JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT CHAMPIONS IN NATIONAL GOLF WEEK May 29 through June 6 has been designated National Golf Week. Golfers throughout the country will be afforded an opportunity to compete against Open Champion Arnold Palmer (left) and Jay Hebert, the PGA Champion. These two will meet on June 6 at the Olympia Fields Country Club to establish a target score for the competition which last year re­ sulted in $60,000 for a variety of golf projects and charities. (See details on page 6). APRIL, 1961 US6A JOURNAL TURF MANAGEMENT Published by the United States Golf Association © 1961 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. AND VOL. XIV, No. 1 APRIL, 1961 Through the Green ___________________________________________ 1 Support Urged of Bill to Reduce Club Dues Tax _______ Philip H. Strubing 4 74 Qualifying Events to Determine Open Field _______________________ 5 National Golf Day Grows Into a Week _____________________________ 6 Keeping up with the Cost of Greenkeeping ____________ Arthur E. Iredell 7 Fate of Golf in Cities Hinges on Local Planning ___ Hon. John Marshall Butler 9 What Par Is _______________________________________________ 13 Celebrities Pictured in Gift to “Golf House” ________________________ 14 Do You Know Your Golf? ______________________________________ 16 The Referee: The Rule About Obstructions _______________ Joseph C. Dey, Jr. 17 Turf Management: The Golf Course Worker—Training and Direction _____________ 25 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. Editor: Joseph C. Dey, Jr. Managing Editor: Frank Hannigan. All articles voluntarily contributed. USGA COMPETITIONS FOR 1961 Championship or Team Match Entries Close Qualifying Rounds Dates of Event Location Open May 3 Local: May 22 Sect’l.: June 6** June 15-16-17 Women’s Open June 14 None Amateur Public Links *June 1 iJune 18-25 June 29-30, July 1 July 10-15 Junior Amateur June 28 July 18 Aug. 2-5 Girls’ Junior July 28 None Women’s Amateur Aug. 2 None Walker Cup Match*** — — Aug. 14-18 Aug. 21-26 Sept. 1-2 Amateur Aug. 9 Aug. 29 Sept. 11-16 Senior Amateur Aug. 30 Sept. 19 Americas Cup Match**’ __ — Oct. 2-7 Oct. 21-22 Oakland Hills C.C., Birmingham, Mich. Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, N.J. Rackham Golf Course, Detroit, Mich. Cornell University Golf Course, Ithaca, N.Y. Broadmoor Golf Club, Seattle, Wash. Tacoma Country & G.C., Tacoma, Wash. Seattle Golf Club, Seattle, Wash. Pebble Beach Golf Links, Del Monte G. & C.C., Pebble Beach, Calif. Southern Hills C.C., Tulsa, Okla. Club Campestre Monterrey; A.C., Monterrey City, N.L., Mexico ** Open Championship: Sectional Qualifying Championships date may be changed to Monday, June 5 if local authority in charge deems advisable. Amateur Public Links Championship: * Entries close with each Sectional Qualifying Chairman. t Exact date in each Section to be fixed by Sectional Chairman. ***Walker Cup Match: Men’s amateur teams—Great Britain vs. United States. ****Americas Cup Match: Men’s amateur teams—Canada vs. Mexico vs. United States. IN SUPPORT OF THE RULES The proponents of increasingly lighter penalties for the Rules of Golf will al­ ways be able to present a popular case. Golf is a game based on fair play; therefore, they say, why inflict penalties of such magnitude that they place one player at a greater disadvantage than he may have deserved from his play? Furthermore, today it is popular to make everything easier. The case of the traditionalist is not so simple. His position is that golf will cease to be a great amateur sport when it is no longer played under a balanced code or when its penalties become so light that they encourage the player to recover from his misadventures by use of the Rule book, rather than by his skill. It is a very simple matter to isolate any one Rule, apply it to a single situation, and thereby claim that Rule is inequitable and unfair. To make such generalizations from little evidence is dangerous. Not only can it lead to unsound conclusions but it can develop a shallow habit—a change in one Rule can lead to changes in others, with the final result that the whole philosophy of the game may be altered. The Rules must be studied and judged on the overall basis of the kind of game we wish golf to be. They must not be judged by the operation of one Rule on a single occurrence or a single hole or a single course. The present Rules of Golf have evolved naturally through long years of trial and error. They are a code well balanced, fair and equitable, otherwise golf could never have reached its present popularity. What golf needs is not new Rules but better observance of those we have. Richard S. Tufts Former President USGA Claims for Golf Balls Advertisements in New York news­ papers have claimed that Electra golf balls, which are manufactured in Japan, will “increase your distance up to 50 yards.” Inquiries as to the validity of this claim have been received by the USGA. The Association tested the impact velocity of seven Electras in the Spring of 1960. The balls conformed with the USGA Rule limiting impact velocity to 250 feet per second with a maximum tolerance of 2%. Therefore, the USGA has no evidence that the Electra is superior in distance qualities to competi­ tive brands. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 1 Try, Try Again The adage “If at first you don’t suc­ ceed, try, try again” was substantiated recently by Mrs. W. J. Hines of Toronto, Captain of the Ladies’ Section of the St. George’s Golf and Country Club there. While vacationing in Florida, Mrs. Hines played at the Vero Beach Country Club on February 23. At the 125-yard 18th hole, playing with a following wind, Mrs. Hines watched her 5-iron shot hit the flagstick and bounce back less than one inch from the cup. Undismayed at the loss of her first hole-in-one, Mrs. Hines came back to the same course the next day. Noticing that the wind was blowing across at this time, she selected a 4-iron at the 18th. Her tee shot went into the hole. Mrs. Hines did not play on the 25th, but returned to the Vero Beach course on the 26th. Because the wind was now against her, she selected her 3-iron on the 18th, teed up the same ball used for the hole-in-one, and knocked it right back into the hole. In the ensuing excitement, a wire serv­ ice mistakenly identified Mrs. Hines’ achievement as three holes-in-one instead of two and a near miss. When she returned home, Mrs. Hines explained the mistake to her friends. Ac­ cording to Mrs. Hines, “It has been slightly frustrating to hear people say ‘Oh, you mean you only had two holes-in- one in two consecutive rounds.’ ” Americas Cup Changes The biennial schedule for the Americas Cup competition among amateur teams representing Canada, Mexico and the United States has been changed from even-numbered to odd-numbered years. This has resulted in scheduling of a competition in 1961. It will be held Sat­ urday and Sunday, October 21 and 22 at the Club Campestre Monterrey, A.C., in Monterrey City, N.L., Mexico. The change in schedule was made to avoid time difficulties in view of the fact that the World Amateur Team Champion­ ship is played in even-numbered years. The Americas Golf Cup competition is sponsored by the Royal Canadian Golf Association, the Mexican Golf Association and the USGA. Use of Tape on Clubs The USGA has been queried about the use of lead tape on clubs for purposes of weight adjustment. The question about the application of lead tape to iron clubs was raised during the Open Champion­ ship last year. It was ruled that there was no objection to the use of such tape if it were applied in such a way as to seem to be an integral part of the club and so as not to be readily removable. Some players have accomplished this result by buffing the edges of the tape into the metal on the back of the club. However, it is clearly a violation of Rule 2-2b for either the club to be capable of adjustment or for the player to change its characteristics during a round of play. This applies not only to application or removal of lead tape but also to similar treatment of weights in any part of a club. 1962 Junior Championship The 1962 Junior Amateur Champion­ ship will be played at the Lochmoor Club, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. The dates will be Wednesday through Satur­ day, August 1 through 4. The 1961 Junior Championship is scheduled for the Cornell University Golf Course, Ithaca, N. Y., from August 2 through 5. Selective Thieves By piecing together accounts of some winter thefts, amateur detectives might deduce that a band of selective thieves specializing in golf equipment is operat­ ing on a national scale. All the flags and flagsticks were stolen from the Manchester Country Club in Connecticut one night. They were re­ turned a few days later with a note read­ ing, “Sorry, we couldn’t use them.” Meanwhile on the West Coast a set of clubs and 26 balls were stolen from a Country club. They turned up later abandoned in a post office substation with this note: “The Santa Ana police will be interested in these. Please return the clubs and balls to the owner. They’re no use to me as I am left-handed. Besides, the balls have writing on them, causing me to be distracted when I attempt to club one. Thanks. The Phantom.” 2 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 Elder Statesman Art Theler Arthur L. (Art) Theler must hold some sort of record for continuous service in golf administration. His 42 years of mem­ bership in the Board of Directors of the Greater Cincinnati Golfers’ League covers a large part of the history of organized golf in America. His career began as a delegate from the Wyoming Golf Club to the Cincinnati Golfers’ League in 1919. For almost 30 years he served as chairman of the tour­ naments conducted by the League, in­ cluding all of the sectional qualifying rounds for the U. S. Open and U. S. Amateur Championships. From 1948 to 1957, Art served as a director of the Ohio State Golf Associa­ tion and was thereafter elected an honor­ ary member. He was a founder of the Tri-State Golf Association in 1939 and has been serving as a director ever since. All of these official duties, however, did not dull his competitive golfing spirit. He played in many of the tourneys con­ ducted by these associations. Although he did win many invitational tourna­ ments, including five during the 1927 season, and was a semi-finalist three times in the Cincinnati District Cham­ pionship and a quarter-finalist on several other occasions, it was not until late in Art’s golf career that he won his first tournament of importance, the first Dis­ trict Senior Championship in 1951. Last October his many golfing friends game him a testimonial dinner for his years of unselfish and devoted services to golf, which did so much to strengthen the organization of the game in the Cin­ cinnati area. The United States Golf As­ sociation joins in paying tribute to a fine friend of golf. —John W. Fischer 1963 Open At Brookline The 1963 Open Championship will be held at The Country Club, Brookline, Mass., on June 20, 21 and 22. The tourna­ ment will coincide with the 50th anni­ versary of one of golf’s most memorable events, the victory of Francis Ouimet in the Open at The Country Club in 1913. The Country Club, one of five charter members of the USGA, has been the site of seven other USGA Championships as well as the Walker Cup competition in 1932. Ouimet’s victory in 1913 contributed immeasurably to the popularity of golf in the United States. The dramatic suc­ cess of the 20-year-old American against the British masters Ted Ray and Harry Vardon in an 18-hole playoff brought the game to the attention of large numbers of his countrymen for the first time. It was announced earlier that the 1962 Open will be played at the Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa., on June 14, 15 and 16. Necrology It is with deep regret that we record the death of: Innis Brown, golf editor and writer, who had resided in DeLeon Springs, Florida, since his retirement some years ago. He formerly was managing editor of the American Golfer magazine, and has been associated with the United States Golf Association in Rules of Golf mat­ ters and in publication of the USGA Journal. Ralph A. Kennedy who claimed a world record for the number of courses on which he had played. Mr. Kennedy do­ nated his collection of more than 3,150 scorecards to the USGA for display in its Museum in 1957. He had served as a mem­ ber of the Museum Committee since 1952. Milton B. Reach, a retired official of A. G. Spalding Bros., Inc., who designed many of the golf clubs manufactured by that firm. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 3 SUPPORT URGED OF BILL TO REDUCE CLUB DUES TAX By PHILIP H. STRUBING USGA General Counsel A bill to reduce the Federal tax on club dues and initiation fees from 20% to 10% has been introduced in the House and Means is: The address of the Committee on Ways of Representatives by Congressman A. S. Herlong, Jr., of Florida. The bill is H. R. 4606. It has been re­ ferred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Write to House Committee It is recommended that clubs, golf as­ sociations and their individual members get behind the bill promptly by writing the Ways and Means Committee and members of the House of Representatives from their districts. If there is a member of the Ways and Means Committee from your district, it is particularly important that he be con­ tacted by individual members of clubs. It is recommended that clubs suggest to individual members that they write immediately. It is often helpful to ask for an answer to such a letter. Points to Stress It is suggested that the following be emphasized: 1. Reduction in the cabaret tax from 20% to 10%, which took place in 1960, renders the 20% tax on dues and initiation fees more inequitable than it was before. There would seem to be no justification for having a higher tax on membership in social and recreation clubs than the tax on commercial entertainment. 