X j T l N g USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT END OF A PERFECT DAY Despite the unsea­ sonable weather, Bill Casper, Jr. and his wife Shirley ap­ pear to be enjoy­ ing the end of a perfect day follow­ ing Bill’s victory in the Open Champion­ ship at the Winged Foot Golf Club, Ma­ maroneck, N. Y. John G. Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated JULY, 1959 US6A JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT Published by the United States Golf Association 1959 by United States Golf Association. Permission to reprint articles or material in the USGA © Journal and Turf Management is granted to publishers of newspapers, periodicals and books (unless specifically noted otherwise), provided credit is given to the USGA and copyright protection is af­ forded. Neither articles nor other material may be copied or used for any advertising, promotion or commercial purpose. VOL XII, No. 3 JULY, 1959 Through the Green __________________________________________ 1 Jollity and Putting Come Easily to Casper ____________ Joseph C. Dey, Jr. 5 . _____________ ____________ — 10 Rules Changes in Prospect Tests of Golf Balls vs. Advertising Claims __________ Clarence W. Benedict 1.1 The Economic Future of Club Operation __________ William M. Haberkern 13 Deane Beman Returns British Title to U. S. ____________ _____ _____ 16 Federal Tax Liabilities on Calcutta Pools_____________ Philip H. Strubing 18 How to Use the Rules Book __ ____________________2_________ . 19 Three New Pictures in “Golf House” ________________ Paul R. MacDonald 20 Letters to the Secretary ________________________________________ 22 The Referee: Decisions under the Rules of Golf_______________________ 23 Turf Management: Shoe-Sole Questionnaire __________________________________ 25 Cup Changing Technique at Wee Burn ____________ A. M. Radko 28 Growth of Bentgrass Roots as Influenced by Temperature and Management __________ James B. Beard 30 H. Burton Musser Advances Turfgrass Management _______________ Charles K. Hallowell 31 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 should be sent to the above address. Entered as Second-class Matter, March 3, 1950, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., under the Act of March 8, 1879. Additional entry at the Post Office in Pinehurst, N. C. Edited by Joseph C. Dey, Jr., and John P. English. All articles voluntarily contributed. USGA COMPETITIONS FOR 1959 Championship or Team Match Entries Close Sectional Qualifying Rounds Dates of Event Amateur Public L.inks Closed Held July 13-18 Junior Amateur Closed July 21 Aug. 5-8 Girls' Junior July 31 None Aug. 17-21 Women's Amateur Aug. 6 None Aug. 24-29 Amateur Aug. 12 Sept. 1 Sept. 14-19 Senior Amateur Sept. 2 Sept. 22 Oct. 5-10 Location Wellshire Golf Course, Denver, Colo. Stanford G. C., Stanford University, Stanford, Cal. Manor Country Club, Norbeck, Md. Congressional C. C., Washington, D. C. Broadmoor Golf Club, Colorado Springs, Colo. Memphis Country Club, Memphis, Tenn. Whafs in a Name? To the list of appropriate names for golf clubs and courses, such as Dubs- dread, we can now add another from our list of new members: the Truth or Con­ sequences Municipal Golf Course, in Truth or Consequences, N. M. The Passing Scene Tommy Bolt, the champion, was in re­ markably high spirits when he came to the first tee for his final round in de­ fense of his title at the Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, N. Y. His scores in the first three rounds were 75-73-77, and his chances had gone a-glimmering, but he came out merrily for the wind-blown fourth, belted a drive a bit too high into the teeth of the gale and quipped when it fell to earth in unusual proximity to the tee: “Looks more like a two-iron shot, doesn’t it!” He played them all out for a 76 and a total of 301, nineteen strokes behind Eilly Casper, Jr. Reward Deferred John Cleary, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who teaches at the Flatbush Driving Range and occasionally has joined the profes­ sional tour, disqualified himself with a spectacular piece of honesty during the Long Island Local Qualifying for the Open Championship and found that, al­ though honesty is rewarded, the reward is sometimes deferred. Conditions on the day of play prompted the committee to permit cleaning the ball on the greens. On the fifteenth tee, Cleary broke open a new package of No. 3 balls, teed one up and played it successfully to the green. Once there, he marked his ball and tossed it to his caddie for cleaning. The caddie wiped the ball, but the one he tossed back was a No. 4, which Cleary had been playing through the first four­ teen holes. Cleary noticed the change, tossed it back and asked for the right one. The caddie tossed back another ball, Cleary put it in play, holed out and walked to the next tee. There he noticed that ball also bore the No. 4. After finishing with a 72, he reported the incident to the committee and, of course, learned that he had disqualified himself under Rule 21-3 by not holing out with the right ball. Had he returned and holed out with the right ball before playing the next tee, he would have in­ curred a penalty of only two strokes. It was a most unusual application of a Rule whose basic purpose is generally unquestioned, and it was, of course, an expensive demonstration of the maxim: “When a question arises, don’t make a move until you read the Rule.” Two competitors in the Local Qualify­ ing Round at Minneapolis, Minn., were in­ volved in another, equally distressing incident—and earned equally measurable respect for their integrity. John Myers, assistant professional at USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 1 the Interlaken Golf Club, and Robert Nordstrom, an amateur from the Hia­ watha Golf Club, inadvertently played from the wrong teeing ground at the fifth hole in the morning round. There are two teeing grounds at different levels on this hole at the Minikahda Club and their mistake was in playing from the upper level when the tee markers desig­ nated for the competition were on the lower level. When they came to the hole again in the afternoon, they discovered their mis­ take and, at the conclusion of the round, reported it to the committee. The com­ mittee decided it had no alternative un­ der Rule 13-2 but to disqualify them, since the error, again, had not been cor­ rected. This was painful not only to the players, for Myers had apparently scored 150 and earned one of the six qualifiers’ places, but also to the committee. Alfred W. Wareham, president of the Minnesota Golf Association, was as sympathetic as anyone but could only comment: “I ad­ mire him tremendously. That’s the sign of a real golfer.” Cameron Eddy Cameron Eddy of Wilmette, Ill., has at last been honored, richly if belatedly, at a testimonial dinner attended by Western and Chicago District Golf Associations. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC LINKS CHAMPIONS The Rancho Golf Course, in Los Angeles, Cal., lost two great friends in Harry Pack- ham and Charlie Lacey but it has never lost two of the qualities they left with the course—an abiding popularity and a crop of skillful players. Here is the Rancho Golf Club team which has held the Southern California Public Links Team Championship for two years: Tom Beck, Don Thornton, Bob Howe, Chuck Brenkus, Dick Ries and (kneeling) Captain Ed Korylak. They are, of course, represented in the USGA Ama­ teur Public Links Championship at Denver, Colo., this month. 2 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 The highlight was the unveiling of the Cameron Eddy Trophy, to be awarded to the medalist in the 72-holes of qualifying required in the Western Amateur Cham­ pionship. As an official at golf tournaments on a non-remunerative basis, Cam Eddy has few peers. Since 1937 he has offi­ ciated in 52 Western Championships and since 1946 hasn’t missed a. day of a Western event. In attending WGA Cham­ pionships, he has traveled more than 70,000 miles, equal to approximately three times around the world. He has spent a total of a year or more at tourna­ ment sites. A WGA officer since 1941 and cur­ rently a Vice-President, Eddy also has participated in the recent growth of the Evans Scholars program. Naturally, the USGA has not been un­ aware of Cam’s capabilities and loyalties. He is also a member of our Sectional Af­ fairs Committee. Winged Foot's Rugs Spectators at the Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, N. Y., saw at least one novel appointment —handsome green rugs laid off several greens. The rugs, round in shape, were made to cover iron manhole tops which are part of the club watering system. They were put down to prevent stray­ balls which hit them from taking crazy bounces. Heyday Recalled The playing of the USGA Amateur Pub­ lic Links Championship at the Wellshire Golf Course, in Denver, Colo., this month recalls pleasurably the happy heyday of that event—and of all USGA events—in 1946, when 3,586 filed entry for the same Championship at the same course. Never before or since had so many filed entry for any USGA Championship. The winner over this tremendous field was, incidentally, Smiley Quick, who went on to the final of the Amateur Championship, to the Walker Cup Team —and eventually to professional golf. That 1946 Championship was the per­ sonal project of N. C. (Tub) Morris, of Denver, long the USGA Public Links Committeeman there, and so is this 1959 Championship. The Championship continues to fill a real need on the golf calendar and is most popular and worth-while. However, the trend to private-club golf, especially in the Ea,st and South, has reduced the number who now enter, and the entry this year is a fairly normal 2,448. Grainger President The Board of Governors of the United States Seniors’ Golf Association elected Isaac B. Grainger president at its an­ nual meeting held in conjunction with the Association’s Championship at the Apa- wamis Club, Rye, N. Y., last month. Mr. Grainger is a former USGA president, having held that office in 1954 and 1955. Other officers elected were: James H. Ackerman, Princeton, N. J., first vice- president; Franklin G. Clement, Lake Forest, Ill., second vice-president; Mason B. Starring, Jr., New York, N. Y., secre­ tary, and James D. Miller, New York, N. Y., treasurer. 1961 Open The USGA has accepted an invitation from the Oakland Hills Country Club, Birmingham, Mich., to entertain the Open Championship in 1961. It will be Oak­ land Hill’s fourth turn as host. The 1960 Women’s Open Champion­ ship will be held at the Worcester Coun­ try Club, Worcester, Mass., July 21 through 23. Worcester Country Club was the scene of the 1925 Open Champion­ ship. Necrology It is with deep regret that we record the deaths of: James F. Blair, Minneapolis, Minn., golf professional at Minikahda Club, Min­ neapolis, Minn., for 30 years. Joseph Flynn, White Plains, N. Y., member of the USGA Green Section Com­ mittee. Tirso de Mesa, Los Angeles, Cal., mem­ ber of the USGA Senior Championship Committee. Joe T. Parkinson, Tulsa, Okla., member of the USGA Sectional Affairs Commit­ tee since 1955, a member of the USGA Green Section Committee from 1952 through 1954, and secretary-treasurer of the Oklahoma State Golf Association. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 3 USGA OFFICER EARNS AWARD John G. Clock (center), of Long Beach, Cal., a vice-president of the United States Golf Association, was given the annual Merit Award of the Southern California Sec­ tion of the Professional Golfers’ Association last spring and is shown here accepting. The Award is given for “interest and unselfish service rendered to the game of golf, with no thought of personal achievement or financial gain.” On the left is Guy Bellitt, incoming president of the SCPGA, and on the right Bud Oakley, retiring president. 