Mjvzzed*®’ USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT NATIONAL CHAMPIONS The preeminence of Jack Nicklaus and Mrs. Anne Quast Decker in the 1961 Ama­ teur and Women’s Amateur Championships was such that neither had to play the 18th hole except in the morning round of 36-hole matches. Nicklaus, Amateur Champion as well in 1959, was 20 under par for 138 holes at the Pebble Beach Golf Links. Mrs. Decker, who won the Women’s Amateur in 1958, was 9 under par for 112 holes at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. NOVEMBER, 1961 USGA JOURNAL AHO 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. NOVEMBER, 1961 VOL. XIV, No. 6 Through the Green ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 Jack Nicklaus Dominant As Amateur Field Changes __________ Joseph C. Dey, Jr. 4 Pennsylvania Lowers Caddie Age to 12 ___________________________________________________ 6 Do You Know Your Golf? ___________________________________________________________________ 8 Champion Anne Decker Keeps Golf in its Place _____________________________________ 9 Purposes of Walker Cup Not Clouded by U. S. Wins ________________________________ 11 Americas Cup Remains in the United States ___________________________________________ 13 Newcomers Succeed in Senior Championship ________________ P. J. Boatwright, Jr. 14 A Golf Trip Through the South Seas __________________________________ Allan Brown 15 A Simple Way to Measure Golf Holes ________________________ Norman P. Stevenson 17 Country Club Operations in 1960 ____________________________________ Joseph H. Nolin 19 The Referee: Decisions Under the Rules of Golf _____________________________________ 22 Turf Management ______________________________________________________________________________ 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. Second Class Postage Paid at New York, N. Y., and Pinehurst, N. C. Editor: Joseph C. Dey, Jr. Managing Editor: Frank Hannigan. All articles voluntarily contributed. USGA COMPETITIONS FOR 1962 Championship or Team Match Entries Close Qualifying Rounds Dates of Event Location Open May 2 Local—May 21 “Sectional—June 5 Women’s Open June 13 — June 14-15-16 June 28-29-30 Amateur Public Links ‘May 31 tJune 17-24 July 9-14 Junior Amateur June 27 July 17 Aug. 1-4 (1) Curtis Cup Match — — Girls’ Junior Aug. 3 — Women’s Amateur Aug. 8 — Aug. 17-18 Aug. 20-24 Aug. 27-Sept. 1 C. C. of Rochester, Rochester, N. Y. Amateur Aug. 15 tSept. 4 or 5 Sept. 17-22 Senior Amateur Aug. 29 Sept. 13 (2) World Amateur Team — — Oct. 1-6 Oct. 10-13 Pinehurst Country Club, Pinehurst, N. C. Evanston Golf Club, Skokie, Ill. Kawana Fuji Golf Course, Ito, Japan ** Open Championship: Date of Sectional Qualifying Championships may be changed to Monday, June 4 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. (1) Curtis Cup Match: Women’s amateur teams—British Isles vs. United States. (2) World Amateur Team Championship: Men’s amateur teams. Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa. Dunes Golf & Beach Club Myrtle Beach, S. C. Sheridan Park Golf Course, Tonawanda, N. Y. Lochmoor Club, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. Broadmoor Golf Club, Colorado Springs, Colo. C. C. of Buffalo, Williamsville, N. Y, Beman's Status Clarified In view of inquiries received by the USGA, Deane R. Beman, the 1960 Ama­ teur Champion, has satisfied the Associa­ tion that he personally pays expenses for golf competitions and exhibitions. Question as to Beman’s expenses arose from a statement attributed to him re­ cently in a magazine article to the effect that he receives a “golfing expense ac­ count of some $6,000 per year” from his business partnership. The Rules of Amateur Status basically prohibit an amateur golfer from: “Accepting expenses, in money, or otherwise, from any source other than one on whom the player is normally or legally dependent but excluding an em­ ployer, to engage in: “a. A golf competition or exhibition. “b. A personal appearance as a golfer, including radio and tele­ vision broadcasts, testimonial din­ ners and the like.” There are certain exceptions to this Rule which do not pertain to Beman’s case, including membership in USGA in­ ternational teams, participation in the USGA Amateur Public Links Champion­ ship, and certain college, school and mili­ tary events. Beman has further satisfied the USGA that he conforms with the following USGA ruling: “Business expenses: It is permissible to play in a golf tournament while on a business trip with expenses paid pro­ vided the golf part of the expense is borne personally and is not charged to business. Further, the business involved must be actual and substantial, and not merely a subterfuge for legitimizing ex­ penses when the primary purpose is golf competition.” British Open Penalty Quite a few inquiries have been re­ ceived as to the Rule under which Arnold Palmer was penalized in the 1961 British Open when his ball, in a bunker, moved during his backswing. Rule 27-ld governs in such a situation by providing: “If a ball in play move af­ ter the player has addressed it, he shall be deemed to have caused it to move and shall incur a penalty stroke, and the ball shall be played as it lies.” Under Definition 1, a player in a bunker has “addressed the ball” when he has taken his stance preparatory to making a stroke. Open Exemptions Broadened Exemptions from all qualifying in the Open Championship will be available to the ten leading money-winners in the official list of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America based on play for one year ending with the PGA tourna­ ment nearest the close of Open Cham­ pionship entries. For the 1962 Open, en­ tries will close May 2. This is an extension of the principle adopted last spring when the USGA ex­ empted the three leading money-winners of the 1961 PGA tour as of May 21. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 1 As in the past, exemptions from all qualifying will be available to the ten lowest scorers and any tying for tenth place in the 1961 Open, exclusive of any of the last five individuals to win the Championship, who are also exempt. The Championship will be preceded by two series of qualifying rounds. For the first series of Local Qualifying, the twenty leading money-winners on the PGA official list will be exempt, as in recent years. The 1962 Open Championship will be played at the Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pa. Rotan and Ruth Pine Valley, that marvelous New Jer­ sey course where some of the greens ap­ pear as oases against a sea of troubles, has a, par of 70 that is known to be al­ most inviolate. When George Rotan, an amateur, scored 70 there in 1922, he set a course record that endured five years longer than George Ruth’s record of 60 home runs. Professional Ed Dudley lowered the course record to 68 in 1939. Tom Jamison, therefore, must have pondered the likelihood of a new amateur record that would stand for 40 years or so when he holed out at Pine Valley with a 69 on July 8 of this year. To do so he had to play the second nine in 31 after starting his round 6-5, the former a re­ sult of four putts. Jamison quickly learned that his record, far from being a monument, did not even exist. Already in at Pine Valley on the same day was George Rowbotham with a 67. This all took place in the first round of the club championship, a 36-hole stroke play competition in which the back tees are used. Rowbotham scored 73 the next day to tie Craig Wood’s 36-hole course record of 140 set in 1938. The record-breaking cards: Par ________ 443 434 54 4—35 Jamison .... 653 533 54 4—38 Rowbotham 443 334 54 4—34 Par ________ 344 435 44 4—35—70 Jamison 333 424 44 4—31—69 Rowbotham 234 445 34 4—33—67 Necessity—The Mother? Golf may eventually rival the automo­ bile as an inspiration for gadgets, gim­ micks and varied appurtenances. Two re­ cent inventions are offered as examples of what the golfer-who-has-everything might expect to find in his stocking next month: (1) A Michigan inventor has noticed that golfers who smoke tend to lay their cigars and cigarettes on the ground when they address the ball. This, he believes, is not only unsantiary but subjects them to possible poisoning by fertilizers and weed­ killers. He has therefore patented a golf smoke tee to be carried in the pocket. The player is meant to poke the tee into the turf and lay his cigarette on a groove provided in the top of the tee. (2) Two Floridians, one a golf profes­ sional and the other a stone mason, have designed a putter that boasts a marble head. The stone mason says “You can’t imagine how much more beautiful it is on the working end of a 20-foot putt.” The creators may be missing a bet in their advertising. The following alter­ nate use might strike a responsive chord: “Readily convertible into a small but tasteful tombstone for those of a self­ destructive bent after three-putt greens.” Interlachen's Anniversary The Interlachen Country Club at Min­ neapolis recently celebrated its 50th an­ niversary. The USGA is pleased to add its greetings to a club which has contri­ buted bountifully to the best interests of golf. Among the historic deeds performed at Interlachen was Bob Jones’ victory in the 1930 Open as part of his Grand Slam. Interlachen was also the site of the 1935 Women’s Amateur Championship and Mrs. Glenna Collett Vare’s sixth tri­ umph in that event. Miss Patricia Ann Berg, an Interlachen member competing in her first USGA Championship, went to the final round that year. USGA Presi­ dent Prescott Bush said at the presenta­ tion ceremony to the 17-year-old girl: “Patty, I don’t know whether to call you a great kid or a noble woman.” History has proved him right in both estimates. 2 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 An Army Game Staff Sgt. Jack R. Lawrence of Rich­ ards-Gebauer Air Base, Mo., qualified for the all-Army tournament in September by playing a sub-par round at his home course. In the opening round of the competi­ tion at Fort Jackson, S. C., tournament officials were somewhat puzzled when Staff Sgt. Jack R. Lawrence scored “some­ thing over 90.” A bit of checking was done. The Army then revealed, with no little embarrass­ ment, that it had issued orders and shipped the wrong Jack R. Lawrence to Fort Jackson for the tournament. "Turf Management" Revision The book “Turf Management,” out of print recently, has been revised and will soon be reissued. Written by Professor H. Burton Musser and sponsored by the USGA, the book is a complete and authori­ tative guide in the practical development of golf course turf. Orders may be placed through the USGA, 40 East 38th Street, New York 16, N. Y.; the USGA Green Section Re­ gional Offices; the McGraw-Hill Book Co., 330 West 42nd Street, New York 36, N. Y.; or local bookstores. The cost is $10. The author, Professor Emeritus of Agronomy at Pennsylvania State Uni­ versity, has recently been named Con­ sultant Agronomist for the American So­ ciety of Golf Course Architects. Tah-Ha-Ga-Su A new course was opened at the Osage Indian Agency reserve at Pawhuska, Okla., this fall. Its name is “Tah-Ha-Ga- Su” which, in the Osage language, means “hits the ball with a club.” NEW MEMBERS OF THE USGA REGULAR Ohio Clearview Par & Birdie Golf Club Lone Cedar Country Club Texas Springfield Golf and Country Club Va. FOREIGN SUBSCRIBER Dominican Santo Domingo Republic Country Club Like The Old Days A local rule at the Bolarum Golf Club, Hyderabad, India reads, “(Hazards) Stones which obstruct a stroke in hazards (usually thrown there by herdsmen ac­ companying cattle grazing over the course and children playing in and around bunkers) may be removed free of penalty, and in this case treated as Loose Impediment under Rule 18 . . . (Free Picks) A ball lying on any of the footpaths, cutcha roads, cattle and cart tracks, in runnels adjoining them, in hoof marks or dung on the course, may be lifted and dropped without penalty.” PGA Honors Padgett Don Padgett has been named the 1961 PGA Golf Professional-of-the-Year. The award, first suggested by former USGA President Richard S. Tufts, is made on the basis of all-around ability and contri­ butions to the game of golf. Padgett is the pro at the Green Hills Golf and Country Club, Selma, Ind. He was three times President of the Indiana Section of the PGA, is a member of three national PGA committees, and has been very active in the conduct of junior golf programs. Necrology It is with deep regret that we record the death of: Ed (Porky) Oliver, of Wilmington, Del., a leading professional golfer since 1939 who was runner-up in the 1952 Open Championship. He played in three Ryder Cup Matches—in 1947, 1951, and 1953. Clinton F. Russell, of Duluth, Minn., one of the founders of the United States Blind Golfers’ Association, who won the world championship for blind golfers in 1941 and 1948. He was awarded the Ben Hogan Trophy in 1957 by the Golf Writers’ Association of America for the example he set in overcoming his dis­ ability. Colin Simpson, of Los Angeles, Calif., a former President of the Southern Cali­ fornia Golf Association and of the Los Angeles Country Club. He served on the USGA Green Section Committee during 1948-57 and on the Senior Championship Committee during 1959-60. