except to see that they have enough fertilizer available to them to keep them growing vigorously until the onset of cold weather. Warm-season grasses should not go into the winter in a lush condition, but they should go into the winter in a vigorous condition. The roots and rhizomes of the grasses store reserve food materials as the grass goes into dormancy and a plentiful supply of the necessary plant food will insure that the grass will make vigorous growth when the weather becomes warm enough for it to begin growing in the spring. Putting greens in the South should be treated during this season with a view to overseeding with a winter grass. Bermuda­ grass should approach the overseeding sea­ son in a vigorous condition. It should not be lush but, as stated in the foregoing paragraph, it is important that the bermuda approach this season in a vigorous condi­ tion because a great deal of the top growth will be removed in connection with preparing a seedbed for the winter grass. It is necessary that the underground por­ tions of the plant which store reserve food materials have a good supply of reserve food, so that the plant will make good growth next spring. Transition from win­ ter grass back to bermuda will be much more satisfactory if the bermuda is ca­ pable of making vigorous growth as soon as warm weather comes on in the spring. Thus, it may be seen that now is the time to act to insure a satisfactory transition next spring. In connection with the overseeding of ryegrass or bentgrass for the winter months, it is not too early to begin to plan for this overseeding operation. You will need a good supply of topdressing ma­ terial. This material should have been sterilized with methyl bromide or with calcium cyanamid. Either one of these materials will kill weed seeds and will eliminate many of the disease organisms that might be introduced with topdressing used in connection with the overseeding. Inasmuch as young seedlings of ryegrass and bent are extremely susceptible to dis­ ease attacks during the fall season, it is quite important to have the soil used for topdressing as free from plant diseases and weed seeds as it is possible to have it. It is important at this season to have putting green mowers extremely sharp and well- adjusted, because the young seedlings are easily pulled from the ground. In all areas, whether cool-season grass areas or warm-season grass areas, the super­ intendent should look forward at this time to his winter work. He should begin to make plans to do every job possible during the light season so that he may take ad­ vantage of the letup in regular golf course maintenance work and so that he may keep his crew together and not allow them to bcome scattered before the turf-growing season of the coming year. As stated in the beginning, now is the time to build your turf for next year. The operations that you carry on now will have a great deal to do with how difficult or how easy your job will be in 19H. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENTS SEPTEMBER, 1954 29 Meet Bob Scott, Sr. Unique among the golf courses in the mid-Atlantic region is one which is almost entirely bentgrass — tees and through the green. Such a golf course ex­ ists. It is the Five Farms Course of the Baltimore Country Club, in Maryland. The man in charge of turf operations there is Bob Scott, Sr. Bob Scott was born in Galston, Ayr­ shire, Scotland. He comes from hardy stock, as evidenced by the fact that his father, now 93 years old, has been work­ ing on the large estate called Cessnock Castle for some seventy years. Bob, too, received his early training and studied hor­ ticulture on this estate, where all the Scott family was raised. Early in his youth Bob played golf with the gutta ball and cad­ died on a course within a stone’s throw of his home. Bob left Scotland and went to England to further his education in horticulture, intending to migrate to one of the British colonies. In the interim, Bob’s older broth­ er, Bill, came to the United States as a golf professional and advised Bob to get some experience in golf-course work. Bob took his brother’s advice and got a job on a golf course at Welbeck, in Nottingham­ shire, which was laid out and supervised by James Braid, one of the famous old golfers. Gaining experience there, Bob then came to the United States and was em­ ployed