2. Any tax on dues which relate to health and recreation should be re­ duced to a minimum. Athletics of all sorts and particularly golf, which is played by men and women of all ages, contribute greatly to the men­ tal and physical well-being of the people of the United States. Room 1102, House Office Building Washington, D. C. The members of the Committee are: Wilbur D. Mills, Ark., Chairman Cecil R. King ______________ Calif. Thomas J. O’Brien ____________ Ill. Hale Boggs _________________ La. Eugene J. Keogh____________ N. Y. Burr P. Harrison _____________ Va. Frank M. Karsten, ____________ Mo. A. S. Herlong, Jr. ____________ Fla. Frank Ikard _______________ Texas Thaddeus M. Machrowicz ______ Mich. James B. Frazier, Jr. _________ Tenn. William J. Green, Jr. __________ Pa. John C. Watts, _______________ Ky. Al. Ullman _________________ Ore. James A. Burke ____________ Mass. Noah M. Mason ______________ Ill. John W. Byrnes _____________ Wis. Howard H. Baker __________ Tenn. Thomas B. Curtis ____________ Mo. Victor A. Knox _____________ Mich. James B. Utt ______________ Calif. Jackson E. Betts ____________ Ohio Bruce Alger _______________ Calif. Walter M. Mumma ____________ Pa. Steven B. Derounian _________ N. Y. The members of the Committee’s Pro­ fessional Staff are: Leo H. Irwin_________ Chief Counsel John M. Martin, Jr. Assistant Chief Counsel Thomas A. Martin___ Minority Counsel Gerard M. Brannon_ Professional Staff Raymond F. Conkling Professional Staff Alfred R. McCauley_ Professional Staff 4 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 74 QUALIFYING EVENTS TO DETERMINE OPEN FIELD Oakland Hills Is Host to Open for 4th Time The qualifying process to determine the 150 men who will play in the 61st Na­ tional Open Championship begins May 19. Local Qualifying Rounds will be played at 61 sites on May 19, 22 and 23 and Sec­ tional Qualifying Championships at 13 sites on June 5 and 6. All rounds will be over 36 holes in one day. After Local Qualifying, the eligible field for the 13 Sectional Championships will approximate 20 per cent of total en­ tries, excluding those exempted from both qualifying series. The 150 competing at Oakland Hills, near Detroit, will be the exempted players and those who survive Sectional Qualifying. Entries for the Open must be received at the USGA office, 40 East 38th St., New York 16, N. Y., on official forms no later than May 3. The entry fee has been in­ creased from $10 to $15. The 72-hole Championship will carry a $60,000 purse for professionals. The win­ ner’s share will be $14,000. Every pro­ fessional who returns a 72-hole score will receive at least $250, and every amateur who returns a 72-hole score will receive a gold medal. Prize money in each of the 13 Sectional Qualifying Championships has been in­ creased from $100 to $600. The lowest scoring professional will receive $300, the second-place professional $200 and the third-place professional $100. A total of $7,800 will be awarded at the 13 Sectional Qualifying Championships. Thus, the total prize money for all phases of the Open will be $67,800. Twenty players drawn from seven cate­ gories are exempt from all Qualifying. The exempt players and their cate­ gories are: Last five individuals to win the Open—Cary Middlecoff, Dick Mayer, Tommy Bolt, Bill Casper, Jr., and Arnold Palmer; 1960 USGA Amateur Champion— Deane R. Beman; 1960 PGA Champion— Jay Hebert; 1960 British Open Champion —Kelvin Nagle; 1960 British Amateur Champion—Joseph B. Carr; Head profes­ sional at Oakland Hills—Al Watrous; ten lowest scorers and those tying for 10th place in the 1960 Open, excluding any of the last five individuals to win—Arnold Palmer, Jack W. Nicklaus, E. J. Harrison, Julius Boros, Mike Souchak, Ted Kroll, Jack Fleck, Dow Finsterwald, Ben Hogan, Jerry Barber and Donald R. Cherry. LOCAL QUALIFYING Friday, May 19 CALIF. _______ LOS ANGELES Tuesday, May 23 CALIF. _____ SAN FRANCISCO N. J. _____ MONTCLAIR N. Y. ___ LONG ISLAND WESTCHESTER Monday, May 22 ALA. ________ BIRMINGHAM ARIZ. ______________ PHOENIX ARK. _________ LITTLE ROCK CALIF. __________ SAN DIEGO COLO. _____________ DENVER CONN. _________ NEW HAVEN D. C. _________ WASHINGTON FLA. ________ JACKSONVILLE MIAMI TAMPA GA. ___________ ATLANTA HAWAII _________ HONOLULU IDAHO ________________ BOISE ILL. _______________ CHICAGO SPRINGFIELD IND. _________ INDIANAPOLIS SOUTH BEND IOWA _________ DES MOINES KANSAS __________ WICHITA KY. _____________ LOUISVILLE LA. _________ NEW ORLEANS MD. _____________ BALTIMORE MASS. _______________ BOSTON MICH. ______________ DETROIT GRAND RAPIDS MINN. ________ MINNEAPOLIS MISS. ______________ JACKSON MO. ___________ KANSAS CITY ST. LOUIS NEB. _______________ LINCOLN N. M. _______ ALBUQUERQUE N. Y. _______________ ALBANY BUFFALO N. C. ____________ PINEHURST N. D. _________________ FARGO OHIO ___________ CINCINNATI CLEVELAND COLUMBUS TOLEDO OKLA. _______________ TULSA ORE. _____________ PORTLAND PA. ____________ HARRISBURG PHILADELPHIA PITTSBURGH S. C. ___________ GREENVILLE TENN. _____________ MEMPHIS NASHVILLE TEXAS ______________ DALLAS HOUSTON MIDLAND UTAH _____ SALE LAKE CITY VA. _____________ RICHMOND WASH. _____________ SEATTLE SPOKANE W. VA. _______ HUNTINGTON WIS. ___________ MILWAUKEE SECTIONAL QUALIFYING Monday June 5 COLO. ______________ DENVER GA. _______________ ATLANTA ILL. ________________ CHICAGO MO. ___________ KANSAS CITY OHIO ___________ CINCINNATI ORE. _____________ PORTLAND TEXAS ______________ DALLAS Tuesday, June 6 CALIF. _______ BAKERSFIELD D. C. _________ WASHINGTON MICH. _____________ DETROIT N. Y. _______ METROPOLITAN OHIO ___________ CLEVELAND OKLA. ____ OKLAHOMA CITY USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 5 NATIONAL GOLF DAY GROWS INTO A WEEK Entrants to play Champions against par National Golf Week will present a choice of nine playing dates and an updated mode of competition this year to enable golfers throughout the country to estab­ lish new records in generosity. The dates of golf’s only benefit for golf, previously staged as National Golf Day, are May 29 through June 6. Entrants may play as many rounds as they wish. The entry fee for each round is $1. The net scores will be matched against the play of the winner of the Arnold Palmer-Jay Hebert match on June 6. Palmer, the USGA Open Champion, will meet PGA Champion Hebert at the Olympia Fields Country Club, Olympia Fields, Ill., to climax the week, in the “round of the Champion.” Bill Casper, Jr., the 1959 Open Cham­ pion, defeated Bob Rosburg, the 1959 PGA Champion, 67 to 70 last year at the Firestone Country Club, Akron, O. Medals for the Winners Those who beat the winner of the Pal­ mer-Hebert match, using handicaps, will receive National Golf Week medals from the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. All men amateurs will play their nor­ mal handicaps. Ladies will be permitted to use their regular handicaps plus an ad­ ditional 10 strokes, three more than they were allowed in past years. Those with­ out handicaps may employ the Callaway system. In 1961, for the first time, all National Golf Week participants will compete against the winner’s score in relation to par rather than on a stroke-for-stroke basis. Par for the North Course at Olym­ pia Fields, site of the 1961 PGA Cham­ pionship, is 70. This revision makes it possible for players at all courses, in­ cluding par-3 courses, to compete equita­ bly. The event is sponsored by the PGA, which turns over the net receipts to Na­ tional Golf Fund, Inc., for distribution to a number of golf projects and charities. Lou Strong, PGA President, says “There is no other single activity con­ ducted by the PGA which is of more im­ portance to golf.” He has asked all 4,700 PGA members as well as all golf clubs and courses in the country to cooperate in the competition. $800,000 Distributed Last year’s total net revenue amounted to $61,594. Since the inception of the pro­ gram, more than $800,000 has been dis­ tributed. Among the projects rewarded by the program is the U.S.G.A. Green Section Research and Education Fund, Inc., which received $7,800 as a result of the 1960 National Golf Day. A breakdown of the distribution of last year’s receipts illustrates the variety of worthwhile projects served by this na­ tional golf observance. The monies avail­ able after 1960 were allocated on a broad basis of 45 per cent to golf improvement programs (educational), 25 per cent to other educational programs, such as cad­ die scholarship funds, and 30 per cent to other golf projects and charities. The breakdown for 1960 was: Caddie Scholarship Funds ____ $15,000 U.S.G.A. Green Section Research and Education Fund ______ 7,800 Jaycee War Memorial Fund (U. S. Junior Chamber of Commerce) 3,000 United States Blind Golfers’ Association _____________ 1,800 United Voluntary Services____ 3,000 PGA Educational Fund ______ 12,000 PGA Relief Fund__________ 3,600 PGA Benevolent Fund ______ 3,000 Amputee Golf (Possibilities Unlimited) _______________ 3,600 Turf Research and Education Fund (Golf Course Superin­ tendents Association) ______ 7,200 6 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 KEEPING UP WITH THE COST OF GREENKEEPING ARTHUR E. IREDELL, C.P.A. Member of the firm of Harris, Kerr, Forster, & Company By If you’re wondering why your club dues have been increased recently, consider the fact that over the past eight years the cost of maintaining golf courses in the United States has risen a whopping fifty percent. Eight years ago it cost an average of $1878 per hole for the year to keep a course in shape. Year-by-year this cost has steadily advanced to a current average of $2823 per hole. This is the maintenance cost alone—it does not take into account other golf expenses such as golf shop, caddie and committee expenses, real estate taxes or depreciation of equipment. A Study of 50 Clubs These findings are the result of a study completed last August by the firm of Harris, Kerr, Forster & Company, en­ compassing fifty representative golf clubs in all sections of the country. The clubs selected for the study comprise a total of 1,044 holes, or 116 “nines.” A further breakdown of the current nation-wide average annual cost-per-hole shows that of the total of $2823, salaries and wages of the course superintendent and his crew absorbed 70%, or $1961. Course supplies and contracts amounted to $429, or 15% of the total. Another 9%, or $255, went for repairs, and the remain­ ing 6%, or $178, represented all other maintenance expenses such as water, elec­ tricity used in pumping, etc. It might be well at this point to give a brief glossary for purposes of the study: Salaries and Wages include the pay­ roll for the course superintendent and his assistants as well as all labor involved in the maintenance of the course and its equipment. Course Supplies and Contracts means the cost of all maintenance materials as well as work done on outside con­ tract. This category is further broken- down into the following components: seed, flowers, plants and shrubs; fer­ tilizers, insecticides and fungicides; topsoil, sand and cinders; gasoline, lubricants, etc. Repairs include all costs incurred in keeping the course facilities—except the land itself—in proper condition. These include the cost of repairs to: course buildings, fences and bridges; water and drainage systems; mechani­ cal equipment; tools and implements. All miscellaneous maintenance expenses USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 7 not heretofore mentioned are grouped under the “all other” caption. West Coast Costs Highest As stated, the $2823 cost-per-hole repre­ sents a national average, which will vary widely in different sections of the coun­ try. On the West Coast for example, where labor costs are highest, the average cost per hole is considerably steeper at $3692. However, it is an interesting statistic that in all sections, and throughout the past eight years, the portion of the over-all maintenance cost which represents pay­ roll has been fairly uniform. Percentage wise it represents two-thirds of the total throughout the country. This discussion has so far dealt solely with the direct cost of maintenance. The complete study also considers such addi­ tional golf expenses as golf shop, caddie and committee expenses, as well as direct revenue received from green fees paid by guests. The aforementioned sundry golf ex­ penses, when added to the direct mainte­ nance cost, raise the current average yearly total golf expense an additional $319, to $3142 per hole on a nationwide basis. When the direct golf revenue items of green fees and admissions are de­ ducted, however, the overall net cost is reduced to the extent of $769 per hole, so that the net average resultant golf ex­ pense amounts to $2373 per year per hole currently. Geographically, the study shows this net expense as being $2103 for the Eastern clubs situated in New England and the Middle Atlantic states. In the South the figure is $2211, and in the Mid-West, $2472. West of the Rockies the net golf expense per hole during the past year averaged much higher at $2928. Watch Costs Closely The rise has been constant in each of the eight years that our firm has been conducting this annual study and in all probability this trend will continue, plac­ ing more emphasis than ever on the need for green committees to keep close watch over these costs. THE GOLFING TRAIL (Taking four strokes from Kipling) ‘The white moth to the closing bine; The bee to the opened clover.” And the mashie pitch to the ghastly ditch Ever the wide world over. Ever the wide world over, lad; Clear to the Arctic Zone; From the glacial ice you can see the Slice And hear the duffer moan. There are greens by the Guadalquivir; Fairways in Old Cathay; And a tough tenth hole that will rend your soul On the road to Mandalay. “The wild boar to the sun-dried swamp; The red crane to her reed.” And an easy par at Kandahar To lure the golfing breed. There’s a nine-hole course at Quito With greens that fringe the sky, And they cut the grass in the Khyber Pass To furnish a brassie lie. By the wash of the Parramatta Is the golfing flag unfurled; And the crack of the club in the hands of the dub Is the shot heard ’round the world. John Kieran NEW MEMBERS OF THE USGA REGULAR Conn. Silvermine Golf Club Fla. Palmetto Country Club Men's Golf Association River Road Country Club Ky. Mass. Spring Valley Country Club Minn. Long Prairie Country Club Mo. N. Y. Somers Country Club N. Y. Warwick Valley Country Club Loudoun Golf & Country Club Va. Wise. Meadowbrook Town & Country Club Meadow Lake Acres Country Club ASSOCIATE Fla. Port Charlotte Golf & Country Club N. J. Mazdabrook Farms & Country Club Ohio Parkbrook Golf Course Wash. Elks Allenmore Golf Course 8 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 FATE OF GOLF IN CITIES HINGES ON LOCAL PLANNING By JOHN MARSHALL BUTLER U. S. Senator From Maryland Remarks made at the 1961 annual meeting of the Maryland State Golf Association. Iknow it must have been a great relief to all of you, as it was to me, to learn that the new President of the United States is every bit as fond of golf as his predecessor was and is. All that publicity about Touch Football was so much politi­ cal camouflage. In fact, news stories out of Florida a few weeks ago revealed that President Kennedy had played golf six days in a row. Some of us weekend golfers were momentarily overcome with envy perhaps, but good sportsmanship reas­ serted itself and we wished the President good luck and no need for mulligans off the first tee. We all know and agree that golf is a wonderful game for relaxation, for getting our minds off things at the office. But I consider golf to be much more than a recreational pastime. Golf can also be most educational. In fact, as this new Ad­ ministration settles down to the demand­ ing task of running the United States of America, I would like to suggest to the various members of the Cabinet that they visit the golf course as frequently as possible for the following reasons: Dean Rusk, Secretary of State, can practice the highest degree of diplomacy when he catches his opponent teeing up in the rough. Douglas Dillon, Secretary of the Treasury, can lead the fight against in­ flation by not counting whiffs. Robert McNamara, Secretary of De­ fense, can delve into the mysteries of “guided missiles” while attempting to keep his ball in the middle of the fairway. Arthur Goldberg, Secretary of Labor, can pick up some pointers about labor conditions when he tries to find a caddy on Sunday morning at 11:30 a. m. Luther Hodges, Secretary of Commerce, can stimulate the economy with a Buy American program in the Pro Shop and Senator Butler urging all to use new balls on the water holes. Stewart Udall, Secretary of the In­ terior, can advance the cause of conser­ vatism by starting a national program to replace all divots. Orville Freeman, Secretary of Agricul­ ture, can liquidate some of his food sur­ pluses by distributing sandwiches to the higher handicaps before they begin their 6-hour rounds. J. Edward Day, Postmaster General, can experience first hand the working conditions of postal carriers by carrying his own bag. Abraham Ribicoff, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, can personally probe some of the reasons for the serious mental health problem in this Nation while trying to blast out of an overhang­ ing bunker. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 9 Adlai Stevenson, our Ambassador to the United Nations, can exercise his well- known eloquence and persuasion while explaining to his partner why he missed an 18-inch putt for a tie on the last hole. And last, but not least, Robert Ken­ nedy, Attorney General of the United States, can right a long-standing injustice by recommending the permanent elimina­ tion of the stroke and distance penalty for hitting a ball out of bounds. If the Cabinet observes my most re­ spectful suggestion to take up or con­ tinue their golf, I predict that great suc­ cesses will come their way. Over 150 years ago it was said that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton. In a. similar way, it may be writ­ ten by future historians that the Cold War was won on the fairways and greens of Chevy Chase and Burning Tree. Now, on a more serious note, gentle­ men, I would like to discuss briefly some of the problems that confront country clubs and all recreation areas in our rapidly developing society. Outdoor Recreation Crisis A crisis in outdoor recreation appears to be approaching. Each year the gap between the active demand and the op­ portunities for outdoor recreation grows wider and the gap between the potential demand and opportunity wider still. From all signs outdoor recreation in the United States has reached the take-off point. What up until now has been largely a matter of inconvenience to an increasing number of individuals is turning into a serious national problem that not only concerns the use of many million acres of land but also a large segment of our whole national pattern of life. The main point is this: We Americans don’t just want outdoor recreation, we need it. Moving from farms to cities and suburbs has not meant turning our backs on land and water and open sky. As a people, we don’t feel right unless we can get back from time to time to the out-of- doors. If we should ever lose this urge, there will have been a profound change in the national character. Meanwhile, it is abundantly clear that outdoor recrea­ tion is not just one alternative use of family income and leisure time that rises and falls automatically with changing costs and fashions. Meeting the demand of such recreation is a national problem of the first rank. To get some idea of the magnitude of this problem, let’s examine the four fac­ tors that appear to be the main com­ ponents of total demands. A Population Boom 1. Population. There will be about twice as many people in the United States in the year 2000 as there were in 1950. Pro­ jecting future birth rates is a tricky business but it is reasonable to expect a national population of 240 million in 1980 and 310 million in 2000. We know too that even a larger proportion of the fu­ ture population will be city people who will have to look to specialized areas for getting outdoors. Buying Power to Double 2. Buying Power. People will have more money to spend—perhaps twice as much per person in 2000 as in 1950. This will greatly stimulate use of recreation areas. Income after taxes averaged about $1600 per person in 1956. A reasonable esti­ mate for the year 2000 is in the neigh­ borhood of $3600. The 28-Hour Work Week 3. Leisure. People will have more time for outdoor recreation. The average num­ ber of hours worked per week has been dropping steadily, from around 70 in 1850 to around 40 in 1950. The 8-hour day 5-day week is by now nearly standard, and its relation to the great rise in all kinds of outdoor recreation is obvious. The future prospect is for still shorter working days and weeks and for longer and more widespread vacations. A reason­ able estimate for the year may well be an average work week of about 28 hours. Gentlemen, those of us still around will be able to play a leisurely 18 holes after work with no trouble at all. More Leisure Travel 4. Mobility. People will travel more. In 1900, when steam and electric rail­ roads were the chief forms of transporta­ tion (together with the horse), the aver­ age traveler covered about 500 miles a year. Today, with the airplane and the family automobile, the yearly average has risen to about 5,000 miles. Although part of the growth represents a great increase io USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 in commuting, there still is a large gain left over for leisure travel. A reasonable estimate for the year 2000 is an average of about 9,000 miles a year for each traveler. In other words, the golfer of the year 2000 will take in stride a drive of 10 or 20 miles from his home to the golf course. All four of these forces are pushing in the same direction and all reinforce each other. To get some idea of the total effect, we need to multiply rather than to add. Twice as many people, twice as much in­ come per person, 1.5 times as much lei­ sure, and nearly twice as much travel comes out to roughly 10 times as much demand for outdoor recreation in the year 2000 as in 1950. The word “roughly” is used advisedly. We don’t know that the estimates for 2000 will turn out as projected. We don’t know exactly how they will act upon each other. The total increase in recreational demand might be as small as 5 times or as great as 15 times. But a tenfold in­ crease seems the .best single figure. Advance Planning Needed Now it’s as obvious as a straight down­ hill putt that this increase calls for ad­ vance planning. And it so happens that a National Outdoor Recreation Commis­ sion has been formed to study the Na­ tion’s future recreational requirements and to evaluate the assets available for fulfilling these needs. You might think that any one of you gentlemen here to­ night could go to this Commission and receive some valuable information and assistance about where golf courses fit into the future of this country. But you would disappointed if you did drop by the headquarters of the National Outdoor Recreation Commission. In fact you would be shown the front door— albeit most politely. Why? Because the Act of Congress which created the Out­ door Recreation Commission states that: “Outdoor recreation resources shall not mean nor include recreation facilities, programs and opportunities usually as­ sociated with urban development, such as playgrounds, stadiums, golf courses, city parks and zoos.” In other words, gentlemen, you are on your own. But not completely. For in­ stance, the National Golf Foundation was founded as a non-profit organization in 1936 by the major makers of golf equip­ ment. Its purpose: “To broaden oppor­ tunities for all Americans to enjoy golf, ‘The Game of a Lifetime,’ by assisting in the development of more golf facilities and the promotion of golf activities of all types, wherever needed.” Its function: “To gather and evaluate information in all areas of golf from every possible source, and to make this information available to anyone needing it.” Although the National Golf Foundation is concerned with every area of golf ac­ tivity, its prime objective is to encourage and assist new golf course development. This emphasis is all important for the nation’s golfing population will always be limited by the number of courses available. At the same time, each new course that opens for play attracts new players to the game. This in turn creates more pressure for additional courses. Be­ cause of the very nature of this cycle, there will never be enough golf courses to completely satisfy the demand for places to play. Golf courses seem to be forgotten. It is up to you gentlemen to remind the pub­ lic again and again of the need for recrea­ tion and therefore of the need for golf courses. The Federal Government can do little in this area for it is primarily a state affair. A Giant Metropolis And the squeeze will get increasingly tighter on open land. There is talk of a giant metropolis stretching from Boston to Norfolk by the year 2000. Fifty or 75 million people will live in that great slice of land. They will need and expect recrea­ tion. It will be men like yourselves work­ ing in conjunction with state planning boards who will insure that room is pro­ vided for golf courses. How can that be done? Well, first the growth of such urban areas demands that state legislation set sound standards and procedures for urban development. You will quickly learn that open space, like charity, begins at home. Second, the powers and resources of state government need to be marshalled in support of regional-metropolitan plan­ ning including planning for the early acquisition of large natural areas. Thirdly, and most important, state government must gird for the massive USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 11 assault which metropolitan populations make upon basic resource areas. To emphasize how important and how needed is your interest, I would like to quote from a letter that I received only yestrday from the Planning Department of the State of Maryland. “I have searched the records and studies of this agency and the reports of local planning agencies within Maryland. I have been unable to uncover anything specifically referring to tax relief or other measures aimed at encouraging pri­ vate golf courses for permanent urban land use. “The subject of open space preservation is receiving wide attention and study. Golf courses are quite naturally a very important factor in open space planning and study. “As you know, public awareness is just beginning to crystallize on the alarming need to preserve open areas for recrea­ tion. The major avenues for an eco­ nomical solution are largely untried. In any case successful open space preserva­ tion will depend upon local attitudes and local planning.” Let me repeat that last sentence, if I may. “In any case successful open space preservation will depend upon local atti­ tudes and local planning.” Golf Needs Defenders All of this, gentlemen, adds up to one thing: Outdoor recreation in general and the Sport of a Lifetime, Golf, in particu­ lar, needs defenders to guarantee its place in the great urban areas of tomorrow. If the America of tomorrow is to have something other than miniature golf courses and driving ranges, we all must begin to plan today for a place for new, bigger and better Chevy Chases and Roll­ ing Roads. USGA PUBLICATIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST THE RULES OF GOLF, as approved by the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scot­ land. Booklet 25 cents (special rates for quan­ tity orders, more than 500). USGA GOLF HANDICAP SYSTEM FOR MEN, containing recommendations for computing USGA Handicap and for rating courses. Book­ let 25 cents. USGA Slide Rule Handicapper 25 cents. Poster 15 cents. THE CONDUCT OF WOMEN’S GOLF, contain­ ing suggestions for guidance in the conduct of women’s golf in clubs and associations, in­ cluding tournament procedure, handicapping and course rating. 35 cents. USGA Slide Rule Handicapper 25 cents. Poster 15 cents. A GUIDE FOR GREEN COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF GOLF CLUBS, a 16-page booklet compiled by William H. Bengeyfield from correspond­ ence, articles and speeches by Green Commit­ tee Chairmen, Golf Course Superintendents and USGA officials. 25 cents. COURSE RATING REPORT, a form for rating a course hole by hole; for association use, size 414 x 7 inches. 10 cents, $7.50 per 100. COURSE RATING POSTER for certifying hole by hole ratings to a club; for association use, size BMi x 11 inches. 5 cents. $3.50 per 100. HANDICAPPING THE UNHANDICAPPED, a reprint of a USGA Journal article explaining the Callaway System of automatic handicap­ ping for occasional players in a single tour­ nament. No charge. TOURNAMENTS FOR YOUR CLUB, a reprint of a USGA Journal article detailing various types of competitions. No charge. PREPARING THE COURSE FOR A COMPETI­ TION, a reprint of a USGA Journal article. No charge. COSTLY FIRES IN GOLF CLUB PROPERTIES, reprint of a USGA Journal article by T. Sed- don Duke. No charge. THE RULE ABOUT OBSTRUCTIONS, a reprint of a USGA Journal article by Joseph C. Dey, Jr. No charge. PROTECTION OF PERSONS AGAINST LIGHT­ NING ON GOLF COURSES, a poster. No charge. HOLE-IN-ONE Awards. No charge. LETTER AND SPIRIT OF THE AMATEUR CODE, a reprint of a USGA Journal article by Joseph C. Dey, Jr. No charge. GAMBLING IN GOLF TOURNAMENTS, a re­ print of a USGA Journal article by Richard S. Tufts. No charge. WORK OF A CLUB GREEN COMMITTEE, a re­ print of panel discussions conducted by the USGA Green Section Committee. No charge. HOW TO MEET RISING COSTS OF GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE, PARTS I & II, re­ prints of panel discussions conducted by the USGA Green Section Committee. No charge. WATER USE ON THE GOLF COURSE, a re­ print of talks delivered at the 1960 Educa­ tional Program conducted by the USGA Green Section Committee. No charge. MISTER CHAIRMAN, a reprint of a USGA Journal article outlining the duties of the Chairman of the Green Committee. No charge. ARE YOU A SLOW PLAYER? ARE YOU SURE? A reprint of a USGA Journal article by John D. Ames. No charge. A JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM FOR YOUR CLUB AND DISTRICT, a 16-page booklet on organizing and developing junior golf programs at different levels by the USGA Junior Cham­ pionship Committee. No charge. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT, a 33-page magazine published seven times a year. $2 a year. These publications are available on request to the United States Golf Association, 40 East 38th Street, New York 16, N. Y. Please send payment with your order. 