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 3 JACK NICKLAUS DOMINANT AS AMATEUR FIELD CHANGES By JOSEPH C. DEY, JR. USGA Executive Director The cast of characters in the National Amateur Championship changes swiftly these days, and the eminence of Jack Nicklaus is emphasized in the pro­ cess. These are dominant impressions of this year’s Championship, played over the magnificent Pebble Beach Links in Cali­ fornia. The first point is proved quickly by statistics: Of the 200 contestants at Pebble Beach— 53 played in the 1960 Champion­ ship and only 23 played in the 1959 and 1960 Championships. The percentage of repeaters seems re­ markably low, even though the tourna­ ment this year attracted a record entry of 1,995. It is evident that the quality of top-flight amateur golf is at a very high level. The Amateur Ideal Further, the rapid turnover is indica­ tive of the amateurism of it all. Ameri­ can amateur golf seems in a most healthy state, as regards quantity, quality and respect for the amateur ideal, especially the rule prohibiting acceptance of ex­ penses generally, which is at the heart of the code. As for Jack Nicklaus, he could hardly be more impressive. At 21, he has taken rank with the best players of the game, professional and amateur, and it is rea­ sonable to expect that his finest years may be before him. He has tremendous length, but is equally dangerous on the putting green as off the tee. Consider some high points of his record: National Amateur Champion in 1959 and 1961; runner-up in the National Open in 1960 with a score of 282; fourth in the 1961 Open with 284; low scorer in the 1960 World Amateur Team Cham­ pionship with a fabulous 269 at the Merion Golf Course. At Pebble Beach, one of the great Jack Nicklaus, the 1961 Amateur Cham­ pion, observes Deane R. Beman, last year’s Champion, on Pebble Beach’s seventh tee during a practice round. courses of the world, Nicklaus played seven matches; he went a total of 138 holes in 20 under par; he had 34 birdies and one eagle; no 6 besmirched his card during the Championship. The runner-up was Dudley Wysong, of McKinney, Texas, and the score in the final was 8 and 6. Wysong was a semi­ finalist two years ago. He has lifted his game a notch or two in the interim and now, at age 22, appears to have a pro­ mising golfing future. Wysong Beat Carr The tournament had a stellar field, in­ cluding all but one of the members of the British and the American Walker Cup Teams. Joseph B. Carr, that delightful Irishman who has won the British title 4 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 USGA FILM LIBRARY “Second World Amateur Team Champion­ ship for Eisenhower Trophy" is a 17 minute film in full color of the competition at the Merion GC last fall which was won by the United States team. Ex-President Eisenhower is shown receiving the American and the Australian teams at the White House. "First World Amateur Team Champion­ ship for Eisenhower Trophy," is a 14-minute, full color, 16mm film of the first World Ama­ teur Team Championship at St. Andrews. Twenty-nine countries compete for the Eisenhower Trophy. "Famous Golf Courses: Scotland," is an 18- minute film in full color. Famous holes were photographed at Troon, Prestwick, Carnous­ tie, St. Andrews, North Berwick and Muir- field. "Walker Cup Highlights," is a 16-minute film tracing the early history and play for the first international golf trophy. Bob Jones, Francis Ouimet and other Walker Cup stars are shown. The latter half of the film is in color. "St. Andrews, Cradle Of Golf," is a 14- minute, full color, 16mm travelogue of his- toric St. Andrews, Scotland, its Old Course i and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club club­ house. "On the Green," a 17-minute, full color, 16mm presentation filmed at the Mid-Ocean Club, Bermuda, illustrates correct procedures under the Rules of Golf governing situations arising on the putting green. "Golf's Longest Hour," a 16mm full color production of W’/a minutes, depicts the clos­ ing stages of the 1956 Open Championship. Filmed at the beautiful Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, N.Y., it shows the eventual winner, Cary Middlecoff, set a target at which Ben Hogan, Julius Boros and Ted Kroll strive in vain to beat. "Play Them As They Lie," a 16mm color production of I6V2 minutes in which Johnny Farrell, Open Champion of 1928, acts as in­ termediary between Wilbur Mulligan, a be­ ginner of unimpeachable integrity, and Joshua P. Slye, a past master in the art of breaking the Rules. The film was made at the Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, N. J., where Farrell is professional. "Great Moments in Golf," lets the viewer see the many interesting exhibits in "Golf House," USGA headquarters in New York, and re-live golf triumphs of the past with many of the game's immortals. The film is a 16mm black and white production and runs 28 minutes. "The Rules of Golf—Etiquette" stresses the importance of etiquette by portrayal of various violations of the code in the course of a family four-ball match. Ben Hogan ap­ pears in several scenes, and Robert T. Jones, Jr., makes the introductory state­ ment. A 16mm color production of 17’/2 minutes. The distribution of pr>ntr is handled by National Educational Films, Inc., 723 7th Ave., New York 19, N. Y., which produced the films in cooperation with the USGA. The rental is $20 per fim; $35 for two; $50 for three; $60 for four and $70 for five, in com­ bination at the same time, including the cost of shipping prints to the renter. Dudley Wysong three times, reached the semi-finals and lost a thrilling match to Wysong, 2 down. The other semi-finalist was Marion C. Methvin, Jr., a college student from Lit­ tle Rock, who was Nicklaus’ victim by 9 and 8. Patton Ousts Beman Deane Beman went down in the second round in defense of his Championship, losing by 2 down to Billy Joe Patton. Two rounds later Patton was ousted by the National Public Links Champion, Richard Sikes, of Springdale, Ark., a college student. And that was the way the Champion­ ship went—one surprise aftei’ another. Amid all the carnage, Nicklaus stood su­ preme. Nicklaus had the same caddie, Al Gon­ zales, who served for Harrison (Jimmy) Johnston when he won the Amateur at Pebble Beach in 1929. This was the fifth USGA event and the third National Amateur at Pebble Beach, thanks largely to the generosity of Samuel F. B. Morse. The magnificent course was a revelation to those who were on their first visit. Charles Evans, Jr., was playing in the Championship for the 49th time, at age 71. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 5 PENNSYLVANIA LOWERS CADDIE AGE TO 12 Survey shows State labor laws vary widely The State of Pennsylvania enacted a law in July which should ease the shortage of caddies there and, at the same time, afford boys 12 and 13 years old the opportunity to work in a whole­ some atmosphere. The law specifically exempts caddies from the State Child Labor Laws which place the minimum age for work at 14. Boys of 12 and 13 are now permitted to carry one bag for one round per day in Pennsylvania. Morton H. Fetterolf, Jr., a member of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives, introduced the bill. Mr. Fetterolf is Presi­ dent of the Golf Association of Philadel­ phia and was a member of the USGA Junior Championship Committee from 1956 until this summer. The law is attracting attention else­ where, particularly in states where there are similar child labor laws and where there is also a shortage of caddies. In some sections the shortage of cad­ dies is acute, but this is not true nation­ wide. These conclusions are based on a USGA survey of golf associations through­ out the United States conducted after the passage of the Pennsylvania bill. Thirty-four associations, with member clubs ranging from New England to the west coast, responded to a questionnaire which asked about state laws concerning the age of caddies, whether there is a shortage of caddies, and if the associa­ tions would favor legislation similar to that enacted in Pennsylvania. Curbs Juvenile Delinquency According to Representative Fetterolf, the bill he introduced “may help in fight­ ing juvenile delinquency in that young­ sters will have an additional opportunity to earn a few dollars under pleasant, healthful conditions rather than lounging on street corners. “Before I introduced this bill, a great many golfers in the outlying towns and Morton H. Fetterolf, Jr. villages throughout the State expressed an interest in reducing the age limit be­ cause they frequently found it very diffi­ cult to get caddies at their clubs over the weekend. I hope this will help to alle­ viate that problem.” There was considerable opposition to the bill, both from governmental sources and from legislators—some unfamiliar with golf—who argued that the job of a caddie is too arduous foi' a 12-year-old. Representative Fetterolf’s story of the passage of the bill may be helpful to those who envision similai’ legislation in other states. His words follow; “It is interesting to know that this bill passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 124 to 66 (106 votes are needed for passage). In the course of its passage, there was considerable debate and certain legislators representing the 6 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 State Department of Labor and Industry fought the bill. “In the course of interrogation, one of our legislators asked me the weight of a golf bag, and I stated that a bag might vary between four and 40 pounds. Of course, the latter weight was accepted as the truth of the matter and from then on an effort was made to bring the weight of a 12-year-old boy down to the weight of the heaviest of golf bags. “An incident occurred during the bill’s passage in the Senate which I should re­ port. A senator friend of mine from Lan­ caster County amended the bill to allow a 12-year-old to caddie for 36 holes a day rather than 18. “I heard of this, and my first impres­ sion was that this was done by the oppo­ sition in an effort to cripple the bill, and I immediately went about finding out which senator introduced the amend­ ment. When I learned it was my friend from Lancaster County, he advised me he thought he was doing me a favor but I suggested that perhaps he might intro­ duce another amendment returning the bill to allow only 18 holes per day. We both agreed that perhaps the passage of the bill would be assured if this was done. It was, and the bill passed the Senate 31 to 18. Former Caddies Vote “Yes” “I am convinced this legislation went through with flying colors against the solid opposition of the State Department of Labor and it is only because 90 per­ cent of the members of both chambers, at one time in their lives, have caddied. This could be called ‘America at its best’.” Of the 34 associations which responded to the USGA questionnaire, the officials of nine answered unequivocally that a caddie shortage exists. Twelve others say there is no shortage. The 13 other associations answered yes or no with qualifications. In some areas there is a need for more caddies once the school year begins. Many associations re­ port that the caddie problem varies ac­ cording to the location of the club. Those in densely-populated zones have less of a problem than clubs situated many miles from metropolitan regions. Fifteen associations reported age re­ strictions similar to those in Pennsylvania before the new law was enacted. Of those 15, 10 indicated they would be in favor of lowering the minimum age for caddies. The Indiana Golf Association reported that caddies are specifically exempt from the state child labor laws. Nebraska’s State Labor Law was amended in May to permit “that a boy under 14 may caddie at a golf course.” It is apparent that in many states where caddies are not exempt from child labor laws, nothing has been done to en­ force the law with respect to caddies. Sleeping Dogs One respondent, in answer to the ques­ tion about the desirability of legislation exempting caddies, replied “no,” with the explanation “let sleeping dogs lie.” The possible danger in this attitude was uncovered by still another state as­ sociation. The law in that state has it that children under 14 may not be permitted to work in any gainful occupation. The practice, nonetheless, is to use younger boys as caddies. A lawyer who was consulted indicated there is only a very remote chance that his State would change its policy and be­ gin to enforce the provisions of the law with respect to caddies since the occupa­ tion is essentially not dangerous and, on the contrary, is generally healthful. He called attention, however, to a defi­ nite problem in the area of tort liability: “If a child was hit by a golf ball even if the caddie is negligent, I think both the golfer who employed the caddie and the club at which he worked would be jointly and seriously liable for the in­ juries and there would be no statutory or common law defense which would stand as a brook