as a construction superintendent by a New York firm which was building many golf courses in the United States and Can­ ada. During that time he was sent to super­ vise the remodeling of the Baltimore Coun­ try Club, where brother Bill was pro. The golf committee asked Bob if he would like to stay with them to take charge of the golf course. That was thirty-four years ago. He has been there ever since. Builder of Five Farms Shortly after he arrived at the Baltimore Country Club, officials decided to build additional golf facilities, and it was under BOB SCOTT, SR. Bob’s supervision that the Five Farms Course was built. The PGA Championship was played there in 1928 and the USGA Amateur Championship was held there in 1932. Bob supervises the Baltimore Coun­ try Club’s Roland Park and Five Farms Courses, which include some 420 acres of ground with 28 grass tennis courts at the Roland Park site. Several major tennis tournaments have been held on these courts. Bob is a charter member of the Mid­ Atlantic Association of Golf Course Super­ intendents. He has held most offices from president on down in that organization. He is also a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. He was a member of its Board of Directors 30 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 and Vice-President of the Eastern Section in 1934 and 193 5. He regularly attends turf meetings and conferences and often is asked to participate. As he is situated close to the Beltsville, Md., office, Bob has been in close contact with the USGA Green Section down through the years, from the days of Lyman Carrier to the present day. The Scott family holds the distinction of having a total of more than 200 years’ experience in turf and golf-course work. Besides the elder Scott, Bob, and Bill, Dick Scott for the past thirty-two years has been superintendent at the Rolling Road Golf Course, Catonsville, Md.; David Scott is superintendent of grounds at the Prest­ wick Airport, in Scotland; and Bob’s son, Bob, Jr., is superintendent at Bonnie View Golf Club in Baltimore, Md. Years ago Bob planted white birch trees to serve as directional markers in a back­ ground of evergreens to the rear of each green at the Five Farms Course. Bob laughingly says that the white birch is truly a Scottish tree, "it repaints itself each year.” He is constantly experimenting with grasses and techniques on his golf courses and in his home. If you were to visit with him, he would show you around the golf course with the same enthusiasm and interest as if it were his first time over the layout. Although a veteran by all standards, Bob still is one of the keenest students in to­ day’s turf world. Keep A Turf Nursery ONE CAN NEVER ANTICIPATE attacks of diseases or insects, chemical burns, mechanical damage or vandalism which might destroy valuable turf on a putting green. What do you do to repair such damage? Is it a matter of having to wait for the grass to recover, to grow back from seed, or do you have a nursery to which you can go and take enough sod to repair the dam­ age quickly and easily? In case of such mishaps, a nursery can be invaluable. There are numerous strains of improved grasses available which have been studied at experiment stations and have been tested on golf courses until they have positively demonstrated their merit. Those improved strains which are known to be adapted to your area should form the basis for your turf nursery. On most golf courses, how­ ever, there are patches of excellent turf, which have developed over the years. These patches arise from a single seed planted many years before. These strains are known to be adapted to local conditions. Some­ times they may prove to be superior to some of the more widely tested strains. Every superintendent should make num­ erous selections of strains that are thriving on his own golf course. They should be grown in the nursery and compared with standard, improved strains. If local strains prove to be better adapted, they should be submitted to state experiment stations for inclusion in a larger testing program. This is the way new selections come to be grown. The question is frequently asked: "How can new and better strains be introduced into my existing putting green?” There is a very good opportunity for new strains to be introduced into existing putting greens at the time that cups are changed each week. If you change cups two or three times a week, it does not take long to introduce improved grasses into your greens in considerable quantities. Each time you change cups, go by the nursery, take up eighteen plugs of the im­ proved strains and substitute them into the old holes on the putting green. You will be surprised how quickly you will get the improved strain introduced. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 31 Sept. 14 COMING EVENTS Oct. 4, 5 Annual Turf Field Day, Westwood Country Club, St. Louis, Mo. Leo Bauman. Sept. 15 Southern California Conference on Turf Cul­ ture, University of California, Los Angeles, Cal. V. T. Stoutemyer. First Annual Rocky Mountain Turfgrass Con­ ference, Colorado A. & M. College, Ft. Collins, Colo. Prof. A. M. Binkley. Oct. 7, 8 Arizona Turfgrass Conference, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz. J. S. Folkner. Sept. 17 Utah Turfgrass Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. A. R. Emery, 721 East 3120 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Oct. 20-22 Fifth Annual Turf Conference, Kansas State Col­ lege, Manhattan, Kan. Wm. F. Pickett. Sept. 21, 22 Eighth Annual Regional Turf Conference. State College of Washington, Pullman, Wash. A. 6. Law. Nov. 8-12 American Society of Agronomy Annual Meet­ ing. St. Paul, Minn. Sept. 27, 28 Dec. 6-8 Midwest Regional Turf Foundation Field Days, Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind. Wm. H. Daniel, Oklahoma Turf grass Conference. Stillwater, Okla. Dr. Wayne HufFine. Sept. 30 Dec. 13-15 Northern California Turfgrass Conference, Uni­ versity of California, Davis, Cal. R. M. Hagan. Texas Turfgrass Conference. College Station, Texas. Dr. Ethan Holt. COURSE MAINTENANCE: $2,000 A HOLE An analysis of course maintenance costs at 25 golf clubs from coast to coast, made by Harris, Kerr, Forster & Company, reveals a nation-wide average of nearly $2,000 per hole as of 1952. While costs run higher in the Metropolitan New York area than in other sections, it is interesting to note that salaries and wages constitute, uniformly, about two thirds of the maintenance cost. A breakdown of the costs: Average New York Chicago All All 21 Clubs— (513 Holes) Area (12 Clubs— 297 Holes) Area (7 Clubs— 126 Holes) Others (6 Clubs-— 108 Holes) AVERAGE COST PER HOLE—1952: Salaries and Wages ............................................. Equipment, Maintenance and Repairs ........ Seed, Sand, Topsoil, Chemicals and Fertilizer Sundry Supplies and Expenses ............................ $1,3 56.20 144.15 272.91 162.62 $1,550.00 167.05 325.55 240.73 $1,102.67 113.55 254.40 44.57 $1,152.27 120.66 158.50 98.51 $1,935.88 $2,283.33 $1,515.19 $1,529.94 PERCENTAGE VARIATIONS— 1952 OVER 1951: Salaries and Wages ...................... Equipment, Maintenance and Repairs ............. Seed, Sand, Topsoil, Chemicals and Fertilizer Sundry Supplies and Expenses .......................... + 10.69% + 4.00 + 15.60 + 15.24 + 11.99% + 7.67 +23.25 + 5.03 + 12.60% 0.00 + 12.57 — 9.17 + 4.58% — 3.47 + 9.62 —50.57 Total .......................................................... + 11.19% + 16.29% + 10.76% — 4.47% 32 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENTS SEPTEMBER, 1954 IT’S YOUR HONOR From the LPGA To the USGA: The members of the Ladies’ Pro­ fessional Golf Association who partici­ pated in the recent Women’s Open at Salem Country Club have asked that I write and express the collective ap­ preciation of our Association for your sponsorship of the event. Without detracting from the gen­ erous and excellent efforts of our other sponsors, it must be said that the United States Golf Association Open has become, in its brief two years, our top tournament. As you well know, the success of a tournament is just as dependent upon many intangibles— the general atmosphere; the rapport between club members, sponsors, and participants; the spirit of the com­ petition; the significance of the title —as it is upon the tangible aspects. It is these intangibles which make the Open our finest championship. At a time when many outside pub­ licists and promoters seeks to degrade women’s professional golf for their own financial gains, we are particu­ larly grateful to your organization for your vigilant maintenance of the standards and traditions of golf. Please convey our gratitude for their efforts and