4 ' USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 JOLLITY AND PUTTING COME EASILY TO CASPER BY JOSEPH C. DEY, JR. USGA Executive Director was postponed. The Open is distinctive in having two rounds on the last (third) It is sometimes hard to realize that golf is for fun. The concentration it re­ quires, and its many technicalities, tend to make it a sober-looking exercise. Where tournament professionals are con­ cerned, this is understandable, for who can laugh his way through his work, es­ pecially if hundreds of dollars may be riding on a four-foot putt? One who is different is William E. Cas­ per, Jr. The new Open Champion is a delightfully refreshing young man—full of natural jollity, relaxed and easy-going, and one of the most genuinely polite per­ sons you could ever meet. He enjoys food (he weighs 212), but he has declined to endorse tobacco and liquor ads because he doesn’t smoke and seldom drinks. Bill Casper has an impish sense of humor. Films of the third round of the Open were being televised before the round ended, and in the Winged Foot Golf Club locker room Casper was watch­ ing the show while Sam Snead played gin rummy nearby. As the player on the TV screen wa.s about to play a bunker shot, Casper said to Snead: “Now watch this fellow, Sam; he can really play this shot.” The ball came out of the sand to within holing-out distance. “Now watch him putt, Sam; he certainly has a stroke,” said Casper. The ball plopped into the hole. The player on television was Bill Cas­ per. Snead grunted. “You make more lucky putts than the rest of us do when we try,” he said, in mock disgust. If you could pin-point the two pieces of equipment that were perhaps the most useful to Casper last month at Mamaro­ neck, N. ¥., they would probably be his temperament and his putting—and there must be interplay between them. The West Course greens at Winged Foot were slightly slow by Open standards, and The Leaders Bill Casper, Jr. Robert R. 71-68-69-74—282 $12,000 Rosburg ___ 75-70-67-71—283 Claude Harmon 72-71-70-71—284 Mike Souchak _ 71-70-72-71—284 Arnold Palmer 71-69-72-74—286 Ernie Vossler __ 72-70-72 72—286 Doug Ford __ 72-69-72-73—286 Ben Hogan __ 69-71-71-76—287 Sam Snead __ 73-72-67-75—287 Dick Knight _ 69-75-73-73—290 Ted Kroll ...... 71-73-73-74—291 69-74-75-73—291 Gene A. Littler Fred E. Hawkins ___ 76-72 69-74—291 Dow Finsterwald ._ 69-73-75-74—291 6,600 3,600 3,600 2,100 2,100 2,100 1,350 1,350 900 600 600 600 600 —30 under par for putts. He putted 28 times in his first round of 71, 31 in his second round of 68, 27 in his third round 61 69, and 28 in his final round of 74; the only time he three-putted was on the tenth hole of the last round. His personality, however, transcends statistics. He could become one of the most popular of Open Champions. Casper is a Californian from San Diego. He had his 28th birthday the week before the Open, and has a charming family— Mrs. Casper and a daughter who will be 5 in August and a boy 3. He turned pro­ fessional in April, 1954, having played in the National Amateur Championship the preceding year. This was his fourth Open; he finished well up in 1956 and 1958, tying for 14th and 13th, respectively. Records This was an unusual Open in many lespects. For the first time in history a round USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 5 A HAPPY WINNER Bill Casper, Jr., with the Open trophy presented to him in a twilight ceremony. Courtesy, Macy Westchester Newspapers heavy rains accentuated this quality for the last two rounds, but Casper found the touch and used only 114 putts in 72 holes day, but rain and lightning during the th’rd roUnd caused postponements ag­ gregating 1 hour 50 minutes early in the day. ic was clearly impossible to hold a complete fourth round that day, so it was put over one day, to Sunday. Toward the end of the third day there was an­ other series of heavy thunderstorms, and the last three groups of players were de­ layed nearly two hours in finishing. With 61 players eligible for the fourth round, there was question whether it could be completed Sunday afternoon, for New York State law prevented play from starting before 2 P. M. But the players USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 A SMILING RUNNER-UP cooperated wonderfully, and all went well, though wind gusts reached 30 miles an hour and the temperature hovered around 50. The players were good sports­ men through all the vicissitudes of weather; how would you like to start your last round in the Open just before 5 P. M.? The original entry of 2,402 was 270 more than the previous high. A series of double qualifying trials, first in 57 local districts and later in 13 sections, was used for the first time. The system was generally so successful that it will be continued. Prize money for professionals was the richest in histoy. Originally it was scheduled to be 840,000. On the fourth day the USGA decided to add a 20% bonus to each prize. This resulted in a 812,000 first award for Bill Casper, and a total distribution of $49,200. To this must be added $1,300 awarded in the 13 Sec­ tional Qualifying Championships. Thus, the total Open Championship purse was CASPER’S 282 Hole Yards Par 4 442 1 4 415 2 3 217 3 4 4 435 5 524 5 324 4 6 3 167 7 4 438 8 4 468 9 4th 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 5 4 — — — — — — — 36 Out 2nd 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 3rd 4 4 3 4 6 4 3 4 4 1st 4 5 3 5 4 4 3 4 4 3,340 34 36 36 35 1st 3 4 5 3 4 4 4 3 5 2nd 3 4 5 2 4 4 4 4 4 4th Hole Yards Par 4 196 3 10 4 4 382 11 6 5 540 12 3 3 212 13 3 4 14 376 5 4 417 15 4 4 452 16 5 4 444 17 4 4 424 18 — — — — — — — 38 35 * 35 In — — — — — — — 74 Total 6,873 3rd 2 4 5 3 4 3 4 4 4 3,443 34 68 70 69 33 71 Bob Rosburg came within one stroke of forcing the Open into a play-off. World Wide Photos $50,500. The previous high was $35,000 in 1958. The total attendance for the first three days set a new Open record of approxi­ mately 43,377, of which 6,000 were com­ plimentary. This compares with the old record of 39,696 at Inverness in 1957, this figure including 3,600 complimenta- rie,s. Inverness’ Saturday crowd of 16,527 remains the peak for a single day. Fol­ lowing are approximate figures for Wing­ ed Foot, including 2,000 complimentaries each day: Thursday________ 13,773 Friday __________ 14,594 Saturday ________ 15,010 Total_______ 43,377 A distinctive feature was the following USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 7 GALLERY INTEREST WAS NOT DAMPENED A scene at the first tee shortly after the Open got underway on the ill-fated third day. The Scottish-type weather soon forced a temporary suspension of play, but it could not dampen the ardor of the gallery. World Wide Photos scoreboard—52 feet long by 14 feet high. In one section it showed the hole-by-hole scores of the leaders each day; in an­ other section, it showed the cumulative standing of the leaders with relation to par. The characters were approximately a foot high and could be seen well from a couple of hundred yards away. Marines with walkie-talkies accompanied the leaders and flashed results as promptly as a hole was played. The Competition As so often happens in the Open, there was a thrilling finish. Bill Casper set up his 72-hole score of 282, two over par. Mike Souchak and Bob Rosburg both came to the home hole needing birdie 3s to tie. Rosburg’s 4 gave him 283 for local rule for the last two rounds: “Damage to putting green caused by im­ pact of a ball may be repaired by any means other than by stepping on dam­ aged area. Ball may be lifted to permit repair and shall then be replaced on spot from which lifted.” A rule similar to this is scheduled to become part of the Rules of Golf in 1960. Finally, in the way of records, the USGA introduced the largest known second prize of $6,600. Souchak needed 5 for 284, and that tied him with Claude Harmon, who made one of the best show­ ings of a home club professional. As Har­ mon said, these four leaders were also about tops “pound for pound.” Casper took the lead at 36 holes, with 139, and stayed in front thereafter. His 54-hole score of 208 was the second low­ est in history, being surpassed only by Ben Hogan’s 207 in 1948 at Riviera in Los Angeles, where Ben set the Open scoring record of 276. There was, as always, great interest in Hogan and Snead, and both made a real run for it. Hogan started with 32 on the first nine; his finish for a 69 put him in a four-way tie for the lead. At 36 holes he was 140, a stroke behind Casper; at 54 holes he was second with 211, but Casper had stretch­ ed his lead to three strokes. Ben started his final round handsomely but did not sustain it and finished with 76 for 287— tied for eighth with Snead. Always, un­ 8 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 til well along in the final round, Hogan was within striking distance of an un­ precedented fifth Open title. Snead, who never has won the Open, had a great third round of 67 that put him in the thick of contention with a 54- hole score of 212. He needed 75 in the blustery wind of the final day, when no one matched par 70, much less broke it. Rosburg, a great putter like Casper, al­ so had a 67 in the third round that vault­ ed him into the running. He and Snead, with their 67s, had the lowest rounds of the Championship. Low amateur was James R. English, of Denver, with 299. Tommy Bolt, the defending champion, scored 301. Winged Foot has now held five USGA events, four of them on the West Course, but it was never put to the test as severe­ ly as this time. The weather Saturday created unusual problems, particularly since the East Course was used for auto­ mobile parking; unfortunately the course was damaged in the rains. But the Winged Foot organization did a splendid job, under the chairmanship of Walter E. Kolb, President. It simply is not possible to appreciate completely the vast labors of the volunteer commit­ tees who make the Open possible; one has to be involved in order to grasp its magnitude. The West Course was an eminently fair test. It was in superb condition. A player on a practice day was walking along a fairway when something he was just pass­ ing caught his eye. “Ah, a weed,” he said incredulously. HOW THE LEADERS STOOD AFTER EACH ROUND 18 Holes Gene Littler _________________ 69 Dow Finsterwald _____________ 69 Dick Knight ________________ 69 Ben Hogan _________________ 69 Hillman Robbins, Jr. __________ 70 Bill Casper, Jr. _____________ 71 Don January_________________ 71 Bo Wininger ________________ 71 Gary Player ________________ 71 Don Fairfield ______________ 71 Cary Middlecoff _____________ 71 Arnold Palmer ______________ 71 Mike Souchak _______________ 71 Ted Kroll __________________ 71 Lionel Hebert________________ 71 36 Holes Bill Casper, Jr. _______________ 139 Gary Player _________________ 140 Ben Hogan __________________ 140 Arnold Palmer _______________ 140 Doug Ford __________________ 141 Mike Souchak _______________ 141 Dow Finsterwald _____________ 142 Ernie Vossler _______________ 142 Gene Littler _________________ 143 Jay Hebert __________________ 143 Claude Harmon _______________ 143 54 Holes Bill Casper, Jr. _____________ 208 Ben Hogan ____ 211 Sam Snead _________________ 212 Arnold Palmer ______________ 212 Robert R. Rosburg ____________ 212 Doug Ford _________________ 213 Claude Harmon ______________ 213 Mike Souchak _______________ 213 Ernie Vossler _______________ 214 Lionel Hebert 215 Gary Player _________________ 216 Bo Wininger ________________ 216 72 Holes Bill Casper, Jr. ______________ 282 Robert R. Rosburg ------------------- 283 Claude Harmon ______________ 284 Mike Souchak _______________ 284 Doug Ford _________________ 286 Ernie Vossler _______________ 286 Arnold Palmer _______________ 286 Ben Hogan _________________ 287 Sam Snead _________________ 287 Dick Knight _________________ 290 Ted Kroll __________________ 291 Gene A. Littler ______________ 291 Fred E. Hawkins _____________ 291 Dow Finsterwald _____________ 291 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 9 RULES CHANGES IN PROSPECT Penalties Reduced in USGA Trial Agreement on proposed alterations to the Rules of Golf has been reached by negotiating committees of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the United States Golf Association as a result of their quadrennial meeting at Morth Berwick, Scotland, last May. The proposals are subject to approval by the General Committee and the mem­ bers of the Royal & Ancient. Any final action cannot be taken until mid Septem­ ber. Changes approved would become ef­ fective January 1, 1960. Amendments in the substance of the Rules would be comparatively few in number, most of the proposals dealing Situation I960 out of bounds loss of distance only with technical alterations for the pur­ pose of clarification. Two of the more substantial proposals concern the putting green. They would permit (a) cleaning the ball and (b) re­ pairing ball marks by any method except by stepping on the damaged area. By agreement of both parties, the USGA Executive Committee