to the claim.” He added that the problem might be handled by insurance. Comments Here is a sampling of comments by as­ sociation officials on the caddie situation at their clubs: Iowa: “Electric carts here seem to take up the slack. A good caddie gets $2-2.50 plus a tip. Two men can rent an electric cart for $6. Dallas, Texas: “If a boy is big enough, regardless of his age, he should be al­ lowed to caddie.” Rochester, N. Y.: “The age should not be reduced because 12-year-old boys should not be permitted to associate with USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 7 older boys and men unless a high quality of supervision and guidance exists. We do not believe the average 14-year-old boy can or should carry two bags. Indus­ try would not be permitted to demand the carrying of such a load for such a distance for four hours.” Miami: “Caddying among youngsters in this area is almost nil.” Northern California: “We would favor reducing the minimum age to 13; 13 through 15 years, one bag only; 16 years and over, two bags. It is the expressed opinion that boys under 13 are incapable of doing a good job.” Wisconsin: “Our reason for favoring legislation which would lower the mini­ mum age for caddies to 12 is that in the metropolitan areas many of the boys who start to caddie at the ages of 14 and 15 find more remunerative occupations dur­ ing the summer when they reach the age of 16 and, as a result, we are forced to draw on younger boys to caddie.” Western Golf Association (which has mailed a similar questionnaire to its Member Clubs): “Far and away the big­ gest theme running through the replies in favor of lowering the age minimum to 12 is the growing attrition among older caddies. Many clubs expressed concern because many boys, by the time they are trained as good caddies (age 15-16), drift away from caddying to full-time jobs or at least to jobs paying more than caddying. The turnover seems a real problem. They expressed belief that boys of 12 and 13 (hiring only those with size and strangth to be caddies) would stay longer in caddying.” DO YOU KNOW YOUR GOLF? John G. Clock, the USGA President, re­ cently said that the USGA Golf Handi­ cap System “enables a child to make a fair match with his grandmother.” The system, although used effectively every week-end by children, grandmothers and others at thousands of courses, is fully understood by a minority of players at each club. To better acquaint golfers with correct handicap procedures, this month’s quiz is extracted from “USGA Golf Handicap System for Men,” a booklet that can be obtained at the USGA headquarters at 40 East 38 Street, New York 16, New York, for 25<;. The answers are on page 18. 1. What is course rating? 2. What is the hole rating? 3. A handicap differential is the differ­ ence between a player’s gross score and the par of the course. True or False? 4. A USGA handicap is computed from the lowest (5, 10, 15, 20) handicap differentials of the player’s last (10, 20, 25, 50) rounds. 5. If a player has less than 25 differen­ tials available, may he obtain a USGA handicap? 6. Are scores that include some con­ ceded putts acceptable? 7. May the player record scores for holes in which he has picked up without concession? 8. For what period of time are scores acceptable for handicap purposes? 9. Should the player report scores made on courses away from home? 10. If a player belongs to more than one club and has different handi­ caps, which shall he use when com­ peting with players from more than one club? 11. How often should handicaps be re­ vised? 12. Is a committee justified in granting automatic handicap increases at the start of a playing season or year? 13. Is a committee justified in reducing the handicap of a player who does not turn in all scores? 14. May a committee increase the handi­ cap of a player who has suffered a physical disability? 15. Should handicap stroke play com­ petitions that end in a tie be deter­ mined by a “matching of cards?” 16. Should a club rate its own course? 17. Are scores acceptable for handicap­ ping purposes when “winter rules” or “preferred lies” are in effect? 18. If a player’s handicap is changed after the first round of a two-week tournament should he continue to play with his original handicap? 8 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 CHAMPION ANNE DECKER KEEPS GOLF IN ITS PLACE USGA Women’s Amateur Was Her Third Tournament in a Year It is a mark of an amateur to keep games in their right relation to more fundamental things. The breath of life has been infused into this ideal by Mrs. Jay D. (Anne Quast) Decker. In the year between the USGA Women’s Amateur Championships of 1960 and 1961 she (a) Taught school. (b) Was married (Dr. Decker is a young dentist). (c) With her husband, established a home first in an apartment, then bought a house in Seattle and prepared to live in it, doing some personal wall-painting. (d) Played in only two golf tourna­ ments, one of which she won (the Women’s Western Amateur Champion­ ship). This was keeping golf in its place with a vengeance. It might not seem the best sort of preparation for play in the Na­ tional Championship. But who is to say that it wasn’t good preparation psycholo­ gically? As for preparing her game, Mrs. Decker has always been ardent in prac­ ticing, and in the weeks preceding the Championship she improved the shining hour whenever possible, even retrieving her own practice balls upon occasion. Thus, to those who know the remark­ able character of Anne Quast Decker, it came as no surprise when, in her third Mr. and Mrs. Tom Quast, daughter Anne, and son-in-law Dr. Jay Decker posed for a family portrait after Mrs. Decker won the Women’s Amateur Championship for the second time. The historic trophy was presented to the USGA in 1896 by Robert Cox of Edinburgh, Scotland. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 9 tournament in a year, she won the Na­ tional at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club in her native Washington late in August. Her manner of victory was breath-tak­ ing. She has long been unusually accurate and steady, and is as brilliant a putter as one can be. But she took to Tacoma a longer, stronger game than ever before, thanks in part to earlier goading by pro­ fessional Bud Ward, who had gibed that her old shots “sounded like hitting waf­ fles.” She often got the ball out 220 yards from the tee.. Never Behind Anne Decker was a great Champion at Tacoma. This was an all-match-play tour­ nament of seven rounds, the final being at 36 holes. Mrs. Decker lost only six of the 112 holes she played. She never was behind in a match. She was 9 under par for the week, having 20 birdies. She had only two 6s, both on par 5 holes. Her margin of 14 and 13 in the final over Miss Phyllis Preuss created a record. On the way to the final she de­ feated Misses Judith Torluemke, Sharon Fladoos, Judy Rand, Polly Riley, Mrs. Ruth W. Miller and, in the semi-finals, Mrs. Gaines Wilson, Jr., of Louisville, 5 and 4. All this happened a few days before Mrs. Decker reached her 24th birthday. Now teaching school in Seattle, this very amateur Champion is in the remarkable position of having won the USGA title twice in four years. Miss Preuss, who is 22 and lives in Pompano Beach, Fla., is a much im­ proved golfer this year. She earned her way to the final over some notable vic­ tims, including Miss Elizabeth Price, for­ mer British Champion, after being 3 down at the turn, and Miss Barbara Mc­ Intire, former American and British champion. In the semi-finals Miss Preuss defeated 14-year-old Roberta Albers, of Temple Terrace, Fla., 2 and 1. Miss Albers obviously has great pro­ mise. Among the giants she slayed were Miss Judy Eller, of the 1960 Curtis Cup Team, and Miss Mary Patton Janssen. Miss Albers was the leader of a “youth movement.” The field of 102 included 17 girls under 18 years who played in the Girls’ Junior Championship the preced­ ing week. The defending Champion, Miss JoAnne Gunderson, fell victim in the second round to the new Girls’ Champion, Miss Mary Lowell, of Hayward, Calif. A tee shot on the 19th hole that faded out of bounds was the undoing of Miss Gun­ derson. With Mrs. Decker’s victory, five of the last seven National Championships have been won by young ladies from the vici­ nity of Seattle. The Tacoma Club furnished an excel­ lent test—a tight course of 6,297 yards with par of 73. The Club’s committee, under the Presidency of Charles Low and the Chairmanship of Douglas Gon- yea, provided the warmest possible hos­ pitality. HANDICAP DECISION USGA Handicap Decision 61-1 References: Men—Section 8-1 Women—Section 19-1 Revision of Handicaps: Not Required On Specific Day Status of Scores Made on Day of Revisio When Permissible Between Establish^ Dates for Revision Q: I would appreciate it very much if if you would answer the following handi­ cap questions: 1. Does the USGA require handicaps to be revised on the 20th of each month? 2. If the revision of handicaps has been completed, for example, by 11:30 A.M. on a given day, but scores are received or turned in later that same day, must they be included in the revision? 3. If players request a special revision, before the regular revision day, in order to lower their handicap, should that re­ quest be granted? Questions by: Mrs. Fred L. Gaertner Short Hills, N. J. A: 1. No. The USGA does not require that handicaps be revised on the 20th of each month. See Section 19-1 of The Con­ duct of Women’s Golf for USGA recom­ mendations in this matter. 2. We would think it well to exclude use of scores made on a day of revision unless revision is made after play is over for the day. 3. It would be permissible to revise a player’s handicap prior to the regular re­ vision day if there is a specific reason. For example, a player might request a revision as a courtesy to permit her to enter an outside competition. io USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 PURPOSES OF WALKER CUP NOT CLOUDED BY U. S. WINS British Value the Series Despite One-Sideness If you had won once in 18 games against the same opponent, you might be ready to make a drastic change of some sort. Not so our amateur golfing friends of Great Britain. Although they do not like the repeated results of the Walker Cup series, they have no intention of doing anything but try increasingly hard to im­ prove their standard of play. This is the word left by the Captain of the 1961 Team, Charles D. Lawrie, and two offi­ cials of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Thomas C. Harvey and Gerald H. Micklem. This bespeaks worlds for the British sporting spirit and for the value they place upon the series as a medium of international friendship and of under­ standing between the R&A and the USGA, the representative golfing bodies of the two largest golfing countries. The Walker Cup was instituted for these pur­ poses, and it is refreshing to realize that they have remained constant, and that the winning and the losing have not be­ clouded the main aims. For this year’s Match, these aims were furthered notably by the spirit with which the Seattle Golf Club received the Teams. Never before had the Walker Cup been played for on the West Coast. New views of America were taken away by the visitors, and they could only have been favorable views, for the Club was a magnificant host, under the leadership of Lloyd W. Nordstrom, President; Charles W. Adams, General Chairman; Erv Parent and Byron Lane. It was at the Seattle course that Jack Westland won the National Amateur in 1952, at age 47, and so there was a special gratification for him this year as non­ playing Captain of the United States Team. He was blessed with a strong array of players, as shown by the 11-1 result in September. The course was a real challenge. Only Jack Nicklaus was able to subdue par— in his singles against Joseph B. Carr, he was one under for 32 holes. In a match of the American and Bri­ tish Champions, Deane Beman won over Michael Bonallack, 3 and 2. The British point came on a victory by 21-year-old Martin Christmas, a col­ lege student. He defeated Charles B. Smith. Britain’s plans for the future are likely to include Christmas and another young newcomer, Ronald Shade, 22, of Edin­ burgh. The 1961 British Walker Cup Team (I. to r.): Michael F. Bonallack, David W. Frame, Gordon Huddy, Ronald D. B. M. Shade, Joseph B. Carr, Captain Charles D. Lawrie, Martin J. Christmas, James Walker, Michael S. R. Lunt, Brian H. G. Chapman, David A. Blair. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 11 The 1961 United States Walker Cup Team (1. to r.): Robert E. Cochran, Dr. Frank M. Taylor, Jr., Charles R. Coe, Deane R. Beman, Eugene S. Andrews, Captain Jack Westland, William Hyndman, III, Donald R. Cherry, Robert W. Gardner, Jack W. Nicklaus, Charles B. Smith. 