our admiration for their organizational abilities to Mr. Grain­ ger and Mrs. Flippin, and to all of their capable and congenial assistants. All of us look forward to the third annual Women’s Open and pledge any possible assistance we might be able to offer you. Miss Betsy Rawls Secretary, LPGA Editor's Note: The USGA Journal invites comments on matters relating to the welfare of the game and will publish them if space permits. From the Veterans To the USGA: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the United States Golf Asso­ ciation and the Baltusrol Golf Club for your generous donation of eight passes to the Golf Championship at the Bal­ tusrol Golf Club. Our hospitalized veterans had a most enjoyable time watching golf at its finest, as played by the finest. Your interest in our patients is most appreciated. c. N. Baganz, M.D. Manager VA Hospital Lyons, N. J. Regional Turf Service To the USGA: We joined the USGA about 1936 in order that one of our members, Ed Kingsley, could enter the Amateur Championship, which he did and made a very credible showing, at one time being defeated in the semi-finals. We have since maintained our membership and, in addition, subscribe to the Re­ gional Turf Service, which we consider a very helpful and valuable service, particularly because, when this course was originally constructed in the year 1926, it was built with sand greens by the then Utah Copper Company and with very sparse turf in the fairways. In the year 1945 a program of grass greens was inaugurated, and they have since been maintained, except that with the counsel and advice of Dr. Grau earlier and Charlie Wilson pres­ ently, we have rebuilt a number, in fact, eight of the nine greens, using Colonial and Arlington bent grass, with the result that it has been stated that we now possess the best greens in the state. W. S. Hook, Sec. Utah Copper Golf Club Magna, Utah USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: SEPTEMBER, 1954 33 USGA OFFICERS. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN PRESIDENT Isaac B. Grainger, New York, N. Y. VICE-PRESIDENTS John D. Ames, Chicago, III. Richard S. Tufts, Pinehurst, N. C. SECRETARY Charles B. Grace, Philadelphia, Pa. TREASURER Charles L. Peirson, Boston, Mass. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The above officers and: J. Frederic Byers, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa. William P. Castleman, Jr., Dallas, Texas Thomas H. Choate, New York, N. Y. John G. Clock, Long Beach, Cal. Frederick L. Dold, Wichita, Kansas John W. Fischer, Cincinnati, Ohio T. R. Garlington, Atlanta, Ga. Gordon E. Kummer, Milwaukee, Wis. Edward E. Lowery, San Francisco, Cal. F. Warren Munro, Portland, Ore. GENERAL COUNSEL Fraser M. Horn, New York, N. Y. COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN RULES OF GOLF: Richard S. Tuffs, Pinehurst, N. C. CHAMPIONSHIP: John D. Ames, Chicago, III. AMATEUR STATUS AND CONDUCT: John W. Fischer, Cincinnati, Ohio IMPLEMENTS AND BALL: Charles B. Grace, Philadelphia, Pa. MEMBERSHIP: John G. Clock, Long Beach, Cal. GREEN SECTION: T. R. Garlington, Atlanta, Ga. WOMEN'S: Mrs. Harrison F. Flippin, Ardmore, Pa. SECTIONAL AFFAIRS: Charles L. Peirson, Boston, Mass. PUBLIC LINKS: Frederick L. Dold, Wichita, Kansas HANDICAP: William O. Blaney, Boston, Mass. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: J. Frederic Byers, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa. GIRLS’ JUNIOR: Mrs. John Pennington, Buffalo, N. Y. MUSEUM: Edward E. Lowery, San Francisco, Cal. "GOLF HOUSE" FUND: Daniel A. Freeman, Jr., New York, N. Y. USGA HEADQUARTERS "Golf House", 40 East 38th Street, New York 16, N. Y. Joseph C. Dey, Jr., Executive Director John P. English, Assistant Executive Director USGA GREEN SECTION South Building, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Md. USGA GREEN SECTION NORTHEASTERN OFFICE Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J. Alexander M. Radko, Northeastern Director USGA GREEN SECTION WESTERN OFFICE Box 241, Davis, Cal. Charles G. Wilson, Western Director USGA GREEN SECTION SOUTHWESTERN OFFICE Texas A. and M. College, College Station, Texas Dr. Marvin H. Ferguson, Southwestern Director and National Research Coordinator USGA GREEN SECTION SOUTHEASTERN OFFICE Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, Ga. B. P. Robinson, Southeastern Director