has approved amendments for trial in the United States of the Rules dealing with a ball lost, out of bounds or unplayable and a provisional ball. Penalties for balls lost, out of bounds and unplayable will be reduced for a one-year trial starting January 1, 1960 as follows: lost unplayable loss of distance only optionally either: (a) stroke and distance or (b) drop directly behind unplayable position for one-stroke penalty, except that in a bunk­ er the ball must be dropped in the bunk­ er At Present stroke and distance stroke and distance optionally either: (a) .stroke and distance or (b) drop directly behind unplayable position for two-stroke penalty There will be no change in the pen­ alties for a ball in a water hazard. Full text of the 1960 Rules will not be available until the fall of 1959, at which time the status of the provisional ball under the trial rule in effect in the United States will also be announced. It is emphasized that the changes will not be effective until 1960. USGA handi­ er ps must continue to be computed under 1959 Rules. To preserve traditional aspects of the game and to combat tendencies toward introduction of gadgets, the R&A-USGA alterations would require that the flag­ stick be straight and circular in cross- section and would prohibit artificial de­ vices for gauging or measuring distance or conditions which might affect a play­ er’s play. Further, the decision to have the flag- stick attended or removed would have to be taken before the player plays his stroke. If a ball were moved in moving a loose impediment on the putting green, there would be no penalty, whereas there is now a penalty of one stroke. io USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 TESTS OF GOLF BALLS VS. ADVERTISING CLAIMS CLARENCE W. BENEDICT Chairman USGA Implements and Ball Committee By Tests of golf balls have been sponsored by the United States Golf Associa­ tion in an effort to determine whether certain brands have advantages in dis­ tance qualities claimed in published ad­ vertising. Two types of tests were conducted: one outdoors to measure distance of flight and one indoors to measure velocity im­ mediately after the ball is struck. As a result of the tests, it is the As­ sociation’s view that no brand is appre­ ciably superior to its several nearest com­ petitors. In the distance-of-flight tests, some brands which have made the greatest claims of extra distance were compared with a mixed collection of balls consist­ ing of many good quality brands. The average carry of all balls tested was ap­ proximately the same when Brand A and Brand B were either counted in the av­ erage or excluded from it. In the velocity tests, the average of each brand was within USGA specifica­ tions; however, one brand was ruled as not conforming because an appreciable percentage of its balls was slightly in ex­ cess of the technical limit. Outdoor Flight Tests The USGA conducted a series of out­ door tests on a driving machine this spring and had access to reports of other tests by manufacturers. To check results from those tests, the USGA then authorized the United States Testing Company, Hoboken, N. J., to conduct an independent test at the Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, N. Y., on May 20, 1959. This test was observed by the Chairman of the USGA Implements and Ball Committee and the USGA Executive Director. Following are extracts from the report of the United States Testing Company regarding the Winged Foot test: “The purpose of this test program was to ascertain the distance of flight (carry) of various golf balls after im­ pact with a uniform, known impact velocity. “The tests were conducted using a golf ball driving machine, manufactured by the MacNeill Engineering Co., Waltham, Mass. The site of the tests was the ninth fairway, East course. The fairway was marked off, starting at a distance of 180 yards from the driving machine. Rope markers were laid across the fair­ way in increments of 10 yards in such a manner that the distance from 180 yards to 260 yards was clearly defined. “The driving machine, with its variable speed motor, was pre-set at a fixed im­ pact velocity to produce a carry around the 220-yard range. After the range was determined by use of practice golf balls, the impact velocity was set and was not changed throughout the entire test. The direction of drive was north to south with a slight westerly wind prevailing throughout the test run. “The driving machine drives two balls simultaneously by separate driving arms, and in order to eliminate any variation due to the degree of impact each ball was driven with both arms of the ma­ chine. Four men were stationed in the area laid out by our markers to record the point of carry and identification of the ball being driven. “The method of test employed in this program was a fair one. “The golf balls that were used in this test were purchased in pro shops of sev­ eral golf clubs by the client. Fourteen brand name golf balls were tested giving a wide selection of similar quality balls.” Following are composite average car­ ries with respect to blows by both arms of the driving machine as reported by the United States Testing Company: All brands tested: 223.7 yards. All brands tested except Brand A: 223.6 yards. All brands tested except Brand B: 223.4 yards. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 11 Indoor Velocity Tests Velocity tests under controlled condi­ tions indoors are conducted at regular intervals by the USGA, pursuant to a Rule of Golf that the velocity of the ball be not greater than 250 feet per second when measured on the USGA’s aparatus, with a maximum tolerance of 2% allowed on any ball. All except one brand of ball was con­ sidered to have conformed with this Rule in the most recent USGA velocity tests. In the one non-conforming brand the fastest balls were only slightly more than one foot per second beyond the tolerated limit, but the average of all balls of this brand was within the limit. Small Balls The Association also has renewed its request to USGA Member Clubs that they prohibit use of balls which do not con­ form with USGA specifications. This has special reference to balls which measure less than 1.680 inches in diameter, which is the minimum under USGA Rules. The Association is conscious of a grow­ ing practice among certain golfers to play a smaller ball. This is not only unsports­ manlike but is a threat to the integrity of the game. The remedy rests with the Member Clubs. Improved Test Sought The Association is seeking to develop improved methods of limiting the dis­ tance qualities of golf balls. Although a longer ball might offer brief, temporary advantages to a few, its use inevitably would distort the present playing values of golf courses and greatly damage the national investment in clubs and courses. It i,s to the interest of every club to cooperate actively in supporting the As­ sociation’s program. USGA COMPETITIONS FOR 1960 Championship or Team Match Entries Close Qualifying Rounds Dates of Event Location Curtis Cup Match (1) — — May 20-21 Open May 4 May 23 June 6 June 16-17-18 Amateur Public Links *June 2 tJune 19-26 July 11-16 Women’s Open July 6 None July 21-22-23 Junior Amateur June 29 July 19 Aug. 3-6 Americas Cup Match (2) — Girls' Junior July 29 Women’s Amateur Aug. 3 — None None Aug. 11-12 Aug. 15-19 Aug. 22-27 Amateur Aug. 10 Aug. 30 Sept. 12-17 Senior Amateur Aug. 24 Sept. 7 Sept. 19-24 Lindrick G. C., Worksop, Nottinghams. Cherry Hills C. C., Englewood, Colo. Ala Wai G. C., Honolulu, Hawaii Worcester C. C., Worcester, Mass. Milburn G. & C. C., Overland Park, Kan. Ottawa H. & G. Club. Ottawa, Canada The Oaks C. C., Tulsa, Okla. Tulsa C. C., Tulsa, Okla. St. Louis C. C., Clayton, Mo. Oyster Harbors C., Osterville, Mass. World Amateur Team — — Sept. 28-Oct. 1 Merion G. C., Ardmore, Pa. Re Amateur Public Links Championship: * Entries close with each Sectional Qualifying Chairman. t Exact date in each Section to be fixed by Sectional Chairman. (1) Women’s amateur teams: British Isles vs. United States. (2) Men’s amateur teams: Canada vs. Mexico vs. United States. 12 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 THE ECONOMIC FUTURE OF CLUB OPERATION By WILLIAM M. HABERKERN Harris, Kerr, Forster & Company No matter whether a club be large or small, it is becoming more and more difficult to maintain on a paying basis. The problems, and the complexities of day-to-day management are best solved through a communion of ideas that are the natural by-product of meeting to­ gether. If a financial surplus is accumulated, the manager is subject to criticism, for the member believes such surplus repre­ sents a failure to provide benefits to which he is entitled. On the other hand, to incur a deficit is to portend an assess­ ment which he usually feels to be in­ excusable. Let us look at the economic picture in club operation across the country and see whether the future for a club manager is a rosy one. In the annual study of our firm, we found the average annual net operating cost per member to be $286 in country clubs. Balance these costs against your annual dues, and little remains for debt service, capital improvements, etc. The Private Party The ace in the hole to most club man­ agers is the member-sponsored banquet or private party. Recently, the public press has given considerable coverage to rulings by the Internal Revenue Service in respect to this source of club income. This agitation is not new and will be revived from time to time in the future. A manager must be extremely discreet in scheduling such events, limit any affirmative solicitation and make certain that in fact they are member-sponsored so as to insure the non-profit tax status of his club. Under no circumstances can the club afford to enter into open and direct competition with the commercial restaurant. Although a club member is usually aware that the frequency of member- sponsored parties is his best insurance against an assessment, he nevertheless is inclined to resent any specific in- NEW MEMBERS OF THE USGA REGULAR Bakerstown Golf Club Brookhaven Country Club Champions Golf Club Green Meadow Country Club Monroe Golf and Country Club Oak Meadow Country Club Panhandle Country Club Riverton Country Club Timberlane Country Club Twin Oaks Country Club Williamsburg Country Club Willowbrook Golf Club ASSOCIATE Bethel Inn Elm-Brooks Country Club Gunpowder Golf Club Orchard Hills Country Club Pa. Texas Texas Mont. Ga. Mo. Neb. Wyo. La. Mo. Va. N. Y. Me. Iowa Md. N. J. vasion of his club’s privacy. To maintain a proper balance in scheduling these events requires considerable perspicacity. Patronage Even though the membership of the club be high, it is usually a small seg­ ment that regularly patronizes its reve­ nue-producing facilities. An analysis in one of the larger San Francisco country clubs during the two peak-volume months indicated that, on the average, 28 per cent of its membership did not patronize the club at all and 40 per cent spent $5 or less per month. When we consider that, exclusive of admission and transfer fees, only about 30 per cent of the av­ erage club’s income is derived from dues, this lethargy in patronizing its revenue­ producing activities is appalling. Many plans have been offered as a cure for the problem. The most often mentioned is one whereby each member is required to spend a fixed amount each month for food and/or beverage. Usually these monthly quotas are cumulative but must be consumed by year end. Although the plan may accomplish its purpose financially, it has not proved too popu­ lar. In country clubs, many members re­ tain their membership solely for sports USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 13 activities and resent being forced to swell food and beverage sales. Furthermore, the cumulative feature is exercised by too many members at the same time, placing an undue strain upon operating facilities at certain periods of the year, particularly during holidays. Since November 1, 1958, the entire amount of such minimum charges is subject to the 20 per cent Federal dues tax, whether used or not. Taxes The trend of city workers to suburban living is leading to increased values in land occupied by golf courses. In sub­ urban San Mateo County, Cal., the as­ sessed valuation of the land owned by eight golf and country clubs increased 122 per cent in 1957-58 over that of the previous year. To move to a less central .site, where rents or