12 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 WHAT PAR IS The evolution of yardage scales to define "perfect play” Par is one of many things which Ameri­ can golfers take for granted. Yet it had no official status in the United States until 1911 and still has little if any offi­ cial status in the British Isles, where bogey, the score an average good golfer might be expected to make on a hole, holds sway. Par Defined in 1911 Par means perfect play without flukes and under ordinary weather conditions, always allowing two strokes on each putt­ ing green. It came into official usage in 1911 when the Executive Committee of the USGA resolved to prepare a handi­ cap list of men who were members of Member Clubs. To this end, it issued “Directions for Computing Par” so that the handicaps might have a uniform base. These directions included a yardage scale and defined par as “perfect play without flukes and under ordinary weather condi­ tions, always allowing two strokes on each putting green.” In 1917, the yardage scale for men was revised to take into account “the longer flight of the modern ball.” The maximum for a par 3 hole was increased from 225 to 250 yards. The maximum for a par 4 hole was increased from 425 to 445 yards. Two Women’s Scales in 1924 In 1924, the USGA published two yardage scales for women’s par. One was that adopted by the Women’s Western Golf Association and approved by the Women’s Eastern Golf Association. The other was that adopted by the Ladies’ Golf Union of Great Britain. They were uniform in fixing the maximum for a par 3 hole at 175 yards. The United States Association’s maximum for a par 4 hole was 325 yards and the British 350 yards. The United States maximum for a par 5 hole was 450 yards and the British 500 yards. The United States also provided pars of 6 for holes up to 575 yards and 7 for holes more than 576 yards. The following year, 1925, the Women’s Western Golf Association and the Women’s Southern Golf Association adopted a revised yardage scale “on ac­ count of the improvement of women’s golf,” and this, too, was published by the USGA. It raised the maximum for par 3 holes to 190 yards, for par 4 holes to 350 yards and for par 5 to 500 yards. The Lengthening Game In 1934, the United States Golf As­ sociation adopted a yardage scale for par for women and incorporated both the men’s and women’s scales in the appendix to its Rules of Golf booklet. The men’s scale retained the maximum set in 1917 of 250 yards for par 3 holes and 445 yards for par 4 holes, but it set a maximum of 600 yards for a par 5 hole and established as a par 6 any hole of 601 or more yards. Men’s measurements now are 250 yards and under for par 3s, up to 470 for par 4s and anything over 471 yards is a par 5. There are no provisions for par 6 holes. In 1934 the women’s scale increased all the maximums that had been published in 1925. The maximum for a par 3 was set at 200 yards, and for a par 4 at 375 yards; a par 5 had no maximum. A maximum of 550 yards was fixed for a women’s par 5 hole the following year, 1935, and all holes 551 yards or longer were par 6. Women’s Scale Revised In 1939 the women’s scale was revised again, the maximums for par 3 holes be­ ing increased to 210 yards and for par 4 to 400 yards. It has not since been re­ vised. Women’s par measurements now are: par 3, up to 210 yards; par 4, up to 400 yards; par 5 up to 575 yards; par 6, any­ thing over 576. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 13 CELEBRITIES PICTURED IN GIFT TO “GOLF HOUSE” H. B. Martin collection added to Museum The image of the golfing celebrity in­ trigues the American sporting pub­ lic. Something within the psyche of the fan responds warmly to the sight of re­ nowned athletes from other sports and theatrical personalities playing the game in their leisure moments. Promoters, noticing this phenomenon, have begun to capitalize on it. “Celebrity Golf,” the television series, and the suc­ cess of the annual baseball players’ golf championship, which draws galleries larger than some major league games do, are recent examples. This interest in the celebrity-golfer is certainly not new. After World War I, the famous and near-famous discovered golf and flocked to courses where they were invariably noticed and photo­ graphed. Hollywood press agents were soon is­ suing photos of starlets with beguiling captions such as: “Brenda Dawn, soon to appear in ‘Frivolities of 1928,’ relaxes on the links.” It was apparent that the young lady’s high heels would not en­ dear her to the course superintendent. A Gift of Rare Photos Other celebrities took to the game wholeheartedly. Many became fine play­ ers. “Golf House” has lately been en­ hanced by a gift that includes a rare col­ lection of informal snapshots of celebri­ ties playing golf during that era which began at the end of World War I and closed with the onset of the depression. Pictures from this series depicting four of baseball’s most hallowed figures ac­ company this article. The United States Golf Association is grateful to Gould Martin, Executive Sec­ retary of the National Football Founda­ tion, for this gift from the collection of his father, the late H. B. Martin. Connie Mack Walter Johnson 14 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 The gift shows that the versatile H. B. Martin, a gifted cartoonist, journalist and golf historian, was also adept with a camera. Most of the photos in the scrap­ book were taken by him at resorts. Also included in the gift are 22 books most of them long since out of print; a set of four instructional color drawings by H. B. Martin, other scrapbooks contain­ ing golf clippings and verse, and a buckle emblematic of membership in the Stone Crab Golf Society of Florida’s Belleair Club. The collection of snapshots is by no means confined to baseball stars. A ran­ dom flip of pages will reveal Charlie Paddock, nattily attired in knickers and two-toned golf shoes, following through after a tee shot. H. B. Martin’s caption tells us that Paddock had set the world’s record of 9.6 seconds in the 100-yard dash. Other glances will show those two great captors of the American idiom, Ring Lardner and George Ade, ready to begin a round; the fun-loving boxer Young Stribling in a gag shot with a wood in his hands and a ball balanced on the head of a caddie; Gene Sarazen, cigar in mouth, delivering a left hook to the chin of a grinning Gene Tunney; and Wal- Ty Cobb Babe Ruth ter Hagen drawing a laugh from the Prince of Wales after winning the Bri­ tish Open in 1922. And so it goes, this pictorial treasure chest of an era which, viewed from the vantage point of the complex ’60s, ap­ pears simple, charming and irrevocably lost. H. B. Martin’s photos will be stored in the files at Golf House with more than 10,000 other prints portraying virtually every phase of the game. His books will be added to the library which now houses nearly 4,000 volumes. The Museum and Library in “Golf House,” which opened its doors ten years ago, have been built up by contributions from golf-lovers over the world. Permanent exhibits of historical value are on display—clubs used by Champions, such as Robert T. Jones, Jr.’s famous putter “Calamity Jane II;” a fine collec­ tion of other clubs, balls, medals, por­ traits, documents and a club-maker’s bench, circa 1904, an authentic reproduc­ tion from its spring-jaw vise to its tea chest. “Golf House” is open Monday through Friday from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M. Visitors are welcome to browse at their leisure. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 15 DO YOU KNOW Here is a golf competition in which there’s no waiting on the first tee, you play as you sit, use a pencil instead of clubs, and a round can be played in­ doors at night. But you need to know something about the Rules of Golf, etiquette, definitions, history and records of the game. YOUR GOLF? Open Championship and the PGA Championship? 13. Is the referee of a match allowed to attend the flagstick? 14. Is it permissible for a Committee to declare an area out of bounds which is on club property? 1. What is the difference between a golf links and a golf course? 2. When fence posts define out of bounds, is the actual out of bounds line the imaginary line from the cen­ ter of a post to the center of the adjacent post? 3. In what way is there a similarity be­ tween the runner-up in the National Amateur of 1921 played at the St. Louis Country Club and the runner- up in the 1960 National Amateur played over the same course? 4. May a player remove a leaf from be­ hind his ball in a bunker without penalty? ANSWERS TO “QUIZ GOLF” 1. A golf links is found only on “links- land,” which means it is a seaside layout and utilizes duneland and sandy soil. 2. No. The out of bounds line is the side point of a post (that is, nearest facing the course) to the nearest in­ side point of a post to the nearest in­ side point of the adjacent post. 3. The name of both runners-up was Robert Gardner. The two Gardners are not related. 4. No. This would be a violation of Rule 33-1, as a leaf is a loose impedi­ ment. 5. Do the Rules of Golf permit the use of a “croquet style” putter? 5. Yes. 6. What do Bob Jones, Ben Hogan and Willie Anderson have in common? 7. A player drops a ball from ground under repair and it rolls into a bunker. May he re-drop without penalty? 8. What is a “Mulligan?” 9. Is a player whose ball strikes a power line crossing the fairway en­ titled to replay without penalty? 10. A player’s ball was enfolded in the flag. His opponent insisted that he must place the ball on the putting surface the same distance from the hole as it was from its position with­ in the flag. Was the opponent cor­ rect? 11. May players use the small British size ball in international team com­ petitions which are held in this country? 12. Which player or players have won in the same season the National 6. Each won the Open Championship four times. Jones won in 1923-26 29- 30. Hogan won in 1948-50-51-53. An­ derson won in 1901-03-04-05. 7. Yes. Rule 22-2c permits him to re­ drop if he wishes. 8. “Mulligan” is a slang expression for the illegal act of a player hitting two shots off the first tee and taking his choice of the two. 9. No, unless there is a local rule per­ mitting it. 10. No. The player was entitled to place his ball on the lip of the hole with­ out penalty. 11. Yes, this is permitted by Rule 2-3a. 12. Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan. Sara- zen’s great year was 1922 and Hogan’s, 1948. 13. No. 14. Yes. Rule 36-6 applies. 16 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 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. "61-1” means the first decision issued in 1961. “D” means definition. “R. 37-7” refers to Section 7 of Rule 37 in the 1961 Rules of Golf. THE RULE ABOUT OBSTRUCTIONS By JOSEPH C. DEY, JR. USGA Executive Director It was a sad story the new golfer was telling: “My drive was right down the middle,” he said; “one of the few I hit in the fair­ way all day. But I found the ball nestling against a water outlet. “Well, I tried to hit it with my number three iron. Not only was it a punk shot, but I broke my club, and it was a new one” “But why didn’t you lift the ball?” his friend asked. “Lift it? I thought you had to play the ball as it lies all the time.” That’s a good, safe way to start life as a golfer—to play the ball as it lies. But the fact is that there are times when the ball may be lifted and its position im­ proved, without penalty. The average golfer is inclined to regard the Rules of Golf as being mainly prohi­ bitions and obligations—you can’t do this and you must do that. But that dim view is an uninformed view. The Rules contain a great many rights and privileges which can be appreciated only by reading the code. An important Rule in this respect is the one which the new golfer in the sad incident above could have invoked but did not—Rule 31, deal­ ing with obstructions. This rule is a pro­ lific source of questions submitted to the USGA. Artificial or Natural? It should first be understood what is meant by the term “obstruction.” Defini­ tion 20 in the Rules provides: “An ‘obstruction’ is anything artificial, whether erected, placed or left on the course except: a. Objects defining out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes, and railings; b. Artificially constructed roads and paths anywhere; USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 17 c. Any construction which is an integral part of the course, such as retaining walls of hazards and masonry on banks or beds of open water courses. (Bridges and bridge supports which are not part of water hazards are obstructions.)” Thus, obstructions include such things as: pipes water outlets buildings vehicles paper shelters hoses bottles rakes The Rules make a distinction between artificial things (which are obstructions) and natural objects. For example, Defini­ tion 17 describes loose impediments as follows: “The term ‘loose impediments’ de­ notes natural objects not fixed or growing and not adhering to the ball, and includes stones not solidly em­ bedded, leaves, twigs, branches and the like, dung, worms and insects and casts or heaps made by them.” In summary: An obstruction is an arti­ ficial thing. A loose impediment is a natural thing. How to Treat an Obstruction We are discussing obstructions here. Relief from an obstruction is provided for in Rule 31. The Rule has two sections. The first section presents no problems: “Any movable obstruction may be removed. If the ball be moved in so doing, it shall be replaced on the ex­ act spot from which it was moved, without penalty. If it be impossible to determine the spot or to replace the ball on the exact spot from which it was moved, the ball shall, through the green or in a hazard, be dropped, or on the putting green be placed, as near as possible to the spot from which it was moved but not nearer the hole, without penalty. “When a ball is in motion, an ob­ struction other than an attended flag­ stick and equipment of the players shall not be removed.” Suppose a rake has been left in a bunker. Your ball comes to rest against the rake. As the rake is movable, you may remove it. If your ball is moved in the process, you must place or drop it as specified. The second section of Rule 31 deals with immovable obstructions: “When the ball lies on or touches an immovable obstruction, or when an immovable obstruction within two club-lengths of the ball interferes with the player’s stance, stroke or backward movement of his club for the stroke in the direction in which he wishes to play, the ball may be lifted without penalty. Through the green or in a hazard, the ball may be dropped, or on the putting green placed, within two club-lengths of that point on the outside of the ob­ struction nearest which the ball ori­ ginally lay; it must come to rest not nearer the hole than its original posi­ tion. “The player may not measure through the obstruction. “Interference with the line of play is not of itself interference under this Rule.” When the Rule Applies In the first place, we may apply the Rule if the ball lies on or touches an im­ movable obstruction. Secondly, we may apply the Rule when all three of the following conditions exist: 1. There must be interference with the player’s stance or stroke or the backward movement of his club for the stroke. 2. The interference must come from an obstruction which is immovable. 