1961 INTERNATIONAL MATCH FOR THE WALKER CUP Held at the Seattle Golf Club, Seattle, Washington September 1 and 2 GREAT BRITAIN UNITED STATES FOURSOMES Points James Walker and Brian H. G. Chapman ____ 0 David A. Blair and Martin J. Christmas ______ 0 Joseph B. Carr and Gordon Huddy ____________ 0 Michael F. Bonallack and Ronald D.B.M. Shade 0 Points Deane R. Beman and Jack W. Nicklaus (6 and 5) _____________________________ 1 Charles R. Coe and Donald R. Cherry (1 up) __ 1 William Hyndman, HI, and Robert W. Gardner (4 and 3) ___________________ 1 Robert E. Cochran and Eugene S. Andrews (4 and 3) ___________________ 1 rotal __________________________________________ 0 Total 4 SINGLES Michael F. Bonallack _______________________ 0 Michael S.R. Lunt ____________________________ 0 James Walker 0 David W. Frame _____________________________ 0 Joseph B. Carr ____ 0 Martin J. Christmas (3 and 2) _________________ 1 Ronald D. B. M. Shade _______________________ 0 David A. Blair ________________________________ 0 Deane R. Beman (3 and 2) ___________________ 1 Charles R. Coe <5 and 4) ______________________ 1 Dr. Frank M. Taylor (3 and 2) _______________ 1 William Hyndman, HI (7 and 6) ______________ 1 Jack W. Nicklaus <6 and 4) ___________________ 1 Charles B. Smith _____________________________ 0 Robert W. Gardner (1 up) ____________________ 1 Donald R. Cherry (5 and 4) ___________________ 1 Total __________________________________________ 1 Total __________________________________________ 7 Grand Total — Great Britain __________________ 1 Non-playing Captain — C. D. Lawrie Grand Total — United States ________________ 11 Non-playing Captain — Jack Westland 12 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 AMERICAS CUP REMAINS IN THE UNITED STATES North American. Neighbors Meet in Mexico There is such great disparity in the size of golf in Canada, Mexico and the United States that a meaningful compe­ tition among them might seem impossi­ ble. Mexico has about 35 courses, of which some six are 18 holes; Canada has 600-odd courses; the United States has more than 6,000. But the differences are narrowed when the three North American neighbors come together in the Americas Golf Cup Match. Their meetings are always ex­ pressive of the remarkable international friendship existing on our continent. This is what the Americas Cup is all about; golf scores take second place, and the game becomes a medium for a more significant interchange. The sixth Match for the Americas Cup was held in October in Monterrey, Mexi­ co; it was excellently presented over the fine course of the Monterrey Country Club, which nestles among beautiful jag­ ged-peak mountains. The course is 7,063 yards long and is a good test. The clubhouse, miraculously built in less than a year, is an architect’s delight. It sits atop an eminence in the center of the course, an almost circular structure of tasteful modern design which cleverly has six greens at its feet. It was a magni­ ficent location for the thrilling flag-rais­ ing and flag-lowering ceremonies which our Mexican friends introduced to golf. Some Close Squeaks As expected, the United States with its wealth of amateur golfing talent has won all six meetings for the Americas Cup. There have been some close squeaks— once our margin was one point, another time two points, and last year P/2 points. At Monterrey, Mexico’s, brilliant youngsters led after the first morning’s three-ball “sixsomes,” with 4% points to 4 for the United States and ¥2 for Cana­ da. But that afternoon the Americans pulled away in three-ball individual play and kept going throughout the second day. The final tally was: United States, 29; Canada, 14; Mexico, 11. All matches were at 18 holes; there were three three-ball “sixsomes” each morning and six three- ball individual matches in the afternoon. The rivalry between Canada and Mexi­ co for second place was keen. After the first day Mexico had 8 points and Canada 4%, and hopes of the hosts ran high, only to be dashed by a strong Canadian rally the second day. Even so, it should be recorded that there has been marked development in the quality of play of Mexico’s repre­ sentatives in the nine years since the series was started. They are almost all young players, and their style of play appears to improve steadily. The Ameri­ cas Cup series has doubtless provided a helpful incentive. For the United States, Deane Beman, Robert Gardner and William Hyndman, III, each won all four possible points in individual play; Charles B. Smith won 33/2. Jack Nicklaus and Dudley Wysong, Jr., swept their four points as an alter­ nate-stroke “sixsome” pair. Nicklaus, our National Champion, halved three of his four individual matches and won the other. Charles R. Coe served as playing Captain, just as he did for the inaugural match in 1952. The Canadian team comprised R. Keith Alexander, Gary Cowan, Ted Homenuik, John Johnston, Bert Ticehurst, Nick Wes- lock, Robert Wylie, with Albert Rolland as non-playing Captain. Mexico’s representatives were Hector Alvarez, Juan Antonio Estrada, Enrique Farias, Roberto Halpern, Tomas Lehman, Rafael Quiroz, Mauricio Urdaneta and Rodrigo Medellin, non-playing Captain. The Americas Cup, presented by the late Jerome P. Bowes, Jr., of Chicago, is normally played for every other year. The date was advanced this year from 1962 to avoid conflict with the World Amateur Team Championship to be play­ ed in Japan next October. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 13 NEWCOMERS SUCCEED IN SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP By P. J. BOATWRIGHT, JR. USGA Assistant Director The rapid turnover of personnel in USGA competitions, an indication of the broad range of quantity and quality of American amateur golf, carried through the Senior Championship this year. Seven men who advanced to the quar­ ter-final round of the 1960 Senior Ama­ teur Championship were on hand at the Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Okla., where the 1961 Championship was staged early in October. Only one of the seven, Richard H. Guelich, Hamburg, N. Y., was able to equal his 1960 per­ formance. Dexter H. Daniels, 56, of Winter Haven, Fla., won the Senior Amateur Champion­ ship on his first attempt. He defeated Col. William K. Lanman, Jr., also 56, of Golf, Ill., in the final match by 2 and 1. Col. Lanman was a first-round loser last year. Michael Cestone, Montclair, N. J., the defending champion, lost in the first round to Herman M. Freydberg, New York City.. With the exception of Guelich, who advanced to the semi-final round, the others who reached the round of eight in 1960 either failed to qualify at Southern Hills or were beaten in the first or second rounds. The finalists, after five days of play under serene weather conditions, were confronted with a wind that blew in gusts up to 35 miles per hour. Daniels, although out in 42, was 2 up. He maintained that lead through the 16th and ended the match by halving the 17th. Joseph Morrill, Jr., Great Barrington, Mass., was the medalist at the site of the Championship with a 74, three over par. Four qualifiers from the Chicago Quali­ fying Round reached the quarter-final round. They were Lanman; George Daw­ son, Glyn Ellyn, Ill.; Ted B. Payseur, Glenview, Ill.; and John W. Roberts, Chi­ cago. The others in the quarter-final round were Daniels; Guelich; Merrill L. Carl- Dexter H. Daniels smith, Hilo, Hawaii; and C. C. Taylor of Durban, Natal, South Africa. Taylor was one of two foreign players who qualified for the Championship. Francis Francis, Nassau, Bahamas, lost in the second round to Payseur. In addition to the Championship Flight of 32, there were four consolation flights of 16 and a consolation stroke play event for all first round losers in which 27 com­ peted. Archie J. Gonzales, Covington, La., won the latter by scoring 81. The final-round results of the consola­ tion flights were: First Flight—Eugene Bellville, Kansas City, Mo., defeated Sydney Goldstone, White Plains, N. Y., 20 holes; Second Flight—Robert M. Moore, Houston, Texas, defeated Col. C. D. McAllister, Orlando, Fla., 6 and 5; Third Flight—Eli P. Wheat, Jr., Over­ land Park, Kans., defeated George D. Wiggins, Albuquerque, N. M., 6 and 5; Fourth Flight—George E. Montague, At­ lanta, Ga., defeated Walter Myers, Brad­ enton, Fla., 4 and 3. The Association is grateful to Harold Lewis, Club President, and W. F. Catlett, General Chairman, and to all the other members of the Southern Hills Country Club for the hospitality extended to the competitors and officials. 14 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 A GOLF TRIP THROUGH THE SOUTH SEAS By ALLAN BROWN Last year the Wandering Browns, of Manchester, Vt., visited that vast area known as the South Pacific. The trip required 6 trips by train, 18 by plane, 15 by car and 12 voyages by sea. It is said that wherever the English­ man travels, he introduces cricket and golf. Well, this is not exactly true, for we followed the trail of one of England’s greatest travelers, the famous Captain Cook. We visited coves and bays where his ship had sought snug harbor. We saw a live tortoise that Captain Cook had pre­ sented to the King of the Tongan Islands in 1777. If I could live that long, I might be able to shoot my age. We saw a ball that he had left on Man­ dalay Island near the Great Barrier Reef along the coast of Australia. It had no mesh marks or dimples, and was much larger than a golf ball. Furthermore, it was made of iron and had the tell-tale marks of having been shot out of a can­ non. There was no evidence among the many relics that Captain Cook introduced golf, so it must have been the numerous Eng­ lishmen who followed in his footsteps. For the golfer who visits this land of romance, there are hundreds of golf courses scattered throughout the South Pacific. Golf on Samoa The majority are in New Zealand, Aus­ tralia and Japan, but there are also courses located in some of the more re­ mote Islands such as the Apia Golf Club on Samoa, the Fiji Golf Club near Suva, etc. Because of limited budgets, these Is­ land courses are maintained in about the same manner as many of our small resort courses. When you visit the more populated areas you will find some real Champion­ ship layouts as, for example, the Christ­ church Golf Club in Shirley, N. Z., the Royal Hobart Golf Club in Tasmania, the Lakes Golf Club near Sydney and the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia. You will also see some strange sights when golfing through the South Pacific. At the Rotorua Golf Club in New Zealand the tee markers on some holes are small active volcanoes, emitting steam and sulphurous fumes. It gives one the im­ pression of playing golf in Hades. The Club House of the Fiji Golf Club is shaped like a mushroom. The greens of the course near Orewa, New Zealand, are surrounded by fences to keep the cattle and sheep off the putting surface. On one of the Islands they have a Sports Club and divide the year into four playing seasons—one for cricket, one for rugby, one for polo and the fourth for golf. All of these sports are played on the same grounds. It takes more than the bottom of the putter to flatten out some of the hoof marks in the greens. On an island in the Tonga Group they play golf around a temple. A convenient place, no doubt, to appeal to the Deity when the ball is in a particularly tough lie. These tee markers at the Rotorua Golf Club in New Zealand are built atop small, active volcanoes. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 15 In Queenstown, N. Z., you can borrow a key to the Golf Club House from the owner of the leading Sports Shop, pay him your green fee, then motor a couple of miles out of town and enjoy the uni­ que sensation of having a nine-hole golf course, club and all, entirely to yourself. At least that was our experience, and al­ though the course itself is not distinctive, the scenery is magnificent. At the Keppel Club near Singapore one must conquer a flight of 200 steps before reaching the Club House. There is no other way to approach it! After this experience I asked if there was an electric cart available. No such luck. As a matter of interest, especially to those of advancing years, motorized carts have not been introduced yet in the South Pacific. There are tote carts be­ cause caddies are scarce and most golfers have to carefully budget their golf ex­ penses. In China and Japan the majority of the caddies are women, and some are sur­ prisingly good golfers. The women also do most of the main­ tenance work on the golf course. Al­ though there is the essence of an idea here for those American clubs having labor problems, I had better not pursue it any further. For the traveler who wishes to enjoy an occasional round of golf, the Islands of the South Pacific offer a great variety of courses at modest cost surrounded by scenic splendor that is equal to any other area of the world. USGA PUBLICATIONS OF GENERAL INTEREST RULES GREEN SECTION THE RULE ABOUT OBSTRUCTIONS, a reprint o£ a USGA Journal article by Joseph C. Dey, Jr. No charge. 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). DUTIES OF OFFICIALS UNDER THE RULES OF GOLF, a reprint of a USGA Journal article that contains a check list of the duties of the referee and other committee members on the course. No charge. HANDICAPPING USGA GOLF HANDICAP SYSTEM FOR MEN, containing recommendations for com­ puting USGA Handicap and for rating courses. Booklet 25 cents. USGA Slide Rule Handicap­ per 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, includ­ ing tournament procedure, handicapping and course rating. 