real estate values are lower, would be almost suicidal. Just how long club income can keep pace with increased rents and taxes is a matter for serious conjecture. Dues There are those who logically reason that club facilities are always available to all members, whether or not they see fit to use them; therefore, that all fixed operating charges should be borne equally through the members’ dues and that any departmental profit should be reserved for improving those facilities which are their source. This, of course, would mean a sizable increase in the dues structure of most clubs. We are certainly becoming more and more self-conscious about our spending. Club dues usually fall into the category of non-essentials and are likely, there­ fore, to be number one in that line of things we can do without. Any material increase in dues should be considered with the utmost prudence. One should not think in terms of raising prices and/or dues until maximum pro­ fits are obtained from present operations. That means putting the club operation on a business basis, for in a final analysis it is a business and some clubs are big business. Good Management Let us consider, therefore, the ingredi­ ents of good business management for a club. The responsibilities and authority of the board, officers and employees, as provided in the by-laws, should be clearly set forth in an organization chart. Every club needs such a chart. Even though the chart be simple, it must clearly delineate the flow of authority from the Board of Directors to the officers and down through the entire organization. It then provides a definite plan of operation, a definite assignment of responsibility and adds in the attainment of smooth, har­ monious personnel relations. The advantage of the traditional dis­ tribution of duties among various com­ mittees may often become a disadvantage. The inability of committee members to devote sufficient time to club activities tends to place committee chairmen in the position of an executive committee with the manager as an assisting member. In many instances a manager has assumed the responsibilities of numerous com­ mittees. However, where this is not con­ sidered desirable, more effective con­ tinuity in the membership of the prin­ cipal standing committees should be de­ veloped. The change of officers and committee members each year presents a pressing problem, for no matter how successful the appointed member may be in his own business, generally he is not familiar with the peculiarities of club operation. If the tenure of office for both directors and standing committees were to be stag­ gered so that only one-half or one-third of their membership were changed each year, a more constant and competent operating policy would be assured. Although the club manager serves in a full-time capacity, the board and com­ mittee members are usually engaged in their own businesses. A manager, there­ fore, must be given the opportunity to take the initiative by offering his serv­ ices and know-how to facilitate the func­ tioning of these various committees. Budget A budget is a financial plan for future cperations. Budgeting is essential as a guide to operations, to reduce the num­ ber of unforeseen contingencies and to preserve a favorable current position. Such a plan .should indicate your best estimate of income from dues and other sources. All types of expenditures should be forecast so that they can be held with-, in the limit of income. 14 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 A club budget should be prepared to achieve reasonable and concise methods of control and to avoid the pitfalls of operating without a plan. Good organiza­ tion is essential to successful budgeting. It would be impractical to attempt to control expenditures if authority and re­ sponsibility for incurring them had not been well defined. Comparisons of present operations with past results within a club, as pro­ vided by budgetary control, although ad­ vantageous are not enough. Learning through trial and error is slow and ex­ pensive. How much better it would be if a club manager could check the op­ erating results of his club, from year to year, with those of similar clubs by adopting the Uniform System of Club Accounting. It would help to eliminate friction be­ tween club management, governing boards and committees and would pro­ vide a guide for efficiency in club management. At times managers are cri­ ticized because it appears they have made a poor showing in operating re­ sults in comparison with other clubs. Without uniformity in accounting pro­ cedure, the .same facts can be presented in ways so different that the value of comparison is completely destroyed. While differences in accounting treat­ ment do not change the net result, there would be sufficient differences in depart­ mental exhibits to destroy the value of comparisons between the details of op- perations. Cost Control Again, based upon the Harris, Kerr, Forster & Co., statistics, in country club operations about 65 cents of the income dollar is derived from food and beverage sales. Profits from these departments, therefore, become a most important fac­ tor in the economic future of club op­ eration. It does not make sense that profits realized from sales to a member at the bar should compensate for a loss on the sale of steaks in the dining room. If this be true, the success or failure of the revenue-producing departments of any club is dependent upon the ratio of beverage sales to the total food and beverage income. This is fundamentally unsound, for each revenue-producing de­ partment of a club should at least stand on its own feet. To attain that goal is to implement adequate cost control. During recent years our firm de­ veloped for hotels a comprehensive and effective cost control procedure for food and beverage as well as a system for pre-control of payroll. A blanket applica­ tion of these systems in most clubs would be too detailed and expensive to operate. However, there are certain fundamentals on which these systems are based that are essential to the economical opera­ tion of a food and beverage department. The fluctuating food commodity mar­ ket has forced us to be alert to the ad­ vantages of shopping the market for price and quality. It seems necessary to follow up with a second step: seeing that we receive that for which we pay. The man who receives must be just as skilled in recog­ nizing quality as the man who purchases. If a club be large enough to justify a receiving clerk, then he must be selected and paid in relation to his ability to do the job. If a club be small, then the manager must assume these responsibili­ ties. There is little difference between a bank and a storeroom. One is for the safekeeping of money and the other for the safekeeping of supplies. Inventory, hKe money, is of little productive value unless it is working for its possessor, and there must be frequent turnover if maxi­ mum profits are to be obtained. A heavy investment in food for the purpose of gain through market fluctua­ tion is hazardous and often costly. Any savings experienced through buying in quantity is usually more than offset by Storage and handling charges, property taxes, insurance and loss of the produc­ tive value of the capital invested. In storing perishables over a long period, the operator must run the risk of de­ terioration and spoilage and the possible loss in weight through dehydration. It is an old but still reliable admonition that “there is no future in buying futures and no bargain in food.” Course Rating The women’s course rating for the Country Club of Buffalo, N. Y., is 72. The rating of 74 reported in the April issue of the USGA Journal was in error. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 15 Deane Beman Returns British Title To V. S. By GEOFFREY COUSINS Golf Correspondent, London Star Fifty-five years ago an entrant from the United States, Walter J. Travis, who smoked black cigars and did deadly exe­ cution with a centre-shafted putter, won the British Amateur Championship on the Royal St. George’s Links at Sand­ wich, Kent, the first overseas player to do so. It was touch-and-go on the same links this spring whether another cigar-smoking American with an equally lethal putter would repeat the feat. Lt. Bob Magee, on leave from his Army duties at Heidelberg, ran out of cigars and putts in the semi-final round and was beaten at the thirty-eighth hole by William Hyndman, III, of Philadelphia. In the 36-hole final Hyndman, 43 and tired out, was beaten, 3 and 2, by slight, fair-haired 21-year-old Deane R. Beman, of Bethesda, Md., and the University of Maryland. Beman, who became in our traditional phrase “Champion Amateur Golfer” of 1959, had come through the easier half of the draw, made easier by the removal of dangerous rivals including the title­ holder Joe Carr and the formidable Billy Joe Patton. Indeed, until the quarterfinals, Beman had little real opposition. Then he caught Scot David Blair on the rebound from the defeat of Carr and on the 'following day in the semi-final played brilliantly on the second eighteen to dispose of the English Champion Guy Wolstenholme, 5 and 4. Magnificent Play Having reached the final, Beman gave a magnificent display, particularly with the wedge and putter, under conditions and on a links quite foreign to his ex­ perience in the United States. He took the lead at the first hole, was always in front afterwards and beat Hyndman, 3 and 2. Beman’s win was the fourteenth United Deane R. Beman States victory—Lawson Little and Frank Stranahan each won twice—and his match with Hyndman was the fifth all- American final. The seeding of 16 players, including six members of the United States Walker Cup team and a similar number of Bri­ tish internationalists, kept the stars out of each other’s way until the fifth round. But by that time several had been ac­ counted for by lesser lights. Tommy Aaron went out as early as the first round, and the next to go was Patton, who took three putts at the twenty-first hole to lose to William Hill, a London barrister who is a week-end golfer and plays and looks like one yet reached the last sixteen of the English Championship a month earlier. After beating Patton he went on to the last sixteen again. Charles Coe, the United States Captain 16 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 and Champion, disappeared in the third round in an even more surprising way. His conqueror was Murray Lawrence, of Woking, Surrey, who is no more than a club golfer. Lawrence went out in 35 to turn 4 up and, although hunted and hounded home by a rival alive to the seri­ ousness of the position, held on to win at the eighteenth. It was a disappointment for Coe in hi,s attempt to score a double and everyone was sorry to see him go in that way, but he had never really set­ tled down at Sandwich and the cold weather seemed to affect him. The Last Eight All this time the British camp had been suffering casualties, but after the fifth round each country had three seeds in the last eight—Hyndman, young Jack Nicklaus and Beman for the United States and Blair, Wolstenholme and Douglas Sewell, the English stroke-play champion, for Great Britain. The other survivors were Magee and a former Bri­ tish Walker Cup player, Ian Caldwell. Hyndman, who had won all his earlier matches by the length of a street, had just survived a tough match with Harold Hidgley, United States Air Force man who was runner-up for the title two years ago. In the quarter-finals Hyndman was in majestic mood against Nicklaus and won by 4 and 3. Magee, who came from Ger­ many with 150 cigar.s and a limited sup­ ply of dollars, was fast running out of both, but his ration of putts seemed in­ exhaustible and he beat Sewell with a birdie 3 at the ninteenth. Beman won by 4 and 3 against Blair, and Wolstenholme accounted for Caldwell by 3 and 2. Magee’s Battle So the stage was set for the semi-finals, and of the two matches that between Hyndman and Magee was the most excit­ ing and, unfortunately for Hyndman, the most exhausting. Hyndman was unques­ tionably the better golfer, but he could not shake off Magee, who in the last nine holes of the first round holed six single putts to go to lunch only 1 down to a score of 71. It was much the same in the afternoon but Hyndman seemed to have a tight grip on the game when he was 2 up at the thirty-third. Then Magee holed a seven yarder for a 2 at the