3. The obstruction must be within two club-lengths of the ball. If any one of those three conditions is not present, you can’t invoke this sec­ tion of the Rule. But assuming all three conditions do exist, what relief does the Rule allow? Well, you may lift the ball, without pen­ alty. Then, everywhere except on the putting green, you drop it within two club-lengths of that point on the outside of the obstruction nearest which the ball originally lay, and it must come to rest not nearer the hole. On the putting green you place it as described above. Note that you don’t drop it within two club-lengths of where the ball originally lay. Suppose the ball originally lay a club-length from a protective screen which interfered with your backswing. If you were allowed to drop it within two club-lengths of where it originally lay, you might drop it a total of three club­ lengths from the screen. To make matters uniform and fair, the Rule requires dropping the ball within 18 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 two club-lengths of that point on the out­ side of the screen nearest which the ball originally lay. Here is an example: Point X is that point of the screen nearest which the ball originally lay. You are allowed to drop within two club­ lengths of that point, not nearer the hole than where the ball first lay. Thus, if the straight dotted line is two club-lengths long, you may drop the ball anywhere within the territory bounded by the curved dotted line, provided the ball comes to rest not nearer the hole than its original position. You may not measure through the obstruction in determining where to drop within two club-lengths. Out-of-Bounds Stakes Not Obstructions Under Definition 20, stakes or similar objects used to mark out of bounds are not obstructions. Therefore, they may not be pulled up. If they interfere with a stroke or stance, there is no free relief from them. Various means are used to define boundaries: stakes, fence posts and so forth. Sometimes, on a single hole, part of a boundary is marked by a fence and part by stakes. It is considered advisable to treat them uniformly. Since the near­ est inside points of stakes and fence posts at ground level determine the line of bounds (Definition 21), the stakes and posts themselves are out of bounds. Rule 31 applies only to obstructions on the course. Further, if out-of-bounds stakes were classified as obstructions, some might be removed to enable a player to play a stroke, and the player might neglect to have them replaced. Thus, the competi­ tors in a tournament might not play a uniform course. It was therefore felt that classifying out-of-bounds stakes as non-obstructions would discourage tampering with them, would simplify the definition with regard to boundary markers, and would help in­ sure uniform playing conditions. (However, stakes defining water haz­ ards are obstructions under the Rules.) Incidentally, some clubs set out-of- bounds stakes permanently in concrete, or use concrete markers. This prevents a fluctuating boundary and in the long run should reduce upkeep costs. Following are some points about ob­ structions which have arisen under the Rules: BALL IN HAZARD MUST BE DROPPED IN HAZARD USGA 58-24 Q: A ball lies on a bridge crossing a water hazard. The spot on the bridge at which the ball lies is within the confines of the hazard, but is less than two club­ lengths from the rear margin of the hazard. In proceeding under Rule 31-2, may the player drop the ball without penalty outside the hazard but within two club-lengths of the spot on the bridge where the ball originally lay, but not nearer the hole? Question by: Fielding Wallace Augusta, Ga. A: No. As the ball originally lay within the confines of a hazard, it must be drop­ ped within the confines of the same hazard in proceeding under Rule 31-2. See Rule 22-3. CANNOT MEASURE THROUGH OBSTRUCTION USGA 53-23 Q: A wire screen protects our 13th tee from players approaching the 12th green. Your rule on obstructions does not state clearly whether or not a ball resting with­ in two club-lengths of this screen may be dropped either side of the screen, not nearer the hole. Can the ball be dropped through the screen, no nearer the hole? The rule is not definite as it is now writ­ ten. Question by: Samuel Y. Boggs Jenkintown, Pa. A: In proceeding under Rule 31-2, the player may not measure through an im­ movable obstruction in determining where to drop within two club-lengths of that point of the obstruction nearest which the ball originally lay. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 19 “NEAREST POINT” OF OPEN SHED USGA 52-19 QI: Ball went into a shed on the course. It stopped in the middle of the shed and the nearest point of the obstruction to the ball was a post in the middle of the shed. Moving two club-lengths from nearest point of the obstruction to the ball would not get the ball out of the shed. Is this correct? Al: No. In Rule 31 the reference to the nearest point of the obstruction means the nearest point on the outside of the obstruction. The object of the Rule is to provide the player with relief from the obstruction. PAVEMENT AROUND OBSTRUCTION Q2: On the course there is a drink stand. Around the stand is pavement. The ball stopped on the pavement. Again, moving two club-lengths from the nearest point of the obstruction would not get the ball off the pavement. Would it have to be played on the pavement? A2: It depends upon whether the local committee defined the pavement as an obstruction. Under Definition 20, artifi­ cially constructed roads and paths are not obstructions; however, it would not be im­ proper to consider the pavement in ques­ tion as an obstruction. If it were classi­ fied as an obstruction, see answer 1 above. OUT-OF-BOUNDS POST — NO RELIEF Q3: According to the Rule book, a ball cannot be moved away from an out-of- bounds post, or anything marking out of bounds. Is this correct? A3: Yes. Under Definition 20, a I oun- dary marker is not an obstruction and there is no relief under Rule 31. Questions by: Charles F. Bailey Tampa, Fla. BALL IN DRAIN PIPE USGA 55-51 Q: My partner hit a ball which ap­ parently went out of bounds. The ball struck a bank of a roadway which was definitely out of bounds and bounced in­ to a ditch beside the roadway which was also out of bounds. After a diligent search, the ball was found resting in a metal drain pipe leading from the afore­ mentioned ditch underneath the golf course. Although the entrance to the drain pipe was out of bounds, the ball had traveled some two or three feet in bounds in the drain pipe, but under­ ground some six feet. In other words, the ball was under the golf course in a metal drain pipe. It was ruled that he was entitled to drop from the metal drain pipe without penalty even though he had to go out of bounds to retrieve the ball. The ball was dropped immediately above its resting place in the drain pipe and subsequently was holed out for a birdie 4. Did we rule correctly on this unusual situation? A: No. In obtaining relief under Rule 31-2, the player may not measure through an obstruction or through the ground. To obtain relief under Rule 31-2 under the circumstances described, the player must drop the ball within two club­ lengths of the opening of the obstruction nearest to where the ball lay, and it must come to rest not nearer to the hole than the place where the ball lay. Since the Rules do not give relief from obstructions which are out of bounds, the player may not use any part of an obstruction which is out of bounds as the beginning point in the application of Rule 31-2. Therefore, if the opening of the drain pipe nearest to where the ball lay is out of bounds, Rule 31-2 does not ap­ ply, and the only recourse is for the player to declare the ball unplayable and proceed under Rule 29-2. LOCAL RULE FOR CONCRETE EDGING OF WATER HAZARD USGA 60-4 Q. Definition 20: Indian Creek Island, on which this course is located, is a man­ made island, earth from the bottom of Biscayne Bay having been pumped into a concrete bulkhead with a coping about two feet wide on its top. We have several holes of the course bordering Biscayne Bay and a ball frequently stops against this coping. Heretofore the Bay has been played as a lateral water hazard because occasionally at low tide, with the wind from a certain direction, considerable sand is exposed and it is permissible for a player to play from it. On account of this the coping has been considered an immovable obstruction. Does the language of Definition 20 mean now that this coping is not an im­ movable obstruction, which would mean 20 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 on frequent occasions that the ball would be in an unplayable lie? If your answer to the first question con­ cerning Rule 29-2b(i), should be negative, it often would mean that a ball could not be properly dropped. If you can recognize the question that this poses, your sug­ gestions would be appreciated. Question by: J. Simpson Dean Miami Beach, Fla. A: The coping is not an immovable ob­ struction—Definition 20c. Since the condition is abnormal with respect to balls lying through the green, the Club would be justified in adopting a local rule classifying the coping as an ob­ struction with relation to balls lying through the green. However, we would not recommend that this be applicable to a ball in the lateral water hazard. See USGA Appendix, Local Rules, item 2, on page 55 of the 1961 Rules booklet. LIMED LINE NOT OBSTRUCTION USGA 56-8 Q: A ball comes to rest on a limed line laid on the ground to control the gallery. Is the player allowed to lift it without penalty and drop it as provided for in Rule 31-2? A: No. Such a line is not in the nature of an obstruction as defined in Definition 20. Question by: Warren Orlick Orchard Lake, Mich, and Harold Sargent Atlanta, Ga. TURF RAISED BY UNDERGROUND PIPE USGA 58-2 Q: If a water-pipe is just underground in some places and above ground in other places, but the covered parts raise the ground to a point where it would make a very uncomfortable stance, and if the player spread his feet a little further apart he would be standing on exposed pipe, can this covered part be treated as an immovable obstruction. Question by: Leon Kaplan Waltham, Mass. A: In the absence of a local rule, the Rules of Golf provide no relief from turf raised to cover an underground water pipe. Two avenues of relief appear to be open to the club. The first would be to level the terrain surrounding the pipe. The second would be to draft a local rule to provide free relief, based upon the prin­ ciples of Rule 31-2. Where the pipe is exposed, Rule 31-2 would of course apply. WHEN NATURAL OBJECTS MAY BE TRANSFORMED INTO OBSTRUCTIONS Revised USGA 59-40 Q: Is a half-eaten pear in front of a ball in a hazard an obstruction as defined in Definition 20 or is a two-stroke penalty incurred in removing the pear before the ball is hit? The hazard in which the pear was lodged is not in close proximity of the pear tree. Question by: Mrs. Robert I. Lacey Great Neck, N. Y. A: If the player removed the pear, she violated Rule 33-1, the penalty for which is: Match play—Loss of hole; Stroke play —Two strokes. A pear is a natural object. When de­ tached from a tree it is a loose impedi­ ment under Definition 17 and may not be removed from a hazard. The facts that someone had partially eaten the pear in question and that it was foreign to its natural area do not alter the case. Natural objects may be transformed in­ to obstructions (Definition 20) through processes of manufacturing or construc­ tion. For example: a log (loose impedi­ ment) which has been split and has had legs attached to it has been changed by construction into a bench (obstruction); or a piece of coal (loose impediment) is considered an obstruction after it has been manufactured into a charcoal briquet. However, a loose impediment does not become an obstruction merely because it may have been slightly altered by man. If it were otherwise, a player might declare that a twig broken by a man’s footstep is an obstruction. BALL IN COIL OF HOSE Q: In the final of the 1956 Spokane city USGA 56-36 championship the following occurred: On the second extra hole one player’s second shot rolled off the back right-hand side of the green and came to rest in a coil of hose on top of a retaining wall be­ hind the slightly elevated green. The referee ruled the ball could be lifted out of the hose and within two USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 21 club-lengths away from the retaining wall, which he ruled was an immovable obstruction. The referee picked up the ball and placed it within the two club-lengths. The player on order from the referee picked up the ball again and placed it once more at a spot designated by the referee. The player then played the ball onto the green. 1. Did the referee break a Rule by lift­ ing and placing the ball? 2. Can the referee arbitrarily rule that a ball may be placed before it is first dropped in the prescribed manner to determine whether it would roll into a hazard or out of bounds? 3. Is it permissible, under any circum­ stances, for a ball being played through the green to be placed before it has first been dropped in a manner prescribed by the Rules? Question by: Bob Johnson Spokane, Wash. A: 1. A referee should not handle a ball in play. See the last paragraph of Definition 26. However, no penalty can attach to the player because of the referee’s action; the referee’s decision is final, under Rule 11-2. 2 and 3. Although referees are allowed some discretion, there was no justifica­ tion for ruling that the ball should be placed in this case. Apparently the referee felt that Rule 31-2 applied. How­ ever, Rule 31-2 requires that the ball be dropped (through the green). Dropping is necessary to resolve any doubt as to whether it is impossible to prevent it from rolling into a hazard, out of bounds or nearer the hole, before permitting it to be placed under Rule 22-2. A hose is normally a movable obstruc­ tion, and relief from that alone would have been governed by Rule 31-1. CONCRETE BASES OF FENCE POSTS USGA 57-19 Q: Fence posts were set in approxi­ mately 14-inch concrete bases for a fence which bounded the course. Is the part of the concrete base which is within the boundary of the course considered an ob­ struction? A ball was lying against such concrete base. Question by: M. Sanders Valley Stream, N. Y. A: A fence defining out of bounds is not an obstruction (Definition 20); posts and other means of supporting such a fence ordinarily should not be regarded as ob­ structions. We recommend that the local committee publish a local rule stating that the concrete bases of the fence posts are not obstructions. If it were ruled otherwise, inequities and confusion could arise from the fact that, under Rule 31-2, relief would be available from the concrete bases but would not be available from the fence and its posts. BALL RESTING AGAINST FLAGSTICK USGA 59-29 Q: One of our players chipped a ball onto the green. It came to rest against the flagstick. The player ran up, pulled the flagstick, and the ball came out with the flagstick. Her opponent told her to putt it out, which she did. She must count the putt, but does she have to add a penalty? Question by: Mrs. Rinda J. Sturgis Canton, Ohio A: We understand that the ball as it rested against the flagstick did not lie within the circumference of the hole and all of it was not below the level of the lip of the hole; it therefore was not holed —see Definition 4. We further under­ stand that the player, in pulling the flag­ stick, moved the ball. Since the flagstick is an obstruction (Definition 20), Rule 31-1 would govern and there would be no penalty. The ball must be replaced on the lip of the hole. If the ball had fallen into the hole with the removal of the flagstick, the player would be considered to have holed on his last stroke (see Rule 34-4). CONSTRUCTION WHICH IS PART OF THE COURSE USGA 60-28 Q.l: Under the definition of obstruc­ tions as revised for 1960, “any construc­ tion which is an integral part of the course” is not an obstruction (Definition 20c) and Rule 31 gives no relief from it. Please point out the difference between such construction and artificial objects erected on the course which are still classed as obstructions. 