35 cents. COURSE RATING POSTER for certifying hole by hole ratings to a club; for association use, size 8U x 11 inches, 5 cents, $3.50 per 100. 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. HANDICAPPING THE UNHANDICAPPED, a reprint of a USGA Journal article explaining the Callaway System of automatic handicap­ ping for occasional players in a single tourna­ ment. No charge. USGA HANDICAP RECORD FORM, revised in 1961, provides for the listing of 75 scores. It is designed for ease in determining the last 25 differentials from which to select the lowest 10 when more than 25 scores are posted. $3 for 100. A GUIDE FOR GREEN COMMITTEE MEM­ BERS OF GOLF CLUBS, 16-page booklet. 25 cents. GOLF COURSE REBUILDING AND REMODEL­ ING-FACTORS TO CONSIDER, article in USGA Journal by A. M. Radko. No charge. THE GOLF COURSE WORKER—TRAINING AND DIRECTION. No charge. HOW TO MEET RISING COSTS OF GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE, PARTS I & IL panel discussions. No charge. MISTER CHAIRMAN, reprint of USGA Journal article. No charge. WATER USE ON THE GOLF COURSE, panel discussions. No charge. COMPETITIONS PREPARING THE COURSE FOR A COMPETI­ TION, reprint of USGA article by John P. English. No charge. TOURNAMENTS FOR YOUR CLUB, a reprint of a USGA article detailing various types of competitions. No charge. GENERAL 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 or­ ganizing and developing junior golf programs at different levels by the USGA Junior Cham­ pionship Committee. No charge. PROTECTION OF PERSONS AGAINST LIGHT­ NING ON GOLF COURSES, a poster. 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. 16 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 A SIMPLE WAY TO MEASURE GOLF HOLES By NORMAN P. STEVENSON The August issue of the USGA Journal contained an article outlining a pro­ cedure for measuring golf holes.. Anyone the centers. The hole yardage was calcu­ lated from the center of the tee and the green. contemplating the measurement of a course might be interested in a simpler method used recently at the Brook-Lea Country Club, Rochester, N. ¥., where I am chairman of the Green and Grounds Committee. Brook-Lea had not been measured for about 30 years. There was no copy of the original architect’s plan. Many tees had been lengthened to the front; some new tees had been built; one or two new greens had been moved slightly; front tees had been created; and the route of play of one hole was altered. I felt the course required remeasure­ ment and, since we did not have funds available to obtain the services of a pro­ fessional engineer, decided to do the job myself. When I discovered I could not obtain a tape longer than 100 feet I searched for an easier method. Walking Wheel There is a piece of equipment called a walking wheel which is used by contractors and utility companies for measurements. Luckily, I was able to borrow one. This gadget is like a small bicycle wheel with a handle to push it with and is very light. It includes a reset counter which shows the yardage covered. Each revolution measures one yard. The ac­ curacy was checked against a steel tape’s measurements. The walking wheel, of course, will measure only surface and not air dis­ tance. Many of our holes, however, are fairly level with only moderately roll­ ing terrain. These I measured with the wheel from front of the tee to front of the green. The tees and greens were measured with a steel tape to determine Surface measurements will not give you the accuracy of a surveyor, but I think it will be about as accurate as drag­ ging a 100-foot tape 400 yards or so. It takes quite a hill to really affect surface measurements very much.. A hill 50 yards long with a drop of 10 yards in the 50 affects measurement less than a yard. I did not attempt to “wheel” measure any surface drops of more than a few feet in 50 to 100 yards. A few holes still remained that I did not feel could be measured satisfactorily with the wheel. Unable to find a surveyor among the club members and unsuccess­ ful in efforts to borrow a transit and a stadia pole, I again began to ask ques­ tions. Aerial Photos I discovered that the Farm Bureau has very accurate 40 x 40 inch aerial photo­ graphs which scale 400 feet to the inch. Any one can buy one for about $5. The photos of our property are so good that by using a magnifier you can even see the flagsticks on some of the greens. Tees and greens are easily discernable. Using a 3^2 power magnifier, which clips on glasses and leaves both hands free, and a toolmaker’s steel scale, I first checked the photo map’s distance by measuring the club swimming pool which came out exactly to the 75 feet in length that it is. To further check the aerial photograph distances I compared them with the score card distances on holes where there had been no changes since the original sur­ vey as well as with the distances calcu­ lated on the same holes by tape and wheel. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 17 They were remarkably close. One hole, in fact, came out to exactly the same yardage with all three measurements. Thus, I felt confident that the measure­ ments I was getting were fairly accurate. Holes with hilly terrain and with dog­ legs are easily measured on the photo­ graph with relatively good accuracy. There are no holes at Brook-Lea which are so close to the maximum yardages of 250 and 470 yards for par 3 and par 4 holes that a yard or two would affect par. This is a very economical and easy way to remeasure a course on which many changes have been made over the years. It would not be good enough for a USGA competition, but it is certainly sufficient to provide members the yard­ age needed to judge shots. Easy to Lose a Yard While the method used at Brook-Lea does not guarantee complete accuracy, it appears that my figures may not be further off than ones derived from the method recommended in the August Journal. There are several points in it which struck me as possibly not measur­ ing to one-yard accuracy. Among these I include the estimating of playing routes on dog-leg holes and the placing of cups without using a tape to measure. It is easy to be a yard off in a big expanse unless you measure. The entire job was completed in about eight hours time with another member helping me for about two hours to measure the greens and tees with a steel tape. ANSWERS TO QUIZ ON PAGE 8 (Parenthetical numbers refer to the 12. pertinent Sections of “USGA Golf Handi­ cap System For Men.”) 1. Course rating is an evaluation of the 13. playing difficulty of a course com­ pared with other rated courses (2- 11a). 2. Hole rating is the final evaluation 14. of the playing difficulty of a hole after adjustments for rating factors (2-llb). 3. False. It is the difference between a player’s gross score and the course Pi­ rating (2-6). 4. The lowest 10 of the last 25 differen­ tials are used (6-1). 5. Yes, but he must have a minimum of 5 differentials (6-2b). 6. Yes (4-3). 7. Yes, but not for more than two holes lb- per round. He should record two over par for a “pick-up” hole if his handicap is 18 or less, three over par if his handicap is 19 or more (4-3). 17. 8. Scores must have been made during the current playing season or calen­ dar year and the immediately pre­ ceding playing season or calendar year (4-2). 9. Yes. He should also report the course rating of those scores (4-4). 10. He shall use the lowest handicap (7-8b). 11. Revisions should be made regularly, 18. preferably at least once each month during the playing season (8-la). No. USGA Handicaps are continuous, carrying over from one season to the next (8-2b). Yes. The committee has that right and should determine whether the reduction is to be one, two or more strokes (8-3b). Yes. A temporary exception may be made for a temporary physical dis­ ability provided the increased handi­ cap is used only within the player’s home club (8-2c). No. They should be played off at 18 holes. If that be inexpedient, there may be a shorter play-off which permits the competitors to use an equitable percentage of their handicaps (ll-2b). No. Courses should be rated by a committee of the men’s golf associa­ tion having jurisdiction in that region (18-1). The USGA does not endorse “pre­ ferred lies” or “winter rules.” How­ ever, when a local committee be­ lieves that adverse conditions are so general throughout the course that “preferred lies” or “winter rules” would promote fair and pleasant play and help protect the course, it may accept such scores for handi­ capping (13-1). No. Each competitor should use his handicap in effect at the time each round is played (8-4b). 18 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 COUNTRY CLUB OPERATIONS IN 1960 By JOSEPH H. NOLIN, C.P.A. Member of the Firm of Horwath & Horwath Country clubs came a little closer to making ends meet in 1960 than in 1959 as the result of rather substantial increases in dues income. That is the principal finding of our twelfth annual study of country club operations. While none of the groups of clubs in­ cluded in our study had dues income available for members’ equity in 1960, the deficiencies of the medium-sized and large clubs were lower than in the pre­ ceding year. The ratio of the deficiency to dues for the small clubs was the same as in 1959. There has been a steady upward trend in both dues income and the cost of op­ erations in recent years. Unfortunately, the amount of money coming in has not always increased at a faster rate than the amount going out. The three groups into which the clubs supplying operating data for this study have been divided are as follows: 10 small country clubs, each with mem­ bership dues income of under $100,000 (including a regular assessment in one club); 26 medium-sized country clubs, each with membership dues income of between $100,000 and $200,000 (including regular assessments in four clubs); 14 large country clubs, each with mem­ bership dues income of between $200,000 and $400,000 (including regular assess­ ments in four clubs); and 2 very large clubs, each with member­ ship dues income of over $400,000. On page 20 is a summary of the average operations of the three groups expressed in relation to dues and assess­ ment income for both 1960 and 1959. The two clubs with dues income of over $400,000 were again handled separately because the operating figures of these clubs are of such magnitude that they would disproportionately affect the group averages of even the 14 large country clubs. However, we present the 1960 sales and income of all the clubs in­ cluded in the study and also comparisons with 1959 of the most important expenses and results of the individual clubs. Operating Expense Ratios The ratio of operating expenses to dues income of the medium-sized country clubs, at 74.4%, was down 2.1 points from the preceding year. The similar ratio of the small clubs, at 78.5%, was a decline of .1 of a point, while that of the large country clubs, at 70.9%, was a rise of .6 of a point. All three groups showed decreases in the proportion of income required for fixed charges. Be­ cause 1960 dues income rose faster than operating costs and fixed charges, two of the groups were able to report in­ creases in the proportion of such income available for depreciation. Depreciation and Rehabilitation Only the large country clubs had de­ preciation charges rise in relation to dues income, but the ratio for that group was still far below the corresponding ratios for the medium-sized and small country clubs. The percentages of dues income allotted for rehabilitation expen­ ditures and/or reserves were up in all three groups, with the rise of 7.4 points in the medium-sized group being the sharpest. In preparing these studies, how­ ever, it is our policy to make an adjust­ ment for the heavy rehabilitation and improvement programs undertaken by some of the clubs in our sample each year. The funds for such large expendi­ tures on rehabilitation and improvements usually come from special gifts, assess­ ments, initiation and transfer fees and other sources, all of which are excluded from our study as they do not pertain to regular club operations. Thus, in order to show more equitable average ratios for rehabilitation and, consequently, for dues available for members’ equity, we USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 19 SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS, 1960 AND 1959 10 Small Country ('tubs < Dues* under $100m » 1959 $73M 37b $77M I960 $78M 18b $80M 26 Medium Country Clubs tDites* of $100m to S200>t) 14 Large Country -Clubs (Dues* of $200m to $400m) 1960 $141M 47b $148M 1959 $130M 31b $135M I960 $263M 33b $272M 1959 $245M 40b $256M 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Membership dues Assessments . Total SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS Income from dues and assessments Deduct cost of operations (Bold type represents net income) Clubhouse (detail below) Golf and grounds—net Swimming pool—net Tennis—net . Other outside activities—net Total Net before fixed charges Fixed charges Rent Taxes and insurance Interest Total Dues’ available for depreciation Depreciation and/or rehabilitation expenditures or reserves Depreciation Rehabilitation Total Dues’ available for members’ equity CLUBHOUSE OPERATIONS Departmental profit or loss (r) Total Rooms Locker rooms Other sources of incomec Total Undistributed operating expenses Clubrooms Entertainment—net Administrative and general Heat, light and power Repairs and maintenance Total Net clubhouse cost FOOD AND BEVERAGE STATISTICS Cost per dollar sale Food (before credit'for employees’ meals) Beverages (exclusive of bottle sales) Ratios to food and beverage sales Payroll Departmental profit GROSS MAINTENANCE COST OF GOLF COURSE AND GROUNDS11 Per golf course hole Ratio to membership dues’ Food ........... 