thirty-fourth, and ran down a ten yarder at the thirty-sixth tc square after Hyndman, five feet from the pin in 3, had been looking for a 4, a half and the match. A hanging lie at the thirty-eighth hole beat Magee, who could not get his pitch near enough to the hole. He had made a great fight, and had fought well for Beman, too, since Hyndman was that much less capable of countering the thrusts of his younger rival in the final. Giving away 22 years, tired from his earlier exertions and suffering from a stomach ailment, Hyndman played rather listless golf all through the final. His fighting was by instinct. Seven times he became 4 down and seven times rallied to win back a hole or two. But he could do no more. GOLF FEVER By W. A. Beattie I must go down to the Tee again To the course I love so well; To the grassy lies and the brassy lies And the lies the golfers tell. And all I ask is a long drive, And a chip with a number seven And a straight putt that falters not And I ask no other heaven. I must go down to the Tee again For the call of a golfer’s life Is a wild call and a clear call That heeds no fretting wife. And all I ask is a gentle breeze And the white ball flying, And a merry yarn at the nineteenth As the daylight’s dying. I must go down to the Tee again It’s the game for a chap like me, To the Bogey way and the Birdie way And the way of an eagle three. And all I ask is the green turf And a whiff of sea or clover, And a quiet sleep ami a cweet dream When the good game’s over. from South African Golf Journal USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 17 FEDERAL TAX LIABILITIES OX CALCUTTA POOLS By PHILIP H. STRUBING USGA General Counsel Clubs as well as hotels and other or­ ganizations would do well to study tne Federal tax laws before running a fits to be derived aren’t worth the as­ sumption of these tax responsibilities. Calcutta pool in connection with a golf tournament or other sports event. If part of the proceeds of such a pool are retained by the club to meet any kind of expense, the club has received a direct benefit and the pool will be considered by the Treasury Department as having been conducted for profit. Moreover, even if the club does not re­ tain any portion of the pool, the Treasury has ruled that “it must be assumed that . . . there is an expectancy of other bene­ fits, such as advertising and establish­ ment or increasing attendance at a tour­ nament to which there are charges for admission.” It is considered by the Gov­ ernment that this expectancy of indirect benefits constitutes “profit” for purposes of the wagering tax. See Revenue Ruling 56-72. On Individuals What are the wagering tax conse­ quences of running a pool for profit? First, the club as operator of the pool is liable for the wagering excise tax of 10 per cent of the total of the amount for which the tickets on players are sold and the amount for which the players are auctioned. Section 4401, Internal Reve­ nue Code of 1954. Second, not only the club as operator of the pool but each individual (includ­ ing officers) who receives wagers on the club’s behalf is liable for the special $50 tax imposed by Section 4411 of the Code. Third, it has been ruled by the Treasury that, as to each winner of $600 or more, an information return on Form 1099 must be filed by the club, on pain of a penalty which could run to $1,000 un­ der Section 6652 of the Code. Clubs contemplating the operation of a Calcutta pool in connection with a tour­ nament may well conclude that the bene­ USGA FILM LIBRARY "St. Andrews, Cradle Of Golf," a 14- minute, full color, 16m.m. travelogue of his­ toric St. Andrews, Scotland, its Old Course and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club club­ house. "First World Amateur Team Champion­ ship for Eisenhower Trophy," a 14-minute, full color, 16m.m. film of the first World Amateur Team Championship at St. Andrews, Scotland. Twenty-nine countries compete for the Eisenhower Trophy. "On the Green," a 17-minute, full color, 16 m.m. presentation filmed at the Mid-Ocean Club, Bermuda, illustrating correct pro­ cedures under the Rules of Golf governing situations arising on the putting green. "Golf's Longest Hour," a 16 m.m. full color production, running for 17*4 minutes, depict­ ing the closing stages of the 1956 Open Championship. Filmed at the beautiful Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, N.Y., it shows the eventual winner, Cary Middlecoff, set a target at which Ben Hogan, Julius Boros and Ted Kroll strive in vain to beat. "Play Them As They Lie," a 16 m.m. color production, running for I6V2 entertaining minutes, in which Johnny Farrell, the Open Champion of 1928, acts as intermediary be­ tween Wilbur Mulligan, a beginner of un­ impeachable integrity, and Joshua P. Slye, a past master in the art of breaking the Rules. The film was made at the Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, N. J., where Farrell is professional. "Great Moments In Golf," gives the viewer an opportunitv to see the many interesting ex­ hibits in "Golf House," USGA headquarters in New York, and to re-live golf triumphs of the past with many of the game's immortals. The film is a 16 m.m. black and white pro­ duction and runs 28 minutes. "The Rules of Golf—Etiquette" also has proved popular. The film stresses the im­ portance of etiquette by portrayal of vari­ ous violations of the code in the course of a family four-ball match. Ben Hogan ap­ pears in several scenes, and Robert T. Jones, Jr., makes the introductory statement. A 16 m.m. color production, the film has a running time of 1714 minutes. The distribution of all seven prints is handled by National Educational Films, Inc., 165 West 46th Street, New York 36, N. Y., which produced the films in cooperation with the USGA. The rental is $20 per film; $35 for two; $50 for three, $60 for four and $70 for five, in combination at the same time, including the cost of shipping prints to the renter. 18 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 HOW TO USE THE RULES BOOK Specific Suggestions for Finding the Answers Find the Rules of Golf booklet hard to Get lost trying to find the Rules gov­ use? erning four-ball play? Know the difference between a four- ball and a foursome? There is a way out of this dilemma, and we offer the following specific sug­ gestions: 1. Become familiar with key words and special terms in the language of the Rules—thus, flagstick, not pin; bunker, not trap; stroke play, not medal play; lateral water hazard, not parallel water hazard. 2. Refer to the Index, pages 77-94. Every item in the Rules is listed; many items are cross-indexed. 3. Study the Definitions, pages 2-8. They are basic. Note for instance such differences as “loose impediments” for certain natural objects (Definition 17) and “obstructions” for artificial objects (Definition 20). The Rules do not men­ tion “fairway” or “rough;” both are cov­ ered by “through the green” (Definition 34). 4. What form of play is involved? Is it match play or stroke play? Single or four-ball? A four-ball match is not a four­ some (Definition 28). Example: When a ball on the putting green interferes with the player who is away, in a single match only the player away may require the ball to be lifted (Rule 35-2a) but in a four-ball match any player may have the ball removed (Rule 40-lb). 5. Where did the incident occur? On the teeing ground, through the green, in a hazard or on the putting green? Find the right place in the Index, as the Rules may be different for the same oc­ currences on different parts of the course. 6. Two Rules may cover different as­ pects of the same case. In a hazard, when Rule 31-2 allows the ball to be lifted and dropped away; but it must be dropped in an immovable obstruction interferes, Balance Of Nature? “It has become the fashion for large numbers of otherwise rational conser­ vationists and self-appointed protec­ tors of wildlife to view with alarm the progress man has made in recent years in his unending battle for su­ premacy over the insects that ruled the world before he appeared on it, and have threatened whole civiliza­ tions ever since. “In his large-scale use of modem high-powered pesticides, they charge, man is upsetting the ‘balance of na­ ture.’ But one might well ask: ‘What balance?’ We do not believe there is or ever was such a thing. Rather, the way of nature has appeared to be a course or perennial unbalance. A ‘balanced’ nature would insure an un­ changing, static world, incapable of geologic upheavals and mutations, or the evolutions of species. Pterodactyls, no doubt, would still be flying over— not jets, for there would be no homo sapiens (and hence, we suppose, no arguments).” From an editorial in the Temple Daily Tele­ gram, Temple, Texas. the same hazard, under Rule 22-3. 7. Every word means what it says. Ex­ ample: To determine whether or not a ball is at rest on the putting green, a “momentary delay” is allowed by Rule 35-lf. This means a very short period, .such as a few seconds, not minutes. 8. Carry a Rules book in your golf bag and use it whenever an incident arises. 9. Committees will find helpful infor­ mation in the USGA Appendix. These same suggestions appear also on the inside front cover of the USGA Rules of Golf booklet. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 19 THREE NEW PICTURES IN “GOLF HOUSE” By PAUL R. MacDONALD USGA Executive Assistant Three more handsome pictures adorn the walls of “Golf House,” the USGA headquarters in New York, as a result of recent generous gifts, and the collection now numbers fifteen oil paintings, one of which is a copy, two reproductions of oil paintings and thirty prints. All are, of course, on the subject of golf. A full-size photographic reproduction of an oil portrait of Freddie McLeod came recently as a gift from the members of the Columbia Country Club, Chevy Chase, Md. McLeod, now 77 years old, was the 1908 Open Champion and has been pro­ fessional at the Club for forty-seven years. The presentation was made by The Honorable Richard M. Nixon, Vice-Presi­ dent of the United States and a Club member. The original hangs in the Club and shows McLeod as he appears today. With this most recent gift, “Golf House” now has portraits or reproduc­ tions of five famous American golfers; in addition to McLeod, they are Robert T. Jones, Jr., Francis Ouimet, Walter Hagen and Mrs. Glenna Collett Vare. A print of The Sabbath Breakers, by J. C. Dollman, dated 1898, has been do­ nated by John B. Ryerson, Springfield Centre, N. Y., a member of the USGA Mu­ seum Committee. The subject concerns the acts in 1592 and 1593 of the Town Council of Edinburgh, Scotland, which decreed that none of the inhabitants “be sene at any pastymes or gammis within or without the town upoun the Sabboth-day, sic as Golf, aircherie, etc.” Many in­ stances are recorded of offenders being severely punished throughout Scotland. John Henrie and Pat Rogie, early martyrs, were prosecuted for ‘playing of the Gowff on the Links every Sabboth during the tyme of the Sermones.” John Charles Dollman, who signs J. C. Dollman, was a painter of popular sub­ jects during the latter part of the nine­ teenth and the early part of the twen­ tieth century. His works are in oil and Proof Of A Golfer By Edgar A. Guest shoot grass, A golfer is more than a ball-driving brute, He is more than a mug-hunting czar; To be known as a golfer, you don't have to The course of your home club in par. But you do have to love every blade of the Every inch of the fairways and greens; And if you don't take care of the course as you pass. You are not what "a good golfer" means. Just watch a good golfer some day when you're out. And behold what he does as he plays; He never goes on leaving divots about; Till the grass is put back, there he stays. Observe him in traps as he stands for his shot. Then note, when the ball has been played. That he never unthinkingly turns from the Till he's covered the footprints he made. You may brag of your scores and may boast of your skill. You may think as a golfer you're good; But if footprints you make, in traps you don't spot fill, You don't love the game as you should. For your attitude unto the sport you enjoy. Isn't proven by brilliance or force; The proof of a golfer—now get this, my boy— Is the care which he takes of the course. Copyright by Mr. Guest. Reprinted by permis­ sion of Mr. Guest. watercolor. Dollman excelled as a genre painter. Three other prints of his works are part