22 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 A.l: Construction which is an integral part of the course refers primarily to such things as retaining walls used to shore up the bank of a water hazard or the side of a teeing ground. The playing problem presented by such a wall would be substantially the same whether the area were covered with turf or with masonry; the fact that it is covered with masonry does not justify relief from it under the rule for obstructions (Rule 31-2). The same is true of concrete beds of water courses which serve to prevent erosion. Obstructions still include artificial ob­ jects such as water outlets; covers for water outlets, whether they be made of w’ood, concrete or metal; drain tiles; pipes; drinking fountains; and shelters. There has been no change in the classifi­ cation of such items. The local committee should publish its determination of the status of doubtful obstructions. BRIDGES, ABUTMENTS AND PIERS Q.2: Definition 20c provides that “Bridges and bridge supports which are not part of water hazards are obstruc­ tions.” Consider a metal bridge that starts at the edge of a fairway and crosses a water hazard. Against each bank of the watei* hazard the bridge is supported by a vertical concrete abutment which serves the additional purpose of being a retaining wall to shore up the bank of the water hazard and prevent it from cav­ ing in. Between the two abutments the bridge is supported by several wooden piers in the water hazard. Please explain whether the bridge, the abutments and the piers are obstructions. A.2: The bridge and the piers are ob­ structions. The abutments are not ob­ structions since they are integral parts of the water hazard, and free relief may not be had from them. Questions by: Mrs. Polly Erickson Madison, Wis. RELIEF FROM TWO OBSTRUCTIONS USGA 59-43 A: As the ball lay within the confines of the shelter, Rule 31-2 permits the player to lift the ball without penalty and to drop it within two club-lengths of that point on the outside of the obstruc­ tion nearest which the ball originally lay; the ball must come to rest not nearer the hole than its original position. If the concrete water fountain inter­ fered with the player’s stance, stroke or backswing either before or after the player took relief from the shelter, the player was entitled to further relief from the fountain, under Rule 31-2. The word “outside” as used in Rule 31-2 means, with respect to an obstruction such as an open shelter, the vertical plane formed by a downward projection of the outer limits such as the roof edge. See Definition 20 regarding obstruc­ tions. (1) GRAVEL PATHWAY IS NOT OB­ STRUCTION (2) STEPS OF ARTIFICIAL MATERIAL ARE OBSTRUCTIONS USGA 60-38 Q: We have recently constructed gravel pathways leading away from the edge of certain greens. In some cases there are steps constructed. The question arises as to the proper framing of a local ruling to permit a free lift for a ball lying (a) on the gravel path and (b) on one of the steps. Would you let us have your sug­ gestion? A: (a) We do not recommend a local rule giving relief from gravel pathways. Among things not considered obstructions are “artifically constructed roads and pathways anywhere.” See Definition 20. (b) Steps made of artificial material, not located within a hazard, are obstruc­ tions and relief is provided under Rule 31-2. Therefore, a local rule is not neces­ sary. Question by: Raymond Happel East Norwalk, Conn. Q: A ball came to rest within the con­ fines of an open-walled shelter house. There was a concrete water fountain near the shelter. Where may the player drop his ball in conformance with Rule 31-2? Question by: Norman Butler Dayton, Ohio TEE MARKERS: WHEN CONSIDERED OBSTRUCTIONS USGA 59-32 Q: A player plays from the tee and the ball contacts a tee marker. There is no Rule to prevent the player from remov­ ing the tee marker in playing so long as USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 23 it comes within the meaning of immova­ ble obstruction under Rule 31-2. Is this correct? Question by: Seiichi Takahata Osaka, Japan A: Tee markers must always remain in place while all members of a group are completing their play from a teeing ground. However, after all play from a teeing ground has been completed, tee markers may be treated as movable obstructions in accordance with Definition 20 and Rule 31-1. Tee markers of a hole other than that being played may also be treated as movable obstructions. Any tee markers moved under this interpretation should be immediately replaced after the stroke has been completed. BALL IN BIRD’S NEST IN ROUGH USGA 58-20 Q: A player’s ball came to rest in a bird’s nest in the rough. He feels that he is entitled to a drop according to Rule 32-1 but the Rule does not specify a bird’s nest. Will you please give a ruling? Question by: John Barnum Belmont, Mich. A: The nest should be regarded as an immovable obstruction and the ball drop­ ped under Rule 31-2. OBSTRUCTIONS: NO RELIEF IF STROKE UNNECESSARILY ABNORMAL USGA 60-12 Q: Rule 31-2—May a referee or a com­ mittee determine whether an artificial ob­ struction interferes with a stroke? For example, a player’s ball was 38 inches from a water pipe which was exposed about three inches above the ground. The player demonstrated with a weird and highly unorthodox follow-through that he could hit the pipe. The referee would not allow the player any relief because he felt the player wanted relief from a tree and a large stone which interfered with the flight of the ball. The player contended that the referee had no right to question the manner in which he intended to swing. Who was correct? A: The purpose of Rule 31-2 is to pro­ vide relief if immovable artificial ob­ jects interfere with the stance, backswing, or stroke in the direction in which the player desires to play. It is a question of fact whether inter­ ference exists. In event of a question, the Committee (or referee if there is one) must decide. Their decision is final. See Rules 11-2 and 11-3. In the case you cite, it would appear that the player could claim interference only through employment of an unneces­ sarily abnormal stroke. He was therefore not entitled to relief. Relief is not provided for interference with the flight of the ball. Question by: Robert H. Elliott Manchester, N. H. MEASURING ACROSS OBSTRUCTION USGA 61-9 Q.l: What is meant by the following provision in Rule 31-2: “The player may not measure through the obstruction?” Does this mean that a ball at rest along­ side a water pipe, which runs along about two inches above the ground, must be dropped only on the side of the pipe on which it lies? A.l: No. In this case the player would be measuring across the obstruction, not through it. A player may measure across an obstruction where it can be done readily as in this case or, for example, in the case of a drain cover or a hydrant of normal size. MUST MEASURE IN STRAIGHT LINE Q.2: A player’s ball comes to rest against a side of a small enclosed shelter house three feet long on each side. He wishes to invoke Rule 31-2. If he drops two club-lengths away in a straight line, he will be dropping in an unplayable area of dense underbrush, regardless of the direction in which he measures. The area opposite an adjacent side of the shelter house is void of underbrush. The player cannot drop around the corner into this area without measuring through the obstruction unless it be permissible for him to measure one club-length paral­ lel to the side on which the ball lies and then measure a second club-length at a 90-degree angle to the first. Would it be permissible for him to do this? A.2: No. A player must always measure in a straight line when obtaining relief from an obstruction. Questions by: J. Walter McGarry Vero Beach, Fla. 24 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 THE GOLF COURSE WORKER — TRAINING AND DIRECTION The USGA Green Section conducted its fifth annual Educational Program at the Biltmore Hotel, New York City, on January 27. The Chairman was William C. Chapin, Chairman of the USGA Green Section Committee. Ten papers dealing with as many phases of managing golf course personnel were presented throughout the day. Excerpts from four of the morning session papers are printed on the following pages. Edwin Hoyt, Northeastern Chairman of the USGA Green Section Committee, served as moderator of the morning session. The Scientific Approach To Management By DAVID LILLY Member, USGA Green Section Committee, and Chairman, Green Committee, Somerset Country Club, St. Paul, Minn. The central problems facing golf courses today are ever increasing costs on the one hand, and more intensive usage on the other. The latter compounds the former. Figures show that, on the aver­ age, 70 per cent of the total golf course maintenance budget is spent on salaries and wages. In view of this large expense item, let us ask this question: Does the superin­ tendent spend enough time and effort training himself in the area of labor management? I am afraid not in all cases; yet, I think you will agree with me that it will be only through improving effi­ ciency in management that our golf courses, parks, and school grounds will be able to maintain their quality of serv­ ice without substantial increases in their budgets. Management is the art of getting things done through people. The professional manager, like the physician, combines science and intuitive judgment in the practice of his profession. The use of science in management as we know it today need not, and must not, be con­ fined to the management of industrial plants. “It won’t work here!” and “We’re different!” is an admission of failure to be progressive, and to admit that yours, or any other organization, is not being run in the most efficient manner. Cer­ tainly, individual cases are unique, and solutions, of course, vary from organiza­ tion to organization, but sound manage­ ment principles are not unique, and their application should not be limited to the factory! Historically, the profession of manage­ ment is very old. The sciences supporting the profession, however, date back only to the last decades of the nineteenth cen­ tury. While considerable misunderstand­ ing will always exist concerning the place of science in management, we can readily USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT; APRIL, 1961 25 understand how ineffectual the medical profession would be without the benefit of a scientific approach to their problems. In its simplest terms, a scientific method may be any method that applies a logic of effective thinking, based on ap­ plicable science, to the solution of a par­ ticular set of problems. Such a method is applicable in an “exact” science, as in the case of the physical sciences, or in an “inexact” science as in the social sciences. Professional management in solving business problems merely com­ bines the logic of effective thinking with the facts gathered by the scientific ap­ proach. It differs from traditional man­ agement in the manner in which decisions are made, i.e., decisions made under pro­ fessional management are based on facts developed by a studied approach, as con­ trasted to predicating decisions primarily on opinions, prejudices and unsound rules of thumb. Management, as a function in an or­ ganization, plans, coordinates, motivates and controls the efforts of others so that the entire organization moves toward specific objectives. It follows then, in the case of a golf course that management is a function of executive leadership in golf course operations. The managerial func­ tions (of the superintendent) involve planning, coordinating and controlling the activities of others in accomplishing the organization’s objectives, within the framework of the policies set up by the club. If one were to summarize, in as few words as possible, the nature of the management function, perhaps the best reply would be “ decision making.” De­ cision making itself is simply the selec­ tion of one alternative from a group of two or more alternatives. Among this group can be found the alternative of maintaining “status quo.” This possibility should not be underrated, for this, in some cases, may be the best solution. The number of alternatives available, of course, is limited only by the imagination and resourcefulness of the analyst—the manager. Note: The foregoing paragraphs are ex­ cerpts. The full text of Mr. Lilly’s paper appeared in the August 1960 issue of USGA Journal. Importance of the Superintendent in Training and Direction of Workers By DR. GENE C. NUTTER Member, USGA Green Section Committee, and Executive Director, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Jacksonville Beach, Fla. A watch is one of the most marvelous and useful instruments of mankind. It commands a position of pivotal im­ portance in this unique age when time is considered our fourth dimension. In a way, this delicately integrated, com­ plexly mechanical organized system acts as the hub of our world—and yet how much we take this essential instrument for granted. On the other hand, this same marvelous mechanism, when disorganized, dissem­ bled, torn apart and no longer meshed, is of no value to society. All of its jewels, balance wheels and working gears have no value per se. It is the organization of these various and specialized parts which give value to the watch. So it is with the role of the superin­ tendent in golf course operations. The most beautifully designed architecture, the most extravagant clubhouse, the most verdant grounds, the biggest name profes­ sional or the most famous membership will not long enjoy these advantages un­ less they have also employed a profes­ sional golf course superintendent to in­ sure the useful longevity of their facili­ ties— and their golfing pleasure. The golf course superintendent, like the watch, is often taken for granted. But, also like the watch, he is the real hub of a golf course facility. Social activities can thrive in town clubs, hotels and restaurants. Yachting clubs can enjoy their activities on the natural waterway of our fortunate land. But gentlemen, a golf course, despite pub­ lic viewpoint, is not a natural asset. A putting green e.g. is the most advanced and intensive agriculture production known. Only a well trained qualified 26 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 superintendent can maintain the delicate balance between successful grass produc­ tion on the golf course and the adverse effects of the increasing demands of golf. Furthermore, the problems of golf course