2.5"' r Beverages 35.9 41.1 3.0b ,9b 5.5b 78.5 21.5 20.3b 7.0 6.6b 16.0 5.5 16.2b 4.6b 15.3 r9.8% 28.4n 29.5 5.2" rl.lb 3.9 33.4 11.4 3.4 39.1 8.4 7.0 69.3 35.9% 58.2c 36.0 26.7% 18.0 34.3 40.9 3.4b 1.1b •5b 78.6 21.4 20.8b 6.5 8.0b 16.1 5.3 17.9b 4.3b 16.4b r9.8% 3.0b% 29.3b 31.6 7.6b r.6b 3.7 35.9 11.4 4.4 38.7 8.5 7.2 70.2 34.3% 56.6c- 35.5 27.3% 18.8 42.9 29.5 1.4b 2.1b •6b 74.4 25.6 15.6b 12.1b 3.7b 17.4 8.2 19.6b 11.5b 15.9b r7.3% rl.2b% 22.9b 20.4 8.2b rl.3b 4.5 25.5 11.1 3.8 35.2 9.3 9.0 68.4 42.9% 56.5c 34.1 31.9% 14.3 42.9 31.4 1.4b 2.2b ,2b 76.5 23.5 16.1b 12.0b 4.3b 17.9 5.6 20.2b 12.0b 16.4b rlO.4% 42.7 25.5 l.lb 2.5b .4b 70.9 29.1 4.8b 12.9 5.6b 17.6 11.5 12.9b 10.4b 14.0 r2.5% ■7b% 2.4b9 24.9b 23.9 10.0b rl.6b 3.9 28.5 11.7 4.1 35.8 10.0 9.8 71.4 42.9% 56.6c 34.1 31.0% 15.5 16.9b 16.5 3.7b rl.4b 5.8 22.3 16.2 3.7b 32.0 7.1 6.8 65.0 42.7% 53.6f 33.8b 33.7% 13.9 42.1 26.0 "b 2.3b ,3b 70.3 29.7 5.6b 12.6 6.4b 18.0 11.7 12.4b 10.5b 15.1 r3.4% 1.0b% 18.4b 17.7 3.6b rl.2b 5.5 23.3 16.6 3.5b 31.5 7.4 7.1 65.4 42.1% 54.9C 34.1b 32.8% 14.0 $1959 $1852 44.3% 43.2% $2797 34.7% $2668 36.3% $3338 28.6% $3165 28.8% m—thousands. s—All ratios are to membership dues 100.000 to 1960 Clubs s of 8200.000 1 1959 14 Large Country Clubs (Dues of S200.000 to $400,000 ) I960 1959 $1261 482 $1223 431 $1927 497 $1824 478 $2349 556 $2250 488 fences, bridges, etc. ..................................... 164 52 153 45 Water, electricity and other expenses ........ Total maintenance exclusive of fixed charges ................................................ Golf shop, caddy and tournament expenses ... Total .............................................................. . Deduct greens fees ................................... Net golf course and grounds expense 1959 260 2219 400 1852 264 2116 365 219 154 2797 392 3189 817 229 137 2668 379 3047 740 230 203 3338 481 3819 796 244 183 3165 436 3601- 705 exclusive of fixed charges ............................ $1819 $1751 $2372 $2307 $3023 $2896 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 21 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. DAMAGE TO PUTTING GREEN: PROHIBITION AGAINST STEPPING ON BALL MARKS DOES NOT APPLY OFF LINE OF PUTT Revised USGA 60-33 R. 35-la, 35-lc Q: Under Rule 35-lc, “The player may repair damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball, but he may not step on the damaged area.” Does the prohibition against stepping on the damaged area apply to damage not on the line of putt? A: It does not apply to damage which is not on the line of putt of the player or of anyone with whom he is playing. The phrase “the line of putt” is considered to mean not only the line the ball might reasonably be expected to travel toward the hole but also the ground around the hole and for such a distance beyond the hole as a missed putt might reasonably be expected to travel. Rule 35-lc is an exception to Rule 35-la, which prohibits touching the line of putt. NOTE: This supersedes Answer 2 in Decision 60-33. Question by: Jennings B. Gordon, President, Southern Golf Association STIPULATED ROUND: RECOMMENDATION THAT ALL PLAYERS START FROM NO. 1 TEE USGA 61-29 D. 29 Q: In our State Tournament is it against the Rules to start players from every tee (Shotgun Start) or should they all start off of No. 1 tee? Question by: Mrs. Karl Keppler, President Nevada State Women’s Golf Association A: We recommend that all players be started from No. 1 tee. Definition 29 pro­ vides: “The ‘stipulated round’ consists of playing eighteen holes of the course in their correct sequence, unless otherwise authorized by the Committee.” Thus, the Committee has authority to alter the se­ quence in which the holes shall be play­ ed. However, it would be unusual in a formal competition, especially a State Championship, to start players from vari­ ous tees, and we would recommend against it. Most golf courses are designed to present playing problems in a definite order, and to play the holes out of their proper order would not make a fair com­ petition. 22 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 PENALTY: FOR HOLING OUT AFTER DRIVING FROM NEXT TEE USGA 60-53 D. 29, R. 1 Q: In a medal play tournament, A left her putter on the tee of a par three hole. She called back to the following group to bring it up. A’s fellow-competitors holed out, and then all of them including A, teed off on the next hole. A then went back to the green, got her putter from the following players, and holed out. A’s group had teed off from the next tee to avoid delaying play, but when the round was completed, a member of the group bringing up the putter advised the committee of A’s actions, and A was dis­ qualified. Personally, I feel that rules are made so that no advantage can be taken, and A seems to have gained no advantage in this case, herefore, I am interested in know­ ing how you would rule. Question by: Mrs. H. Jonsson San Diego, Calif. A: Rule 1 provides: “The Game of Golf consists in playing a ball from the tee­ ing ground into the hole by successive strokes in accordance with the Rules.” A violated this Rule by playing from the next teeing ground before holing out on the hole in question. The Committee was right in disqualifying her. See also Defi­ nition 29. REASONABLE EVIDENCE BALL IN WATER HAZARD: INTERPRETATION OF TERM USGA 61-31 R. 33 (Note 2) Q: I understand from USGA Decision 60-32 that if there is reasonable evidence that a ball is in a water hazard, pro­ cedure under Rule 33-2b is proper and there is no infraction even if the original ball is then found outside the hazard. What would constitute reasonable evi­ dence? It seems to me I read some place that a player (and others) having seen his ball splash into a water hazard, had to “take his lumps” when, after proceeding under Rule 33-2b his first ball was found outside the hazard. Question by: J. Walter McGarry Vero Beach, Fla. A: The term “reasonable evidence” is purposely and necessarily broad so as to permit sensible judgments to be reached on the basis of all the relevant circum­ stances of particular cases. As applied in this context, a player may not deem his ball lost in a water hazard simply be­ cause the ball may be in the hazard. The evidence must be preponderantly in favor of its being in the hazard or the ball must be considered lost and the player must proceed under Rule 29-1. Physical condi­ tions in the area, of course, have a great deal to do with it. For example, if a water hazard is surrounded by a fairway on which a ball could hardly be lost, the existence of reasonable evidence that the ball is in the hazard would be more likely than if there were deep rough all about. Referring to the particular case you mention, it is quite true that a splash would not necessarily provide the rea­ sonable evidence. We all know that splashing balls sometimes skip out of hazards. BALL LOST: ACT OF RETURNING TO SPOT FROM WHERE PLAYED AFTER INSTRUCT­ ING CADDIE TO CONTINUE SEARCH DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DECLARA­ TION USGA 61-32 D. 6 Q: A player instructs his caddie to con­ tinue the search for a lost ball and starts back to play a second ball from where he stroked the first ball. The caddie finds the player’s first ball before the player strokes his second ball and before a five minute search has been made. Is the player deemed to have declared the ball lost because of his action? Question by: Francis J. Lufkin Spokane, Wash. A: No, since the ball was not declared lost by the player before the completion of a five minute search. See Definition 6. While such declaration may be found not only in oral statement but also in ac­ tion by a player leaving no doubt that abandonment of the ball is his intention, this particular player’s instruction to his caddie to continue searching made clear that abandonment of the ball was not intended and negatived any contrary in­ ference from the starting back to play a second ball. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 23 OBSTRUCTION INTERFERING WITH ABNORMAL STROKE: (1) RELIEF PERMISSIBLE IF AB­ NORMAL STROKE NECESSARY (2) NORMAL STROKE MAY BE USED AFTER RELIEF OBTAINED USGA 61-23 R. 31-2 Out Of Bounds Fences, Braces Attached To: Committee Should Define As Not Obstructions Q: A ball rests against a boundary fence, but no portion projects beyond the inside line of the fence. To play the shot toward the green, a right-handed player would have to hit left-handed. However, a supporting brace (defined as an ob­ struction by Local Rule) interferes with a left-handed stroke. May the ball be moved two club-lengths and dropped, no nearer the hole, without penalty? Question by: Lt. Colonel Timothy A. Moran APO 67, San Francisco, Calif. A: Yes. Rule 31-2 entitles a player to relief if an immovable obstruction inter­ feres with his stance, stroke, or back­ ward movement of the club for the stroke in the direction in which he wishes to play. The fact that the player must em­ ploy an abnormal stroke in order to play in the desired direction does not alter the situation. Once he has obtained relief from the obstruction, the Rules do not require that he use the abnormal stance, stroke or backswing made necessary by the original position of his ball. It should be noted that the fence itself is not an obstruction (Definition 20). The case points up the advisability of defining objects attached to out of bounds fences as not obstructions to avoid inequities (Decision 52-8). WRONG INFORMATION IN STROKE PLAY DEFINED. FAILURE TO INCLUDE PENALTY IN SCORE USGA 61-10 R. 11-lb, 11-4, 36-5, 38-3 Q.l: Please explain the meaning of the term “wrong information” in Rule 11-lb with regard to a player’s failure to in­ clude a penalty in his score. A.l: The committee in charge of the competition must determine whether wrong information has been given, de­ pending on the circumstances of each case. As used in Rule 11-lb, “wrong informa­ tion” does not automatically mean any omission of a penalty from a score in stroke play. For example: (a) “Wrong information” does not ap­ ply to a player’s failure to include in his score a penalty which he did not know he had incurred, or which he knew he had incurred but un­ intentionally did not add to his score. (b) “Wrong information” does apply to a player’s failure to include in his score a penalty which he knew he had incurred and intentionally did not add to his score. PENALTY, STROKE PLAY: APPLIED BELATEDLY IF WRONG INFORMATION GIVEN Q.2: It was found that the scorecard of a player in the qualifying round of a match play tournament did not include a penalty on a certain hole through wrong information which he had given. This player had advanced in match play be­ fore the fact was discovered. In such a case, is the player still subject to dis­ qualification under Rule 11-lb? A.2: Yes, and under Rule 38-3 the penalty of disqualification should be ap­ plied unless waived by the Committee in conformity with Rule 36-5. MATCH PLAY: EFFECT OF BELATED DISQUALIFICATION ON TOURNAMENT Q.3: If your answer to question 2 is affirmative and the Committee disquali­ fies a player who has advanced in match play, what then should the Committee do to be fair to the players beaten by the disqualified player? A.3: The Committee must determine further procedure in equity (Rule 11-4). For example, the Committee might either: (a) call off the competition; (b) rein­ state the player last eliminated by the player who gave wrong information, al­ though that would be unfair to the other players eliminated by him; (c) require all players eliminated by him to play off for his forfeited position; or (d) consider the penalty applicable only from the time of its discovery by the Committee, thus giving his next opponent a default. Based on questions submitted by: S. Takahata, President Hirono Golf Club, Japan 24 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 Spring Dead Spots of Bermudagrass By D. F. WADSWORTH AND H. C. YOUNG, JR. Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater ABSTRACT A disease of bermudagrass turf called spring dead spot has become prevalent in Oklahoma. During the past three years bermudagrass has suffered extensive damage which is characterized by dead areas of turf that are apparent only after the grass begins to grow in the spring. The cause of the disease is not known, but it appears to be due to fungi which attack the root system while the grass is dormant. A disease, which is now called spring dead spot, was observed in a ber­ mudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) lawn at Stillwater, Oklahoma during the spring of 1954. Since that time, this disease has been found throughout much of the State on lawns, golf courses and many other public and private turf areas. The preva­ lence and severity of spring dead spot has steadily increased and during the past 3 years has become the most important disease of bermudagrass in Oklahoma. Conversation and correspondence with golf course superintendents and other turf grass area managers has led to the conclusion that this disease may have been present, at least locally, for many years. The only concrete information, however, came from Mr. Bob Dunning of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who believes, in the light of present investigations, that he ob­ served spring dead spot as early as 1936. Reports which indicate the distribution of the disease are rather vague. It was reported from Kansas in 1959, and was observed by the senior author in the turf plots at the University of Nebraska, Lin­ coln, Nebraska, the same year. Follow­ ing a discussion of the disease at the An­ nual Conference of the Oklahoma Turf­ grass Association in December, 1959, vari­ ous individuals reported that this, or a similar disease, has been seen in Pennsyl­ vania, Missouri, and Arkansas. Symptomatology When bermudagrass begins to grow in the early spring well defined, circular, dead spots may be present.. Individual spots vary in size from a few inches to 3 or 4 feet in diameter. The margins are usually even but may become irregular when spots have coalesced to form large, dead areas several feet across. Foliage of the dead grass is a bleached straw color, while the stolons and roots are black and rotted. These plant parts characteris­ tically appear to have been dead for some time, and there is no obvious indi­ cation at any time during the year that the causal agent of the disease is active. In other words, there are no obvious pre­ liminary symptoms. The damage appears to occur while the grass is dormant; therefore, the appearance or spread of USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 25 the disease can be observed only each spring when grass resumes growth. With few exceptions all of the grass in the affected spots is dead. Occasionally a tuft of grass may survive in the larger spots and, where this occurs, the affected area is doughnut shaped. The dead area of such spots may fill from the inside to the outside in 3 or 4 years. Usually, how­ ever, the larger dead spots will remain void of bermudagrass for a number of years and other grasses and weeds be­ come well established in the affected area during this time. The presence of this disease often can be detected by this particular pattern of plant invasion. There is a tendency for the surround­ ing grass to fill in the smaller spots when conditions are favorable. This occurs if the stolons bridge the dead spots and become rooted on the far side. Stolons that fail to bridge eventually die as the new, small roots rot away. The disease has not been associated with any particular type of soil or topog­ raphy. varieties of bermudagrass have been in­ oculated with eight different isolates of Helminthosporium; some of the inocula­ tions have been in the greenhouse and some in the field. No symptoms of spring dead spot developed in any of these tests. Bermudagrass taken from the periphery of dead spots and transplanted by various methods into flats of sterilized or screen­ ed soil and subjected to intervals of growth and dormancy over a 3-year period failed to develop symptoms of the disease. Spring dead spot occurs most frequently in areas where high quality turf has been established; consequently, it was thought that certain fertilizer practices may in­ fluence the development of the disease. However, after comparing the fungicidal- fertilizer, calcium cyanamid, and am­ monium nitrate for 3 years, there appears to be no difference in their effect on disease development. Further studies on etiology and con­ trol of spring dead spot area are in pro­ gress. Host Range Discussion Spring dead spot has been observed only on bermudagrass. It is known to occur on the varieties African, U-3, Com­ mon, Tiffine, and Tifgreen; however, the most extensive damage has occurred on U-3. A number of other bermudagrass varieties have been introduced in recent years but their reaction to this disease has not been determined. Spring dead spot on bermudagrass has been observed only under conditions of management which produce a high quali­ ty turf and not under conditions with a pasture grass type of management. Etiology Bermudagrass sometimes suffers from winter injury, snow mold, and insects, and these types of damage are commonly mistaken for spring dead spot. The true cause of the disease now known as spring dead spot, however, is not known. Fungi are found consistently associated with the disease and on extremely rare oc­ casions white grubs and/or plant para­ sitic nematodes are present in small num­ bers. Isolations from diseased tissues yield many fungi; however, only certain unidentified species of Helminthosporium are consistently obtained. African, U-3, Sunturf and Common It seems likely that the recent im­ portance of spring dead spot is due to greater prevalence than in previous years. The increase in disease prevalence may be the result of a greater use of bermuda­ grass turf for home lawns and public areas, and since spring dead spot is found only in well-cared-for turf, it is possible that the disease will continue to increase in prevalence and importance. The cause of spring dead spot is not yet known. However, observation of the disease since 1954 leads to the conclusion that is it due primarily to root-rotting fungi. The damage appears to occur dur­ ing the winter season while the grass is dormant, which might suggest that the causal agent involved is a cool weather pathogen. This suggestion may be mis­ leading, however, since there are fre­ quent warm periods of short duration throughout the winter, at least in the southern and southwestern areas of the United States. Many fungi have been obtained by isolation from the rotted root systems and stolons but the only fungi found con­ sistently were Helminthosporium spp. Several species of this genus have been isolated and any one or all may have 26 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 been involved in the disease. If one or more of these species of Helminthospori- um were involved, however, the condi­ tions favorable for infection and/or disease development were not easily re­ produced. White grub worms and plant parasitic nematodes have been found associated with spring dead spot also but not with sufficient regularity to be considered as primary causal agents. When either or both of these agents were associated with the disease they probably only enhanced the damage already done. Reprint from PLANT DISEASE REPORTER, Vol. 44, No. 7, July 15, 1960 WAYNE ALLEN CALLED TO ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE W. Wayne Allen, agronomist, who has served for two years in the USGA Green Section’s Southwestern Office, began a tour of active military duty on October 15. Mr. Allen is a member of the 49th Armored Division which was one of the two divisions called up for the purpose of strengthening our nation’s active mili­ tary force. He has been granted a mili­ tary leave of absence and it is expected that he will return to the Green Section staff upon completion of his tour of duty. JF/iy Keep Records? By MARVIN H. FERGUSON Mid-Continent Director, and National Research Coordinator, USGA Green Section The most obvious reason for a golf course superintendent to keep rec­ ords is that of enabling him to account to the members of his club for their money which he has expended in the process of maintaining their golf course. This alone is reason enough for adequate records. It is the club’s property. It is their money. The members have a right to know how their money was spent and what was ac­ complished through its expenditure. There are many additional dividends to be gained from the keeping of adequate records. Good records help the superin­ tendent to gauge the effectiveness of his operations, to accurately estimate costs of future work, to prepare a sound bud­ get, to be able to predict machinery and equipment replacement needs, to evalu­ ate the performance of men and equip­ ment, and to compare maintenance costs with others (on a valid basis). Measuring Effectiveness of Work Done The turf around trees near tees and alongside fairways has been nicely trim­ med and provides a pleasing appearance. Most club members like it that way and usually no questions are asked. But sup­ pose an economy-minded member in­ quires about the cost of this trimming. He is entitled to know. Can you give him the answer? There is some evidence of grub damage on fairways. This damage will not be ex­ cessive but it could be cleared up com­ pletely with an application of a soil in­ secticide. Is it worth the cost of treat­ ment now or should the operation be postponed until next year? How much will it cost for materials and for appli­ cation? The answer to the first question must be based upon one’s budget posi­ tion and the attitude of his club with re­ spect to standard of maintenance. It is a question of judgment. The second ques­ tion is one of fact, however, and can be answered rather precisely on the basis of records kept in the past. Grass in fairways is growing rapidly. Clippings are so heavy they are lying on top of the turf. They are unsightly and they stick to one’s shoes when they are wet with dew. Why have these clippings become so heavy? Has rainfall been heavier than normal? Has the night irri­ gation man been spending more time than usual on the fairways? How much fertilizer was applied? When? Good rec­ ords will provide this information and perhaps give a clue to the factors contri­ buting to the excessive growth. There is excessive Poa annua in the collars of greens—more than in other years. Could a weed control treatment, which eliminated some existing vegeta­ tion, have coincided with the period of Poa annua germination? Or was there a USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 27 severe disease attack which thinned the bent at a critical period? Records may reveal the reason for the excessive Poa annua. Memories often are so faulty as to be unreliable in one’s efforts to recall dates and events of such a nature. Frequently, the Green Section agrono­ mist asks a superintendent a question such as, “When did you last apply in­ secticide for sod webworm control?” The answer may be, “Oh, about 3 weeks ago.” Upon checking records it is frequently found that the elapsed time is much greater. Memories just cannot be com­ pletely trusted during a busy, hectic sea­ son. Only a written record which can be referred to during a less busy season can be the basis for an analysis of the effec­ tiveness of one’s activities. Estimate Costs of Future Work Records of labor and material require­ ments for routine operations permit pre­ cise estimates of costs of performing this or similar work in the future. Suppose, for instance, that a club wishes to estab­ lish a different grass on fairways. Dur­ ing the golfing season it may be possible to maintain bluegrass satisfactorily with two mowings per week, whereas, bermuda­ grass which requires closer cutting and which grows during the summer months may require four mowings per week. How much more time will be required? Will presently owned mowing equipment be sufficient to take care of the problem? Will a new tractor be needed? It may be decided that fairways should be aerified more frequently, that flag­ stick positions be changed twice daily, that sand traps be raked more frequently, that divots in tees be repaired and top- dressed daily, or that new towels on ball washers be replaced more frequently. Conversely, it may be proposed that only the putting green should be sprayed with fungicide and that fringe areas be skip­ ped in order to save money. The superin­ tendent with complete facts at hand can answer all such proposals intelligently. He can predict the amount of savings in the latter case and perhaps forestall a decision that would prove to be false economy. In the case of increasing the frequency of some maintenance opera­ tions, he can accurately estimate the in­ creased costs and committee members may not wish to provide this amount of money for the improved conditions. Budget Planning It is virtually impossible to plan in­ telligently and accurately a budget for a future year’s operations unless records of former operations are available. Labor costs may change, but experience in other years with respect to labor requirements by hours are helpful in figuring costs. Thus, hours required multiplied by cur­ rent or foreseeable labor costs will pro­ vide a very accurate prediction for bud­ get purposes. A budget