of the “Golf House” collection; they are: “This to Halve the Match,” “Bunkered” and “The Foursome-A Con­ sultation.” All are dated 1900. “The Stymie” is another well-known golf print by Dollman. The subject of the work is a foursome on a green at North Berwick, Scotland in the eighteen-forties. One of the players is about to negotiate a stymie. The Bass Rock is visible in the background. The caddies are pictured 20 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 THE SABBATH BREAKERS The above photograph was made from the newly acquired black and white print which hangs in the USGA Museum in “Golf House”. Two late-sixteenth century golfers are seen violating the 1592 and 1593 acts of the Town Council of Edinburgh, Scotland, which decreed it unlawful to play golf on the Sabbath. carrying the clubs loose under one arm as golf bags were unknown. A painting of the tenth hole of the West Course of the Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, N.Y., was presented by the MacGregor Golf Company, Cin­ cinnati, Ohio. The course was the site of the 1959 Open Championship. This is the .sixth of a series of famous holes on courses where the Open Championship was played. They are all the work of Ralph C. Reynolds. The series began in 1954 with the fourth hole of the Lower Course of the Baltusrol Golf Club, Spring­ field, N. J., and includes the eighteenth hole of the Lake Course of the Olympic Country Club, San Francisco, Cal., the thirteenth hole of the East Course of the Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, N. Y., the eighteenth hole of the Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio, and the eighteenth hole of the Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Okla. “Golf House” is open Monday through Friday from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Visitors are cordially invited to view the exhibits in the Museum and to read or browse over the nearly 4,000 volumes in the Library. The Museum includes a representative collection of clubs and balls used by for­ mer champions, various historical ex­ hibits, and golf paintings and prints. The Library, with the acquisition, last year, of the O. M. Leland collection, is now probably the most comprehensive golf library in existence. The Royal and An­ cient game is covered from its first refer­ ence to its latest publication. The Loser — 'What foul play had we'! Tempest, i. 2. 'The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done.' Romeo and Juliet, i. 4. From "Shakespeare On Golf" USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 21 LETTERS TO THE SECRETARY (From Ralph Viney, Captain, Rough- over Golf Club) Dear Mr. Whelk: January 1 I have much pleasure in confirming that at a special and extraordinary com­ mittee meeting held yesterday afternoon you were officially appointed secretary of the Roughover Golf Club at a salary of £250 per annum. The committee have asked me to con­ gratulate you on your good fortune and have also requested me to inform you that you will be required to take up your duties some time before the tenth of this month. Yours very truly, Ralph Viney * * $ (From Commander Harrington Net­ tle, C.M.G., D.S.O., Flagstaff Villa, Roughover.) Tuesday, January 2 Sir, I learn that the committee have given you the job of secretary, and although you are not coming to Roughover until the tenth of the month, I .shall be glad if you will note that one of the springs in the armchair to the left of the fireplace in the reading room is broken — the .spiky end having occasioned me acute discomfort less than five minutes ago. Please understand that unless you at­ tend to this matter immediately there will be trouble waiting for you when you arrive. Yours faithfully, Harrington Nettle ❖ ❖ * (From Lionel Nutmeg, Malayan Civil Service (Retd.), Old Bucks Cottage, Roughover). Dear Sir: I hear that you are the new secretary. May heaven help you. January 2 Yours faithfully, L. Nutmeg (From Admiral Charles Sneyring- Stymie, C.B. (member of Roughover Golf Club committee).) January 2 Dear Mr. Whelk, In case you should be under any mis­ apprehension as to what your job as sec­ retary of the Roughover Golf Club en­ tails, I have much pleasure in enclosing herewith a typewritten list of your duties, etc., and I shall be glad if you will pay particular attention to pages 13-15, 21, 26 and 43. You will not, I trust, misunderstand me when I tell you that I was not at all impressed by your general bearing, man­ ners and personality when you came up for interview before the committee. Kindly, therefore, see about this before you arrive. Yours faithfully, C. Sneyring-Stymie ❖ « ❖ (From General Sir Armstrong For- cursue, K.B.E., C.S.I., “The Cedars”, Roughover). January 2 Sir, I hear that you have been appointed secretary of the club and it will be as well for you to note here and now that the committee are nothing but a pack of bovine nincompoops and lying humbugs. As you are likely to become tainted by close proximity with them in due course, I am taking this early opportunity of pointing out that I am not in the habit of overlooking incompetence. Yours, Sir, Armstrong Forcursue P.S. In case your appointment may have given you a swollen head, I have pleasure in drawing your attention to the fact that the only other applicant for the job was adjudged insane. In spite of this, however, the voting was but 8 to 7 in your favour. Reprinted by permission of Punch. 22 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 THE REFEREE Decisions by the Rules of Golf Committees Example of Symbols: “USGA” indicates decision by the United States Golf Association. “R & A” indi­ cates decision by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. “59-1” means the first decision issued in 1959. “D” means definition. “R. 37-7” refers to Section 7 of Rule 37 in the 1959 Rules of Golf. Card Returned R&A 58/82/58 R. 38 Q: A competitor having completed his round gave his score card (unfortunately the winning one) to his fellow-competitor to put in the competition box we use on these occasions. His marker, however, overlooked doing so at that time and only deposited the card in the box ap­ proximately one and one-half hours later and in this time had left the course. To further complicate the issue the marker was a committee member who, although competing, was technically among those v/ho were running the competition. On checking the card was found to be in or­ der and it is purely on technical grounds that doubt has arisen. Should the winner be disqualified? A: While it is the competitor’s duty to see that the score card is returned with­ out delay, the committee in charge of a competition is not precluded from ac­ cepting a reasonable explanation for his failing to do so. While, therefore, the matter must rest with your committee, it is entitiled to accept an explanation involving the handing of the card to one of its own number. Discontinuance Of Play R&A 58/91/63 R. 37-6 Q: Two players, A and B, when play­ ing in a stroke competition were caught in very heavy rain. A, having torn up his card, continued play for the purpose of marking B’s card. A memorized B’s score for the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes in order to avoid marking the card in the rain. At the tenth tee before strik­ ing off A entered a nearby shelter to take out B’s score card from his water­ proof clothing and proceeded to mark the card for the preceding holes. When so doing he was joined by B who could not continue play without his marker. B states definitely that he did not enter the shelter for the purpose of shelter­ ing. Does this constitute “discontinuance of play” as referred to in Rule 37-6? A: Provided B remained in the shelter only long enough to enable his marker A to mark his card, this would not con­ stitute discontinuance of play. The inci­ dent was properly reported to your com­ mittee, and it is for it to decide whether USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 73 in fact play was discontinued, in which case B should be disqualified under Rule 37-6. Caddie Employed by Four-Ball Opponents Casual Water and the Plugged Ball R&A 58/84/60 D. 8 Q: I am writing to seek your guidance and ruling in connection with Rule 32 and the definition of casual water as given in Definition 8 of the Rules of Golf. The point on which your opinion is sought is: A player’s ball plugged deeply in the fairway following heavy rain. Although water splashed up as the ball pitched, there was no visible accumulation of water on the surface, but the hole where the ball had plugged had filled with water. The player claimed that this was casual water and picked and dropped the ball without penalty. Was he correct in claim­ ing that his ball was in casual water? A: The player was justified in regard­ ing this as casual water in accordance with Definition 8. Drive Out of Turn Replayed in Error USGA 59-11 R. 5, 12-3b Q: In stroke play, a competitor played out of turn from the teeing ground, abandoned the ball and played again in proper order. What penalty, if any, did he incur? Question by: Y. Iwasaki Tokyo, Japan A: There is no penalty for playing out of turn from the teeing ground in stroke play, and the competitor should not have abandoned his original ball or put an­ other in play; see Rule 12-3b. In doing so, he incurred the general penalty of two strokes provided in Rule 5. Under a strict application of Rule 23-3, the player could be disqualified. How­ ever, we feel that in these particular cir­ cumstances, where he did play one ball from tee to hole, the disqualification penalty would be unduly har.sh and the general penalty is therefore applied. USGA 59-12 L. R. R. 26-la Q: The caddie-master assigns two cad­ dies among four players who are to play a four-ball match. The caddie-master neither knows nor cares which players are on the same side in the match. He does not permit bag-switching at the behest of the players. It therefore often develops that each caddie i.s caddying lor members of opposing sides. One of the caddies moves a ball. Under Rule 40-3d, when a ball is moved accidentally by one side’s own caddie, the owner of the ball incurs a penalty stroke and the ball is played as it lies. Under Rule 40-3e, when a ball is moved by a caddie assigned to one opponent, that opponent incurs a penalty stroke and the ball is replaced. When the caddie is employed by both player and opponent, is the ball played as it lies or is it replaced? Or should the caddie be regarded as an outside agency, as is recommended when one caddie is employed by two players in a single match? Question by: Mrs. Kenneth Cooley Evanston, Ill. A: In equity, a caddie employed by op­ ponents in a four-ball match should be considered an outside agency, just like a caddie employed by opponents in a single, except when he acts upon specific directions of a player, in which case he is considered to be that player’s caddie. Thus, if a caddie employed by op­ ponents in a four-ball match accidentally moves a ball while acting without specific directions of either player, the ball should be considered to have been moved by an outside agency. Rule 26-la would govern. If the caddie was acting on specific direction, the player who gave the direction would incur the relative penalty. We would suggest that the caddie-mas­ ters in question be instructed by the proper authorities to assign caddies caddying double to partners or to per­ mit players to reassign bags in order to avoid Rules questions such as the one you raise. 24 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 Shoe-Sole Questionnaire In early March, 1959, a questionnaire was sent to Green Committee Chairmen at USGA Member Clubs which subscribe to the Green Section Visiting Service, with the following memorandum: “The matter of shoe-sole types has been the subject of considerable controversy. May we ask your cooperation in an at­ tempt to learn the opinions of Green Committee Chairmen, professionals and golf course superintendents? “We should like to have you talk with your professional and your superin­ tendent about this matter. Then please answer the following questions and re­ turn the sheet to us.” There was an excellent response, 231 of the questionnaires being returned. The number of answers does not in all cases correspond to the number of replies re­ ceived. This is because some replies contained more than one answer to a question. 