management are increasing, as evidenced by spiraling interest in golf, the rushing increase in golf cars, and the economic problems of higher cost of labor, sup­ plies and equipment. A Special Vocabulary Turf-grass technology has advanced rapidly since World War II. Evidence of this is the specialized vocabulary of the modern golf superintendent which in­ cludes such terms as systemic herbicides, broad spectrum and antibiotic fungicides, pelletized and controlled nitrogen release fertilizers, gaseous soil sterilants, cal­ cined clay soil structural amendments, poly-cross bentgrasses and tensiometri- cally controlled irrigation systems. Indus­ try and turf research institutions have made this development possible. But, only the qualified, professional superintendent can combine these tools with his knowl­ edge of soils, biology, grasses, ecology, business management and labor manage­ ment to provide the high quality golf facilities demanded of our age. Thus, I am pointing out indirectly that the superintendent is the focal point of golf facilities. It follows then, that he must also be the focal point in the train­ ing and direction of his workers, because the sum total efforts of his workers re­ flect and become the products of his leadership, technical ability and manage­ ment efficiency. It logically follows also, that factors which decide the selection, management and attitude of the super­ intendent—decide or at least have some bearing on, the selection, quality and per­ formance of his workers. Three Serious Problems Three serious problems face our golf course superintendents—andGCSAA, as the “Voice of the Superintendent.” While these problems are not directly concerned with training and directing workers, they definitely and consequently affect this aspect of the superintendents’ work be­ cause they have a strong influence on the kind of help available for golf course work, on the working facilities and con­ ditions, and in the final analysis, on the kind of superintendents. These problems are: 1. To create an awareness by golfers and club members of the problems and ramifications of golf play and player habits on turf condition and golf course maintenance operations. Golf Cars Affect Turf The use of golf cars is increasing and every phase of golf is now looking on cars with renewed interest and with keen an­ ticipation of increased revenue. Yet, in all of this enthusiasm, no one seems con­ cerned with the effect of cars on turf wear and tear—a definitely established problem. In northern areas, later and later fall play has conflicted with standard main­ tenance practices essential to root re­ newal of the turf and reconditioning for the following season. Many other such problems could be cited. There is no question that it is the super­ intendent’s responsibility to educate his members to these facts. Neither is there any question that the superintendent should shift his practices to the interest and desires of his members. However, there are limits to the adverse effects that grass as a biological organism will tolerate. On some courses and under some conditions these limits are rapidly being approached, and future trends and pres­ sures of the game are increasing the rate of this decline. 2. The general lack of knowledge and recognition of the role of the golf course superintendent in golf. This relates to the first problem, but has the direct effect of influencing the kind and number of men attracted to the superintendents’ profession. Because of his behind-the-scenes role, it has been difficult for the superintendent to gain professional recognition or status, even though his work requires knowledge of many biological disciplines, practical en­ gineering, business management techni­ ques and an increasing demand for pub­ lic relations and administrative ability. This thwarted recognition of the real superintendent and his profession has prevented qualified young men from be­ coming superintendents. They are either unaware of this really attractive and chal­ lenging profession, or they shy away be­ cause of the unfavorable concept of the USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 27 work, or the unattractive wages. This problem affects golf club operations and golfers, and any help from the other quarters of golf will be an assist—not just to the superintendent—but to the game. Again, this problem affects the train­ ing and direction of golf course workers because it influences the kind and quality of available help. 3. The problems of securing and training qualified, professional superin­ tendents. Here lies one of the real challenges of the superintendent, his profession and our Association. It is a problem so basic and vital that it must be solved before we can logically or intelligently talk about training or directing workers. Replacements Needed This problem is driven home in stark realization when we point out certain statistics. The majority of our leading superintendents come out of the grand old golfing era of the ’20s and ’30s and are now rapidly approaching retirement. Their average age well exceeds 50 years. Very few men entered golf course work during the depression, none during the war years, and few thereafter, until the mid ’50s. Consequently, we do not have an adequate reserve of trained superin­ tendents to replace the anticipated 300 yearly retirements. Add to this the 200- 300 new golf courses constructed an­ nually that must secure qualified super­ intendents, and we can forsee 500 vacan­ cies per year. Where do we get qualified replacements? From our colleges, we would like to tell you, because it is true today, and will be more so tomorrow, that the successful golf course superintendent be a college educated man. Some of our most promis­ ing men today have postgraduate degrees because it is very difficult to squeeze in­ to the normal four-year college curricu­ lum enough of the wide range of subject matter required for professional super­ intendents’ schooling. However, the ad­ vanced degree is not necessary, if the undergraduate program is well designed, and if the student will supplement this schooling with night school and corres­ pondence courses and other self aides. On top of this college study the trainee must build practical experience in golf course management and the art of golf course grooming. Then, if he is diligent, ener­ getic and productive, he is in position to become an outstanding, professional su­ perintendent. Few Turf grass Graduates Where, then, do we stand on the num­ ber of college graduates in turfgrass management? In 1960 there could not have been more than 50 graduates in turf from all of the colleges and universities in the U. S. Of these graduates, many went into phases of the turfgrass indus­ try other than golf. So, you see quickly the gravity of our problem, and if you are far-sighted, you can visualize the impact on golf. We are indeed fortunate to have great help and support from the Green Section, which initiated our earliest advance in turf­ grass technology and has striven always to improve our knowledge. However, the problems I have discussed here are prob­ lems that the superintendent himself must solve. An Educational Program GCSAA is moving to improve this situa­ tion by developing a three-pronged edu­ cational program consisting of: (1) scholarship promotions for undergraduate students, (2) educational programs, such as our Annual International Turfgrass Conference opening next week in Toron­ to, which are designed to advance the knowledge and professional level of our superintendents and to keep them abreast of the rapidly moving technology, and (3) correspondence courses, now under development, to reach worthy and in­ terested men unable to continue their training at colleges. As we work to solve our problems, we reiterate that we recognize our respon­ sibility to our own profession and to golf. We emphasize our desire to move ahead as rapidly as possible. At the same time, we enlist the understanding, the patience and the assistance of all departments of golf. Only through the solution of the three basic problems will we really answer the secondary needs of training and directing help. And, only by making you, as golfers, aware of these problems can we solicit and encourage your help. It has been my intent and my privilege to review these problems with you today. 28 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 Daily Planning And Programming Of Work By TOM LEONARD Member, USGA Green Section Committee, and Superintendent, River Oaks Country Club, Houston, Texas One of the more important factors of training and directing the golf course worker is the daily planning and pro­ winter. In the South, this is the time for over-seeding greens, tees, and other areas for winter months. gramming of work by the golf course superintendent. To do only daily plan­ ning and programming on a golf course would be like a broad jumper who jumped without first making a run to the pit. Let us back up and make a run at this sub­ ject by starting with the planning for the entire year. Yearly Planning In the year’s planning, set up tentative schedules for new construction, fertiliz­ ing, cultivating, weed control work, etc. Plan the program for the greens, tees, fairways, and roughs into a chain of events, remembering the old saying, “a chain is no stronger than its weakest link.” The work on a golf course is a never ending chain made of links of work activities. These links must be strong to get work completed efficiently and effectively, to use labor and material to their greatest advantages, and to help offset the high cost of maintenance. Seasonal Planning Winter: Fertilizer use is less in the winter than in other seasons. Less time is spent mowing fairways, tees, greens, or roughs. Plans must be made for tree plantings, to clean up unsightly areas, to replenish sand in bunkers, to trim trees, to repair and rebuild equipment, and to do the many other “off season” jobs. The winter can easily be your most important season because it gives one a chance to repair worn links from the preceding year, and an opportunity to plan on start­ ing the new year with a strong chain. Spring: Plan for fertilizing, cultivating, topdressing, mowing, seeding, or sprig­ ging worn areas, etc. Make plans, but wait until proper weather conditions exist be­ fore going into action. An impatient, too early start can weaken links in the chain at the beginning of the year. Summer: Try to be in position to settle down to the general maintenance prac­ tices of mowing, spraying, watering, fer­ tilizing, trimming, etc. Fall: Continue regular maintenance and make adjustments in preparation for Monthly Planning In the monthly program, plan work links around golfing activities. Most country clubs have numerous special tournaments during a year. If special events are planned, it is very important to the members to have the course in good condition during that time. Edging bunkers or fertilizing fairways on a day of a tournament is bothersome to players. Plan these jobs earlier and have them completed so that fairways, greens, and tees are at their peak of condition for these events. Have bunkers edged and cleaned before the tournament, not dur­ ing it. Have your greens mowed before the play starts. Weekly Planning Consider normal circumstances in weekly planning of work. Plan spray schedules for greens, tees, and other areas. Plan for every day maintenance. Daily Planning Ten points important to daily planning and programming of work are worthy of your consideration: 1. Have an assistant or a foreman with whom you can go over the activities that are planned for the day. After a day is completed, go over its operations and dis­ cuss in detail the plans for the next day. Be sure the program is understood ex­ actly. Be sure he knows the plans for carrying out jobs. It is important for some one other than the superintendent to be fully acquainted with the plans, be­ cause in many instances work could be interrupted by visitors such as salesmen, members, friends, or even chairman of the green committee, or the superin­ tendent may be gone from time to time to meetings such as this one, and the work must go on. It would not be very impressive if all workers stopped work­ ing and started waiting for instructions because the green committee chairman dropped by to talk about how a project was getting along. 2. Plan daily maintenance so the work will least interfere with play. Jobs that USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 29 may interfere with play can be per­ formed when play is light. Cultivate on days when the club is closed or when play is light. 3. Plan your work so that larger opera­ tions can be started and completed in a reasonable length of time. Do not have so many projects ‘open’ that it becomes impossible to complete any of them. The day of the torn up golf course is over. 4. Listen to the weatherman. There is no need to plan to topdress greens or spray herbicides on fairways when the weatherman predicts rain. If inclement weather is forecast, and you know it, you have a chance to revise your program, or to put an alternate program in effect. Have some inside work planned for ex­ treme weather. 5. Place employees on jobs where their abilities, desires, and interests can be used to the greatest advantage. Study employees abilities to be able to do cer­ tain jobs better than others. Learn which jobs each employee prefers to do and use him there when possible. 6. When a man proves he can do a job correctly, keep him on that particular job when possible. Example: Have regu­ lar greens cutters. Have an alternate to be used as a standby in case a regular can’t be at work. Under this system an employee learns the job better because he is doing it over and over. I don’t mean by this that a man should know only one operation. Your employees should be trained to do every phase of work so they can fill in on any job at any time needed. Daily work should be so routine to em­ ployees that you should only have to brief them on the jobs to be carried on, and never have to ask the fairway cutters to mow clockwise, counter clockwise, or across, nor a bunker man to cross rake the sand. They should know their jobs and do them correctly. 7. Plan an alternate daily program. Many work days are interrupted by the weather, equipment breakdowns, or sick­ ness of employees. An alternate program should be planned. 8. On daily jobs, such as mowing greens, have a list of work items that you expect your employees to follow. The employees will learn that jobs are to be carried out in certain ways and these daily jobs will become routine easier and quicker. Here is an example of a list for greens mowing: ( 1) Pole dew from the green. ( 2) Watch for spikes from shoes, rocks, coins, etc. ( 3) Remove flagstick from the hole and leave by mower trans­ port wheels. ( 4) Start on one side of the green —not through the center. ( 5) Mow in a different direction each day. ( 6) Do not allow basket to “run over” with clippings. ( 7) Carry clippings to designated place when basket becomes full. ( 8) Mow at a normal pace—never overspeed the mower. ( 9) Turn the mower slowly enough so as not to lose control or bump back into a green. (10) Mow outer circle of green last. (11) Pole the green of any clip­ pings that may have been dropped by the mower. (12) Replace the flagstick. (13) Always use wheels to trans­ port. (14) Clean equipment before stor­ ing. Greens cutters under this operation know what is expected of them and will take pride in doing a good job. Have similar lists for other operations that are carried out regularly. 