which is prepared realistically should take into account the depreciation rates of equipment. A budget item for equipment replacement should be in­ serted annually so that major items of capital expense are spread over a num­ ber of years rather than being shown on a single year’s budget. It is distressing to find that some clubs not only fail to pro­ vide for depreciation but do not have an up-to-date inventory which shows the re­ maining useful life and estimated value of equipment owned. Costs of supplies can be estimated with fair accuracy by study­ ing the invoices or purchase orders from past years. In the case of fungicides and insecticides it is well to maintain a sup­ ply of materials on hands even though sizable quantities must be carried from one year’s inventory to the next. More accurate estimates of material needs may be made by referring to records of wea­ ther conditions, disease incidence, severi­ ty of insect attacks, etc. If quantities of materials used can be related to the con­ ditions prevailing during the season, such information is more valuable than a total figure which simply expresses costs of materials used. Comparing Costs It has been said frequently that com­ parisons between golf courses cannot be made. Regardless of the validity of the statement, comparisons will continue to be made. If records are accurate and de­ tailed, some comparisons are possible and in some cases they may be helpful. For instance, two clubs may compare the average time required for mowing an acre of fairway or to rake 1000 square feet of sand trap or to cultivate 1000 square feet of putting green. It may be helpful to know that a seven unit gang mower allows one superintendent to easily mow his fairways three times a 28 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 week with one tractor, whereas his neigh­ bor, operating with a five unit gang can­ not get over his golf course in the same length of time. Finding Maintenance Weaknesses It is frequently the case that the mem­ bership of a club is not overly critical of the conditions existing on a golf course. While superintendents may dream of this kind of membership, it is not a good situation because without the benefit of golfers’ criticism and comment, a super­ intendent may fall into a maintenance routine that neglects some feature of the course. Recently one superintendent found in going over his records that he had spent hardly anything for tee repair, ball washers, and towels. His records im­ mediately revealed to him a matter that he had overlooked on the course and one about which his players had not com­ plained. He immediately undertook a pro­ gram of regularly servicing ball washers and repairing tees. This situation may seem unusual, but it happens more fre­ quently than most of us realize. It is often difficult to see ourselves. When records can help reveal such weaknesses they perform a real service. Kinds of Records Records systems may be simple or com­ plicated and they may consume little or much time. The dislike of a complicated, time-consuming system has deterred many from keeping anything like com­ plete records. The simplest and most desirable is a daily diary. If routine operations as well as special jobs are recorded and weather conditions noted, this diary together with payroll records and invoices for materials purchased will provide the basic informa­ tion needed by the superintendent. Because of the fact that records hold a fascination for many people, it is easy to progress to certain other types of records that will provide useful information. The illustrations and their explanations indicate some of the types of information that will provide a complete and detailed history of the year’s operations on any golf course. Complete records do require a con­ siderable amount of time. Those who have kept such records feel that they are well worth the trouble and time. They en­ able the superintendent to subject his operations to a constant, critical analysis. He can spot his weaknesses, he can pre­ cisely predict next year’s costs, he can defend those maintenance tasks he be­ lieves to be important, he can recommend the elimination of costly course features which he believes to be unimportant, and finally, he can demonstrate his responsi­ bility to the club by showing his mem­ bership exactly what he has done for them with their money. WORKMAN’S DAILY TIME SHEET Form 1 Name_.________ _ __ — _ __________ Date____ .__ _ Hrs. Operation Hrs. Operation GREENS ___ Mowing ___ Poling ___ Irrigating ___ Change cups ___ Fertilizing ___ Cultivating V*rt- mowing ___ Topd retting ___ Spraying ___ Other GREEN COLLARS ___ Mowing ___ Irrigating ___ Fertilizing .___Spraying ___ Cultivating ___ Other GREEN APRONS ___ Mowing _ Irrigating ___ Cultivating _ -Spraying ___ .Fertilizing ___ Other FAIRWAYS ___ Mowing ___ Irrigating ___ Fertilizing ___ Cultivating ___ Spraying ___ Other TEES ___ Mowing ___ Irrigating ___ Fertilizing ___ Repair ___ Cultivating ___ Spraying ___ Ball washers ___ Other TEE SLOPES ___ Mowing ___ Irrigating ___ Fertilizing ____ Spraying ___ Cultivating _ -Other ROUGH ___ Mowing ___ Trimming ___ Weed control ___ Other WOODLAND ___ Brush control ___ Tree care ___ Mowing ___ Other SWAMPLAND or BOO ___ Drainage _._Weed control ___ Other NURSERY - Grats: ----- Planting ----- Mowing ----- Trimming ------Spraying ------Irrigating ------Fertilizing ----- Other NURSERY - Trees, etc. ___ Planting —Spraying . -Irrigating —Fertilizing ___ Cultivating ___ Other WATER HAZARDS ------Trimming ------Weed control ------Other BUNKERS - Sand: ___ Raking ___ Weed control ___ Trimming & Edging ___ .Other BUNKERS - Grass: ___.Mowing ___ Other MISC. MAI NT. ___ Equipment ___ Roads ___ Service Bldgs. ___ Benches, shelters ___ Other FORM 1: A daily time sheet for the individual workman. Each workman should check the items on which he has worked during the day and re­ cord the hours in the appropriate column. Where the work does not fit any of the categories listed, the workman should check "Other" and make an explanatory note somewhere on the sheet. This form should be turned in daily to the superin­ tendent. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 29 ; HO. OF TIMES FEEFOEMED Month ©L 19___ TOTAt HOURS MONTHLY SUMMARY SHEET ' ’ GREENS Mowing Poling Irrigating Change Cups Fertilizing Cultivating Vert. Mowing _ Topdressing Spray i n g____ Other GREEN COLLARS Mowing Irrigating Fertilizing Spraying Cultivating Other green aprons Mowing Irrigating Cultivating Spraying Fertilizing _ Other__ _ _ FAIRWAYS" _ Mowing Irrigating Fertilizing Cultivating Spraying Other Tees Mowing Irriaotina FORM 2: A summary sheet for the transfer of the information given on daily time tickets. The super­ intendent should use this summary sheet to make a daily record of the total hours spent on each phase of maintenance. At the end of each month, the daily entries may be totaled to provide a monthly summary of the time consumed by every operation. SUMMARY SHEET — COST OF SUPPLIES PURCHASED Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. TOTAL Form 4 Gasoline Oil Grease Fertiliser Seed Stolons Fungicide Herbicide Insecticide Sand Peat Miscellaneous TOTALS FORM 4: A summary sheet showing supplies purchased. This information should be drawn from in­ voices or purchase orders. These data, together with year end inventories, will provide figures on supplies used and their value. 30 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 Form 3 BASIC DATA Course 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Description: Total acreage: Fairways — Acres_____________ Rough — Acres_____________ Woodland — Acres Swampland or Bog — Acres_____________ Nursery area — Description & size Putting green _____________ 1000 sq. ft. units Collar 1000 sq. ft. units Apron 1000 sq. ft. units Water hazards _____________ 1000 sq. ft. Bunkers (sand) _____________ 1000 sq. ft. units Bunkers (grass)______________1000 sq. ft. units 1000 sq. ft. units Tees Tee slopes ---------------------- 1000 sq. ft. units units & description FORM 3: A basic sheet which will serve as a description of the course with respect to the areas subject to various categories of maintenance. Units of maintenance will be derived from this infor­ mation. We have found that aerial photos made to scale (obtainable from nearly all local Soil Con­ servation Service offices) are extremely useful for determining areas. A planimeter can be used to obtain fast and accurate measurements of area from these photos. Form 5 SUMMARY SHEET — MACHINERY MAINTENANCE COSTS Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. TOTAL Parts Golf Course Labor Outside Repairs Other TOTAL These costs to be derived from invoices and from daily time records. FORM 5: A summary sheet of equipment and maintenance costs. If the club maintains a "repair parts" inventory, this must be considered in determining the cost of repair parts used. EQUIPMENT OPERATION RECORD Month of 19___ _T Y p E OF„... E.° U ! ? .** E .NT !____ NUMBER 1 3-3. 4 j 5 6 i 7~ B i 9 10| 11 12| 13 14! 15 16| 17 IB! 19 20121 22123 24| 25; 26 27 \ 28' 29- 30 3»j TOTAL HOURS i IDENTIFYING HOMES OF OPERATION • FORM 7: An equipment operation record. This should show the item of equipment, an identifying number, and a record of its operation. This record usually is the responsibility of the superintendent, though he may pass the responsibility to the operator of the equipment. This record will have no value from the standpoint of maintenance costs, but it will be helpful in establishing '"expected useful life" of equipment. USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 31 Form 6 INVENTORY OF EQUIPMENT Identifying No. (a) TYPE OF EQUIPMENT Estimated Value (b) Estimated Remaining Useful Life Years (a) + (b) Annual Depreciation FORM 6: An inventory of equipment. This should show each item of equipment owned by the club, an identifying number, its estimated value, its estimated useful remaining life, and the annual rate of depreciation. Small items, such as hand tools, should be placed on a separate inventory. A budget item usually takes care of replacement needs of such “expendable" items. WEEKLY PAYROLL SHEET For Week of_ I9__ WORKMAN'S NAME S M T W Th F S DATE HOURS REGULAR PAY RATE PER HOUR TOTAL REGULAR PAY HOURS OVER­ TIME OVER­ TIME RATE TOTAL OVERTIME PAY TOTAL EARNINGS DEDUCTIONS NET PAY FORM 2a: A weekly payroll form. On this form each workman's time for each working day is re* corded, (this also is transferred from the daily time sheet Form 1). Form 2a provides a record of the total hours of labor for each man, his rate of pay, his total earnings, net pay and the totals of these items for the entire crew. COMING EVENTS November 16-17 Arizona Turfgrass Conference University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona November 27-30 Fifty-Fourth Annual Meeting of American Society of Agronomy Sheraton-Jefferson Hotel St. Louis, Missouri December 11-14 Weed Society of America Sheraton-Jefferson Hotel St. Louis, Missouri 1962 January 26 USGA Green Section Educational Program Biltmore Hotel New York, N. Y. December 5-6 16th Annual Oklahoma Turfgrass Conference Student Union Building Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Okla. January 28-February 2 33rd International Turfgrass Conference and Show Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Deauville Hotel Miami Beach, Florida December 11-12-13 16th Annual Texas Turfgrass Conference Memorial Student Center Texas A. & M. College College Station, Texas February 19-22 Penn State Turfgrass Conference The Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pa. 32 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: NOVEMBER, 1961 IT’S YOUR HONOR Fifteen Clubs Honor and Privilege g | To The USGA: To The USGA: | I had the privilege of competing in X the USGA Girls’ Junior Champion- x ship five times. Each Championship 1 was on a beautiful golf course and x represents a wonderful part of my <|> | life. The great game of golf has given |> me so much that can’t be measured X in trophies alone. I am so honored to be the Girls’ Junior Champion. I X will always try my very best to live x up to the high standards and ideals X of the United States Golf Associa- x tion. Mary Lowell x Hayward, Calif. $ x I have a suggestion which I would $ like very much for you to consider; X it is that the number of clubs that a golfer be allowed to carry in his bag X be increased from fourteen to fifteen. t It may be that the professionals need X only two or three woods, but the T average golfer probably will do bet- & ter by having four woods. I know in x my own game I do better when I have four woods from which to x choose. If the golfer has a full set of irons, x including the pitching wedge or a ten iron, with a putter, he has no 1 place for a sand wedge. The pitching T wedge of the ten iron is not made X for coming out of sand traps. It T seems to me that for a golfer to X have a complete set of clubs, he must T carry fifteen clubs. I can see no rea- son why the rule should not be x changed to allow a golfer to carry <1 fifteen clubs. X If there is no good reason for this