1. What kind of grass do you have on putting greens? Bent 187; Bermuda 9; Bermuda with ryegrass 10; Bermuda with ryegrass and bentgrass 3; Bermuda with bentgrass 1; Bent and Poa annua 8; Poa annua 1. 2. Which shoe sole type do you con­ sider most damaging to putting green turf? Regular golf spikes 46; Rubber lug soles 50; Ripple soles 135; All equally damaging 5. 3. Do you consider damage to putting greens to be permanent or temporary? Permanent 15; Temporary 204; No answer 12. 4. Do you feel that putting is seriously affected by the marks left by any of these shoes? Yes 163; No 52. Which type shoe? Regular golf spikes 16; Rubber lugs 34; Ripple sole 127; No difference 13. 5. Has your club taken any action to ban the use of any type of shoe on the golf course? Yes 89; No 99. If so, what kind of shoes? Lugs 13; Ripple 85; Heels 1. 6. Do you think spikes in golf shoes should be limited in length? Yes 162; No 57. 7. If the answer to number 6 is yes, what do you think the maximum length should be? Twenty-three different lengths were suggested. They ranged from Vs” to More than 73% of the answers were in the range of 14 ” to 8. Do you think the metal shoulders around spikes have an adverse effect on the putting surface? Yes 30; No 190. * * Recipients of the questionnaires were invited to make comments. Some of them are quite interesting. A remarkable num­ ber commented upon the importance of USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 25 the way the golfer handles his feet. Some of the comments are quoted below: “When greens are wet, all shoes damage, particularly if drainage under greens is poor. I’d vote for conventional spikes in the belief that a tear is less damaging than a bruise.” “Ripple soles do most damage when player turns or pivots on green. Spike shoes cause some damage if player is careless. Also, older members sometimes drag feet and spikes ruffle turf badly.” “Long spikes have tendency to scuff turf. Also, the longer the spike, the heavier they are, causing more damage on closely cut turf and making the hole appear after a few hours’ play, as though the cup hasn’t been changed for several days.” “Best soles for greens are flat rubber ones.” “I think that any type of sole can be harmful to a putting green turf, es­ pecially if the person does not pick up his feet when he walks and turns. The longer and heavier the lug or spike, the more damage, that is, bruising and rough­ ing of the turf.” ‘“Obviously, the bases of greens have much to do with shoe damage. Wet, soft greens tear appreciably when players with ripple soles twist. Lugs leave in­ dents on wet greens. Long spikes kick up nap, however short it is kept, on any green, soft or firm.” “From my own personal observation, the individual in the shoe is the big thing. Some players just don’t know how to walk.” “In Seattle it is very damp in fall and winter; spikes only are permitted during this period. For spring and summer play I think ripple soles by far most prac­ tical. I have experimented with ripple soles and have found them to be well suited on firm turf. Pro and greenkeeper agree.” “Crepe soles are best and least harm- COMING EVENTS August 4 U.S.D.A. Turf Field Day Plant Industry Station Beltsville, Md. Dr. Felix V. Juska August 6 Rutgers Turfgrass Field Day Rutgers University New Brunswick, N. J. Dr. Ralph E. Engel September 17 and 18 28th Annual Golf Course Superintendents' Turfgrass Field Day University of Rhode Island Kingston,, R. I. November 16-20 Fifty-Second Annual Meeting of American Society of Agronomy Netherlands-Hilton Hotel Cincinnati, Ohio ful to greens and give adequate insurance against slip.” “Twisting action of the feet by players wearing lug or ripple soles causes dam­ age to the turf, besides causing indenta­ tions on the greens.” “We have a few people using ripples and occasionally lug. The marks made by these shoes make a. definite pattern and remain in the green most of the day. A few being used would probably not affect putting. However, I think in large numbers they would definitely affect short or dying putts. The moisture con­ tent of the soil also makes quite a dif­ ference on the effect of these types of shoes.” “If members could be encouraged to walk carefully and not drag their feet along, much temporary scarring to greens would be obviated.” “The whole thing boils down to this, in my opinion. Some men do more damage than others. We have about six men that ruin a green with any shoe. They are either careless the way they walk, or they drag their feet. I can tell when any of these men play; I can tell it the next day. Some publicity is in order on this.” “We think the type of soles used is more a matter of effect on play than on maintenance. We have not experienced 26 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 any serious maintenance problems but have observed that lug and ripple soles mar the putting surface more than con­ ventional spikes. We do think the con­ ventional spike is too long. “Shoe leather in which there are spikes probably pack the greens more than any rubber soles. If golfers do not lift their feet any length spike will ruin a green. Except for scuffing the green, the deeper the spike holes, the better.” “All the damage only applies when the player turns on his shoe soles (as when trying to steer a putt). We have no dam­ age or trouble with any type as long as the player uses his feet with care.” “Ripple soles don’t damage greens as far as growth is concerned but the rip­ ples left around the cup make putting difficult. If everyone wore them you would have a washboard for greens.” “We think spikes can and will do a lot of damage by careless players who twist and drag their feet. Otherwise, ripple sole appears to do more damage.” “If spikes were used in a confined path with heavy traffic, the spikes would cer­ tainly do more damage than ripple soles. However, on greens the play is distri­ buted more or less over the area of the green. It has been our observation that when greens have a reasonably good putt­ ing surface, there is very little visible damage from spikes and this is generally easily corrected and does not affect putt­ ing to any extent. Ripple soles do not have the tearing effect of spikes, and damage by lug soles, if any, would de­ pend somewhat on spacing of the lugs. If .spaced too far apart, they could cause depressions on wet greens and an un­ even putting surface. We feel it would be very unwise to recommend banning of spiked shoes or any of the others men­ tioned.” “All are equally damaging, but most damage is caused by carelessness, not lifting feet when walking and turning on feet after putting.” care is used when walking and turning on feet while or after putting.” “Spikes should not affect putting sur­ faces if golfer knows how to walk on a putting surface. Damage to putting sur­ faces is a personal thing.” “Worst offenders are those with spikes who twist or drag their shoes, which of course, causes nothing permanent or seri­ ous, just annoying.” “The new plastic spike does more dam­ age because they are thicker at the base.” “Frankly, I don’t think spikes are a major consideration. Where greens are excessively wet, there may develop some temporary damage which is not very sig­ nificant. The most damage I have noticed from spikes is caused by thoughtlessness by the player in using “body English” in a futile gesture to get the putt into the cup. This could easily be remedied by emphasizing the fact to the players; it is purely a human side of the game. Fortunately most of us have learned bet­ ter!” “Carelessness causes most damage with any type, including spikes.” “Those with ripple soles had them sanded down and apparently no harm to greens has resulted, except when greens are wet.” “The article in the November, 1958 issue of the USGA Journal was interest­ ing but does not answer the problem. The testers were concerned with “damage” to the putting surfaces. My contention is that the ripples within three to four inches of the cup deflect the putted ball from its normal path. If the ripple sole boys would keep their big feet at least four feet from the cup, there would be no problem.” “It is my opinion the USGA may be able to prevail on shoe manufacturers to put shorter spikes on their shoes.” “We don’t have much trouble with golf “Putting is not .seriously affected if shoes, thank goodness.” USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 27 Cup Changing Technique At Wee Burn By A. M. Radko Eastern Regional Director, USGA Green Section The use of good technique and adequate care in the changing of cups on a putting green pays dividends. One only need look at a green where the plug placed in an old cup location has been scalped by the mower to realize that this is a job that requires skill and care. The technique has been so thoroughly mastered by Tom Testo, superintendent, and Steve Kulscar at the Wee Burn Country Club, Darien, Conn., that it is difficult to find the previous location of a cup. The following pictures show details of the operation: New site is apart from old one. Cup is removed carefully. Top soil is placed in hole . . . . . . and is tamped with stick. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 Thickness is checked against . . . . . . depth to tamped soil. Adjustments by shaving plug or adding top soil insure even surface. Plug is broken by pressing up with fingers, rotated and broken again. Plug is placed into hole and surface is pressed and firmed with thumbs. Edges are separated to release grass blades forced into the slit around perimeter. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 29 Perimeter is firmed as plug is watered. Job completed. Can you find the plug? Growth Of Bentgrass Roots As Influenced By Temperature And Management By JAMES B. BEARD Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind. A critical evaluation of the effect of temperature and management on the growth of bentgrass roots was conducted in controlled-climate chambers, using especially built root boxes 10” square and 16” deep. One side of the box consisted of a slanting glass side for observing roots. On December 23, 1957, dormant creep­ ing bentgrass plugs, 4 inches in diameter, were taken from the experimental putt­ ing green, sliced to a thickness of ¥4” and placed in the root observation boxes. Two boxes were placed in each of the following constant-temperature chambers, 60°, 70°, 80° and 90° F. Each of the temperature rooms had a con­ stant day length of 12 hours. For each temperature there were two cutting treat­ ments, cut daily at ¥2” and uncut. The root elongation was marked and measured daily on the glass side of the boxes for a period of eight weeks. From that date the average rate of root growth per day was calculated. The average daily growth in inches of bentgrass roots for the four temperatures for the cut and uncut treatments was: 80° in. 0.39 0.20 Cutting Treatment 70° in. 0.33 0.17 'Temperature in °F 60° in. Uncut _____ 0.32 Cut ______ 0.18 90° in. 0.18 0.13 Note that the growth rate was greatly reduced in raising the temperature from 80° to 90° under both cutting treatments. Through the daily measurements of root growth on both cut and uncut cultures, it was observed that the growth of indi­ vidual roots was not uniform but cyclic in nature. Within a ten-day period the growth rate of individual roots varied from 1” to 0.1”. Furthermore, the 90° F. temperature condition reduced the number of roots, the depth of penetration and the thick­ ness of roots. In addition, the roots un­ der 90° F. temperature condition were not a healthy white color but were brown and inactive. Upon termination of the root elonga­ tion studies, the roots were removed from the boxes, washed Tree of soil, oven dried at 70° C. for 24 hours, weighed and ashed in a muffle furnace at 700° C. for 4 hours. Total weight of the organic constituents 30 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 Temperature in °F of roots in grams, harvested from a 4 inch plug after 8 weeks growth was: Cutting Treatment 60° gms. Uncut ____ ... 6.43 Cut _____ ... 