9. Inform your employees: Don’t keep your employees in the dark from lack of knowledge. Give them as much informa­ tion about your plans as possible. There is no way that knowledge to your em­ ployees can hurt your operation or your position. The more an employee knows about a piece of equipment, the better he will be able to operate it. The more an employee knows about a golf course and its operation, the better he can do his job for you. He will learn to observe the golf course and report to you things such as broken limbs, leaking water fountains, heel prints on greens, etc. You should show your appreciation to employees for such help. The more your mechanic knows about a piece of equipment, and its application, the more apt he is to make it perform perfectly for its job. Your em­ ployees can answer many questions from 30 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 members if they have a general knowl­ edge of your program on the golf course. This knowledge also raises the morale of your employees, and gives them a feeling of more security on the job. 10. Safety must be listed as one of our more important links when we consider the golf course workers. Constant remind­ ing of safety precautions to an employee shows your interest in him and his wel­ fare. There are many important links in the chain of daily planning. The superin­ tendent who gives attention to every link will build the strongest possible chain of management practice. Training the New Worker By WILLIAM H. BENGEYFIELD Western Region Director, USGA Green Section Since this is the age of “Do it Yourself,” I am going to attempt to put you to work both physically and mentally—and thereby avoid having to work too hard myself. You can see that this is going to be an unorthodox presentation. You are in for a treatment rather than a treat. When it is all over, however, I hope that the experience will be a memorable one and perhaps, because of it, you will have a greater insight to the emotions and feelings of the new worker on a rather important day in his life—his first on a new job. We are going to attempt some very simple projects and I will need your full interest, co-operation and participation if this undertaking is to prove to be worth­ while. A Simple Project Each of you should have three of the 5x8 cards normally used for office in­ dexing. Now, the first project that I ask is for everyone to take one of your index cards and make one of these simple paper boxes exactly like the one I hold in my hand. It is a very simple box made from a flat piece of paper similar to the one you will use. With this audience of above average intelligence, we will surely have no difficulty in solving this fourth grade problem. Incidentally, this is a leakproof box as there are no cracks in the bottom or on any of the box sides. All of the edges of the paper are at or above the top level of the sides of the box. O.K. now, please, everyone take a few minutes to make one of these boxes. Your co­ operation is desperately needed as the rest of my presentation depends upon your making such a box right now. (One minute pause) Well, I can see that things are not go­ ing too rapidly on this first project so let’s have a brief word of explanation. Now if you will all stop your present work, I will show you very briefly how to make this box so that we can proceed. Instructions First, let’s take a new sheet of paper. This should be folded into three equal parts. This is done in width as well as in depth of the paper. Now, in the upper left hand square that has been formed by these folds, all you need do is fold from the center of the left hand margin to the lower right hand corner of this upper left hand square. Repeat this on all four corners. Very simple—it’s simply a fourth grade problem. Now, if you will complete your box as rapidly as possible we can go on to the next project. I am surprised that this room of men who have been very success­ ful in a number of fields of endeavor (in­ cluding turf grass management) are hav­ ing so much difficulty with this very simple problem. Let’s apply ourselves and move forward to the next project. Here is the box. It was made from the same type of paper that I asked you to make yours from. It was done right here before your eyes. It is a leakproof box with all of the paper edges at or above the top level of the box. There is no need to tear the paper as this is a simple fold­ ing operation. (Several moments delay) Well, let’s all stop our work again and see if we can’t get together on this very simple undertaking. There is not a great deal of mental or physical skill required and yet something has obviously gone wrong. Why didn’t this work out? USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 31 A. You have never been exposed to this type of work before. B. Speed of explanation. C. Terminology used. D. Mirror effect. E. No motivation. F. Poor physical relaxation in this room. G. There was not a “successful en­ vironment.” All right, let us correct as many of these reasons as we possibly can and put to­ gether one of these simple boxes. Before taking the third piece of paper, let me try to develop your interest or motiva­ tion in this undertaking. After all, you should know what these boxes are good for, if anything. Well, the terminology and correct name for this type of box is a “Painter’s Box.” Painters use them quite frequently I am told, when they are doing field work such as painting signs along the road, on store fronts, etc. This simple box holds paint indefinitely; it is leakproof; the paint cannot run out; and it gives the painter an opportunity to mix paints for a particular tone or shade that he may desire without having to use a lot of extra equipment. After it has been used, it may be easily destroyed and no cleaning or great expense has been involved. Now if you are not a painter, this box may still come in handy as it could be used in a meeting such as this one for an ash tray if one is not provided. It could also be used on camp­ ing trips as a cup or small container. If nothing else, you can amaze your friends, the wife and the children tonight by your ability to make a cup from a. flat piece of paper that is absolutely leakproof at least until the paper disintegrates. Now, let’s all take the third sheet of paper and we will slowly go through a complete explanation that, in the end, you will find very simple. As we did in the beginning, fold the piece into three equal parts in width as well as in depth. Then, starting with the upper left hand square, fold the paper from the center of the left paper margin to the lower corner of the top left square. In this manner repeat this on the other four corners. After completion, fold the ends into place. And finally, fold the flap down to lock the cup together. In the last several minutes, I have tried to reverse tables on you. You have been put in the subordinate’s place. Exactly the same position that a new worker faces in a totally unfamiliar job. You have ex­ perienced some of his emotions and feel­ ings. When we first started the project, there seemed to be a sense of frustration in the audience and I believe you resented me a bit when I expected you to know how to build one of these boxes without any explanation. They say that “the first step in solving any problem is in recognizing that a problem does exist.” When any of us are exposed to a totally new experience or requirement, regardless of our intelli­ gence, we are in a difficult position and not always “ourselves.” If, in the past twenty minutes, this message has been brought home to you in a forceable man­ ner, then our “do it yourself” visit to­ gether has been a successful one. How many times have you heard peo­ ple say, “I’ve told that fellow a dozen times how to do that job, and still he doesn’t know how.” This shows that someone has done a poor job of training. “Telling” is not instructing. Instructing is telling, plus showing, plus try-out performance and follow-up. Let the worker do the job. Ask him ques­ tions. Let him ask you questions. And be­ fore putting him on his own, make sure that you know that he knows. It is not difficult to be a good instructor. It does require patience, tolerance, tact and an honest desire to “know your people.” Re-check yourself on these points every so often. Most peo­ ple want to do a good job and it is up to you to motivate them and to show them exactly what is expected of them. If you will do this, you will surely succeed along with your new crew. Kollett Joins Green Section Staff James R. Kollett has been appointed a Northeastern Agronomist for the USGA Green Section. Kollett, who was Senior Research Agronomist for the Internation­ al Minerals and Chemical Corp., Chicago, during 1959 and 1960, will assist Alex­ ander M. Radko, the Green Section’s Eastern Director. He will be located at Lipman Hall at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J., one of the six District Offices operated by the Green Section. 32 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 IT’S YOUR HONOR Moose Have Right of Way To The USGA: Our course here at Fort Richard­ son, Alaska, is called “Moose Run Golf Course,” and for a very good reason. The moose do run across it at all times of the day, and our score cards carry the notation that moose and bear have the right of way! The course is run by the Army and Air Force jointly and I believe is considered the best in Alaska. Our season starts about a month after the “breakup” and is short indeed, running roughly from June till mid­ September. But with the long hours of sunlight avid golfers manage to cram a good deal of golf time in that short time. Helen P. Jackson Fort Richardson, Alaska Green Committee Booklet To The USGA: Please send me 100 copies of “A Guide for Green Committee Mem­ bers of Golf Clubs.” I think it is so good that I intend to send it to all members of the Ken­ tucky State Golf Association, even though some of them are members of the USGA. There will be no harm in their having two copies. John Marshall, Jr. Anchorage, Ky. Golf Balls for Veterans To The USGA: I read with interest Miss Margaret Curtis’ article in the Journal about finding golf balls and sending them to a veterans hospital. At the course where I play (Wells College, Aurora, N. Y.) the Professional has been do­ ing this for quite a few years now, and I am sure that he has sent over 1,000 old balls to the Veterans Hos­ pital at Bath, N. Y. Quite a few of the players turn in any balls they find to help out in this good cause. A Player of Golf Two Wonderful Films To The USGA: I would like to compliment you on the two wonderful films: “St. An­ drews, Cradle of Golf” and “The Rules of Golf Etiquette.” The two films were shown after the annual dinner of the New York Coal Trade Golf Association. Our as­ sociation has for years been looking for some excellent films on golf and at long last we have found them. We sincerely hope that the National Edu­ cational Films, Inc. in conjunction with the U.S.G.A. will continue to produce films of this caliber in the years to come. Robert K. Simmons New York, N. Y. Adventure with the Rules To The USGA: A study of the Rules of Golf—a compilation of statutes with their penalties to fit the crime for every infringement—is really an adventure into the land of human nature that is a living thing full of the varieties and variations we are heir to. The mind must ever be plastic. Conclusions we arrived at yesterday have been rejected before the obser­ vations of today. The alembic of change holds more than the average golfer comprehends, and makes the study of the Rules a lifetime occupa­ tion. We must be governed by law and our ruling body has given their best intellect to cover every situa­ tion that comes up. When I played as a young lad it was usually with my elders. This was fortunate. From them I gradually learned and absorbed the true mean­ ing of the game—the spirit it engen­ dered. This is a principle of life and part of man that is invisible. If we did more to cultivate this, many of the present Rules could be discarded and the education of a golfer would grow apace. J. Martin Watson Boise, Idaho USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: APRIL, 1961 33 USGA OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN OFFICERS PRESIDENT John G. Clock, Long Beach, Calif. VICE-PRESIDENTS Clarence W. Benedict, White Plains, N. Y. John M. Winters, Jr., Tulsa, Okla. SECRETARY Wm. Ward Foshay, New York, N. Y. TREASURER Bernard H. Ridder, Jr., St. Paul, Minn. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The above officers and: Fred Brand, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa. William C. Chapin, Rochester, N. Y. Edward L. Emerson, Boston, Mass. Edwin R. Foley, San Francisco, Calif. Harry L. Givan, Seattle, Wash. Hord W. Hardin, St. Louis, Mo. Robert K. Howse, Wichita, Kans. Harold A. Moore, Chicago, III. Eugene S. Pulliam, Indianapolis, Ind. Henry H. Russell, Miami, Fla. GENERAL COUNSEL Philip H. Strubing, Philadelphia, Pa. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Joseph C. Dey, Jr., New York, N. Y. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: P. J. Boatwright, Jr. USGA HEADQUARTERS "Golf House", 40 East 38th Street, New York 16, N. Y. COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN RULES OF GOLF: Wm. Ward Foshay, New York, N. Y. CHAMPIONSHIP: Bernard H. Ridder, Jr., St. Paul, Minn. AMATEUR STATUS AND CONDUCT: Harold A. Moore, Chicago, III. IMPLEMENTS AND BALL: Clarence W. Benedict, White Plains, N. Y. MEMBERSHIP: Edwin R. Foley, San Francisco, Calif. 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: Fred Brand, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa. HANDICAP: Clarence W. Benedict, White Plains, N. Y. Handicap Procedure: Herman M. Freydberg, New York, N. Y. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Harry L. Givan, Seattle, Wash. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Harold A. Moore, Chicago, III. GIRLS' JUNIOR: Mrs. John Pennington, Buffalo, N. Y. MUSEUM: Robert K. Howse, Wichita, Kans. BOB JONES AWARD: Wm. Ward Foshay, New York, N. Y. FINANCE: Bernard H. Ridder, Jr., St. Paul, Minn. NOMINATING: Totton P. Heffelfinger, Minneapolis, Minn. USGA GREEN SECTION EASTERN REGION Northeastern Office: Lipman Hall, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N. J. Alexander M. Radko, Director, Eastern Region James R. Kollett, Northeastern Agronomist Mid-Atlantic Office: 711 West Ave., Jenkintown, Pa. Charles K. Hallowell, Mid-Atlantic Director Southeastern Office: P. O. Box 4213, Campus Station, Athens, Ga. James B. Moncrief, 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 W. Wayne Allen, 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, Calif. William H. Bengeyfield, Director, Western Region WESTERN REGION