0.19 90° gms. 0.55 0.03 the tern- perature was raised, the weight of roots in terms of the organic component was reduced very noticeably. Results indicated that as 70° gms. 4.52 0.09 80° gms. 1.78 0.04 In another test using the root boxes, eight weekly foliar applications of ma­ terials, including glucose, fructose and vitamin Bl were applied. Under those limited test conditions there was no con­ sistent increase in root activity. To supplement those results, tests were placed under more natural conditions on the experimental putting green at Pur­ due University. Three root observation boxes were constructed into the putting green in late March. The boxes were 18” deep and had a slanting glass side which allowed close observation of the root de­ velopment and deterioration under un­ disturbed conditions. Root color ratings vere taken three times weekly. Because of unusually wet summer weather, the ini­ tiation of new roots from the surface had been observed twice last summer. Also, two core samples 15” deep were taken three times weekly. Actual root counts at depths of 2”, 5”, 10” and 15” were made on those plugs. To measure the effect of summertime temperatures, micro-climatic techniques were used. A 60-point continuous poten­ tiometer recorder was used to record soil temperatures at seven depths in two SUBSCRIBERS TO U.S.G.A. GREEN SECTION RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FUND, INC. Augusta National Golf Augusta, Ga. Club, Catto & Putty, Bob Dunning, Lionel MacDuff, Metropolitan Golf Writers' Association, National Golf Fund, Inc., New England Golf Association, San Antonio, Tex. Tulsa, Okla. Lynn, Mass. Manhasset, N Dunedin, Fla. Boston, Mass. Connecticut State Golf Association Maine State Golf Association Massachusetts State Golf Association New England Golf Association New Hampshire State Golf Association Rhode Island State Golf Association Vermont State Golf Association Bernard H. Ridder, Jr., St. Paul, Minn. J. H. Watson, Marietta, Ohio replications, plus air temperature at three heights and relative humidity. Thermocouples were inserted at the fol­ lowing depths: surface mat, Vz”, 1%”, 3”, 6”, 12” and 18”. Air temperatures were taken at 1”, 12” and 36” heights. Besides those parameters, cooperative studies with Mr. Ed Jordan, graduate as­ sistant, were designed to measure the fol­ lowing parameters: soil moisture at 1”, 2”, 4” and 6” depths, light intensity in accumulated units per day, plus total yield, reducing sugars, fructose, N. P and K in clippings from plots receiving six levels of nitrogen feeding. All of this data was entered on IBM punched cards. The simple and multiple correlations and regressions will be run to find some of the relationships and their importance in creeping bentgrass performance. H. Burton Musser Advances Turf grass Management By CHARLES K. HALLOWELL Mid-Atlantic Director, USGA Green Section On June 30 Dr. H. Burton Musser re­ tired as Professor of Agronomy, Col­ lege of Agriculture, Pennsylvania State it, does present an appropriate oppor­ tunity to evaluate his contributions to turf grass. University, thus concluding thirty years of continuous service to turfgrass studies. Those who have known “Burt” Musser throughout much of his career find it difficult—if not impossible—to conceive of his actually retiring. Undoubtedly, he will find many ways to put his knowl­ edge, experience and judgment to work. Yet this “stepping down,” as he has put The contributions which H. Burton Musser has made to turfgrass are many indeed. A list of them prepared recently included: 1. Isolated by systematic selection and breeding; (a) Pennlawn creep­ ing red fescue, (b) Pennlu creeping bentgrass (veg. strain) and (c) Penn- USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 31 cross creeping bentgrass (Syn-0 seed strain). 2. Conducted tests over a ten year period to determine relative value of various nitrogenous fertilizers for use on special purpose turf. (Solu­ bles, natural organics and synthe­ tics, as urea-formaldehyde.) 3. Studied weed control in special purpose turf. He was among the first to recognize and advocate mix­ tures of 2,4-D with fertilizer for simplicity and effectiveness, and standardized rates of application of potassium cyanate for crabgrass con­ trol. 4. Determined adaptability of Penn- gift crown vetch for slope control on highways and similar areas. 5. Developed the burning method of control of silver top problem in seed production of Kentucky blue­ grass and red fescues. 6. Established and maintained breeders seed source nursery for Merion Kentucky bluegrass. 7. Determined the differential ef­ fects of various nitrogen potassium ratios on growth and disease on turf­ grasses. Valuable though each of these is, the most important contribution which Pro­ fessor Musser has made is in the area of training turfgrass personnel. Above all others, this contribution will have an ever increasing effect for years to come. It was because of his interest in add­ ing to the knowledge of turfgrass per­ sonnel, that he consented to write “Turf Management” for the United States Golf Association. Almost at once, after “Turf Management” was published in 1950, it became the accepted standard. When asked at the National Turfgrass Conference in 1957 what, in his opinion, was the most serious turfgrass problem, his firm answer was, “Lack of trained personnel!” Long before 1957, however, Professor Musser was doing far more than talking and writing about the problem. He was acting. More than ten years ago, through his instigation, Penn State began awarding advanced degrees to men who majored in turfgrass management. James R. Wat­ son, recipient of the first fellowship of the USGA Green Section, was awarded his Ph.D. in 1950. One test of a teacher’s skill is his ability to train someone to take his own position. Professor Musser has passed this test, as he has many others, with fly­ ing colors. On July 1, J. M. Duich, Ph.D., became Professor of Agronomy in Penn State’s Department of Agriculture. The Penn State Winter Short Course, whicn Professor Musser inaugurated so that personnel could be trained at a time when they could be spared from their golf courses, graduated eighteen students in March of this year. How fitting it was that Professor Mus­ ser was given a testimonial dinner during the 28th Annual Penn State Turfgrass Conference in February! Joe Valentine of Merion Golf Club spoke for all present when he said, “The turf program you have conducted at Penn State is appreciated not only in Pennsyl­ vania but throughout the United States.” The plaque which Paul Weiss presented for the Golf Course Superintendents As­ sociation of America was aptly inscribed: “In recognition of your contribution to better turf for golf.” At the banquet, the guest of honor was presented with gifts of all sorts, includ­ ing a sizable check. But probably nothing will please him more through the years to come than the two thick albums of letters written by his friends throughout the country, and presented by the chair­ man of the banquet committee, Tom Mascaro. For, in his thirty years on the job, Burt Musser has made more than progress—he has made friends. A solid record of worthwhile achieve­ ments. A long list of devoted friends. What man, upon “stepping down,” could wish for more? 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 de­ velopment 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 Regional Offices, the McGraw-Hill Book Co., 350 West 42nd Street, New York 36, N. Y., or local bookstores. The cost is $7. 32 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 A guy like myself had a check-up 1 by his doctor. The doctor told him he appeared in good condition for his 1 age and asked how he kept in condi- t tion. The patient said that he had It may be of interest to know that in previous years I have played three other rounds in which I scored my age. Two of these were in 1953 and one in 1954. Further, my handicap, calculated under the USGA method, indicates fairly consistent scoring in the low 80s. Since February 11, 1959, I have flirted with shooting my age four times by scoring 79s. Recently I went late to the course and joined three young men on the first tee. The score card shows the result, a 78. My birthday was Febuary 11, 1881, making me 78 plus years of age. It has been my pleasure to enjoy golf almost continuously for over fifty years. My golfing experience covers play upon at least 110 eighteen-hole courses. I have been a member of Tilden Park Golf Club, Berkeley, Cal., for many years. Our club is a member of your Association. To The USGA: Aid to Health IT’S YOUR HONOR Good Impression To The USGA: The Championship (British Ama­ teur) was fun but once more your boys were much too good for us. I think we are improving, but so are you and at least as fast! Your “Whiz Kids” are really some­ thing, and such nice boys. We all love them greatly. Raymond Oppenheimer Maidenhead, Berks. England been married for more than fifty years. He and his wife had decided that if he got mad, she should keep quiet. But, if she got mad, he should go out of the house. He has been out of doors so much .since then that it may have promoted his good health. Might be a recommendation for golf! Henry D. Swengel Berkeley, Cal. More Applause f | To The USGA: Our club used the new handicap <1 system in 1958, and it was very sue- x cessful as compared to the old sys- 4 William Clarke Hillendale Country Club x Phoenix, Md. 4 <♦> Good Relations I t To The USGA: I have read your letter a number x of times and never fail to feel the satisfaction from your closing, x “Please call upon us again if we t may be of service. We are delighted x to hear from you, ...” 4 As a Canadian to an American, I <$> can’t help feeling what a pity that x Khrushchev and his cronies are not familiar with the great game of golf x and the common bondage that in- evitably stems from just such a fa- X miliarity, T H. L. Cook Mount Brenton Golf Club x Chemainus, B. C. $ USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1959 33 I USGA OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN PRESIDENT John D. Ames, Chicago, III. VICE-PRESIDENTS John G. Clock, Long Beach, Cal. John M. Winters, Jr., Tulsa, Okla. SECRETARY Clarence W. Benedict, White Plains, N. Y. TREASURER Emerson Carey, Jr., Denver, Colo. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The above officers and: Fred Brand, Jr.. Pittsburgh, Pa. William C. Chapin, Rochester, N. Y. Charles C. Clare, New Haven, Conn. Wm. Ward Foshay, New York, N. Y. Harry L. Givan, Seattle, Wash. Richmond Gray, Richmond, Va. Hord W. Hardin, St. Louis, Mo. William McWane, Birmingham, Ala. Harold A. Moore, Chicago, III. Bernard H. Ridder, Jr., St. Paul, Minn. HONORARY MEMBER J. Frederic Byers, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa. GENERAL COUNSEL Philip H. Strubing, Philadelphia, Pa. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Joseph C. Dey, Jr., New York, N. Y. John P. English, Assistant Executive Director USGA HEADQUARTERS "Golf House", 40 East 38th Street, New York 16, N. Y. COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN RULES OF GOLF: John M. Winters, Jr., Tulsa, Okla. CHAMPIONSHIP: Bernard H. Ridder, Jr., St. Paul, Minn. AMATEUR STATUS AND CONDUCT: John G. Clock, Long Beach, Cal. IMPLEMENTS AND BALL: Clarence W. Benedict, White Plains, N. Y. MEMBERSHIP: William McWane, Birmingham, Ala. GREEN SECTION: William C. Chapin, Rochester, N. Y. WOMEN'S: Mrs. Henri Prunaret, Natick, Mass. SECTIONAL AFFAIRS: Hord W. Hardin, St. Louis, Mo. PUBLIC LINKS: Emerson Carey, Jr., Denver, Colo. HANDICAP: Richmond Gray, Richmond, Va. Handicap Procedure: William O. Blaney, Boston, Mass. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Hord W. Hardin, St. Louis, Mo. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: William McWane. Birmingham, Ala. GIRLS' JUNIOR: Mrs. John Pennington, Buffalo, N. Y. MUSEUM: Clarence W. Benedict, White Plains, N. Y. BOB JONES AWARD: Wm. Ward Foshay, New York, N. Y. FINANCE: Emerson Carey, Jr., Denver, Colo. USGA GREEN SECTION EASTERN REGION Northeastern Office: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J. Alexander M. Radko, Director, Eastern Region T. T. Taylor, Northeastern Agronomist Mid-Atlantic Office: 711 West Ave., Jenkintown, Pa. Charles K. Hallowell, Mid-Atlantic Director Southeastern Office: Conner Hall, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. James M. Latham, Jr., Southeastern Agronomist MID-CONTINENT REGION Southwestern Office: Texas A. and M. College, College Station, Tex. Dr. Marvin H. Ferguson, Director, Mid-Continent Region and National Research Coordinator James B. Moncrief, Southwestern Agronomist Mid-Western Office: Room 241, LaSalle Hotel, Chicago 2, III. James L. Holmes, Mid-Western Agronomist Western Office: P. O. Box 567, Garden Grove, Cal. William H. Bengeyfield, Director, Western Region WESTERN REGION