Bulletin of the Green Section
of the U. S. Golf Associa tion

Vol. I

Washington, D. C., February 10, 1921

No.1

A MONTHLY PERIODICAL TO PROMOTE THE
BETTERMENT OF GOLF COURSES

ISSUED BY THE GREEN COMMITTEE OF THE
UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION

CONTENTS

Announcement.

Bulletin and Service of Green Committee of the

u. S. Golf Associa tioD.

_

from the Secretary of the U. S. Golf Association

Resolution Adopted by the U. S. Golf Association, Nov. 30, 1920
Announcement
Program of the Green CommiUee
for Co-opera ti on
Appeal
The Service Burea u
First Meeting of the Green CommiUee

:

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5
7
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10
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l\IE~IBERS OF THE GREEN Cmll\lITTEE

OF THE UNITED STATES

GOLF ASSOCIATION:

C. V. PIPER, Chairmnn,
R. A. OAKJ.EY,Vice Chairman,
E. J. MARSHALL,Vice Chairman,
GEORGE'V. ADAIR,
'V. A. AEI.XANDER,
STERLINGE. ED)IUNDS,
'VIII. C. FOWNES,JR.,
DR. 'VAI.TERS. HARBAN,
FREDERICC. HOOD,
NORIIUNMACBETH,
"'. P. STEWART,
JAMES L. TAYLOR,
'VYNANT D. VANDERPOOl.,
'VII.SO:'lO,
AUN D.
'VOODWARD,
FRANK L.

Inverness Club,
Druid Hill Golf Club,
Old Elm Club,
St. Louis Country Club,
Oakmont Countr}' Club,
Columbia Country Club,
The Country Club,
Wilshire Country Club,
Audubon GolC Club.
Ekwanok Country Club,
MorrIs Country Golf Club,
Merion Cricket Club.
Denver Country Club,

III.

Washin!cton, D. C.
Washington, D. C.
Toledo, Ohio.
Atlanta,
.Ga.
Fort Sheridnn,
St. Louis,
1\10.
Pittsburgh,
Pa.
Washington, D. C.
Boston, Mass.
Los Ang-eles, Calif.
New Orleans. La.
l\Ianchester, Vt.
Convent Station, N. J.
Havcrford,
Denver, Colo.

Pa.

Address

all

communications

Coprright,

}021, by the Green Section of

the United States Golf Association

to 'V •. n: LydenberA', ExecuU..-c Acting Secretary,
Ele..-enth Station, Washington,

D. C.

P. O. Box 676,

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ANNOUNCEMENT

Bulletin and Service of Green Comn1ittee
of the United States Golf Association

The formal announcements of the formation of a Green Section of the
United States Golf Association to be conducted by a Green Committee
are appended, and this is intended to announce the Committee's Bulletin
and service, which may be obtained by golf clubs in the United States
and Canada whether affiliated with the United States Golf Association
or not.

It is pointed out in the other articles that

the Bulletin and service
may be obtained by any club in the United States and Canada appoint-
ing some member of its green committee as delegate to the Green Section
of the United States Golf Association and paying the annual fee, namely
$15 for' member-clubs of the United States Golf Association or $20 for
other clubs, fL"'{edby the Executive Committee of the United States Golf
Association to cover the cost of the Bulletin and service.

It is estimated that American golf clubs spend annually in the main-
tenance of their golf courses between $15,000,000 and $25,000,tJOO. Figure
it out for yourself. There are many more than two thousand clubs, which
Some a trifle less and
on the average spend not less than $7500 a year.
a great many several times as much.

The melancholy fact is that at least a third of this amount is wasted

through ignorance and the use of ineffective methods.

If the money wasted was applied in a proper direction better results
the United States would

and a higher standard of maintenance throughout
be accomplished.

The aim of the Green Committee of the United States Golf Associa-

tion is to remedy this situation.

It is intended that

the local green committees serve locally, to the end that
cooperation of local committees may be aroused.

the Green Committee shall serve nationally as
the interest and

If

the information and experience possessed by local committees,
local green keepers and others who' can contribute something in a prac-
tical and scientific way are made available to all, the results can not be
otherwise than beneficial.

The Committee is composed of amateurs-amateur

green committee-
men-who will serve without financial recompense and will feel amply
rewarded if they are able to stimulate the interest of local. green com-
mittees.

3

The Committee will keep itself perfectly
real or implied, so that

free from entangling alli-
The
ances, either
and the Committee will neither
Bulletin will contain no advertisements
commercially or profession-
favor nor disfavor anyone who is interested
ally. The Bulletin ,will not seek to occupy the fiell of the golf journals,
construction men or the like, and it will contain no golf
golf architects,
news or stories.
It will carry nothing more than articles and information
of interest and benefit to local green committees.

its ideals can be accomplished.

The Bulletin will be issued monthly, with perhaps

an occasional
and the service and aid of the Green Committee of the
special Bulletin,
United States Golf Association will be available- at all
times. Any ques-
tion relating to green keeping or the duties of a. green committee may be
submitted at any time and will be answered to the best of the ability of
of a technical nature will be obtained
the Committee. All
from qualified persons.

information

In every issue of the Bulletin will be printed

by the Committee during

the more important
the interim

questions
between the publication of Bulletins.

and answers handled

It is intended that

the service and aid of the Committee in the way
the Committee
to
answer
that would be expected if the green committee of any club asked

of answering questions shall be personal.
will make the same effort
inquiries
a question of the committee of another club.

to give a complete and satisfying

In other words,

It

is believed that

if the interest of local green committees can be
as to what others are
aroused and if they will come to seek information
a cooperative spirit will
doing and as to the best methods and practices,
Everyone can con-
be induced that cannot
this may be accom-
tribute
plished it
is hoped that green committees will make the freest possible
use of the service and aid of the Green Committee of the United States
Golf Association.

to produce good results.
something of value to the others and so that

fail

all
The purpose of this first number of the Bulletin is to acquaint
golf clubs in the United States and Canada with the names of the Com-
mittee and to seek cooperation.

It is hoped that clubs will sign the blanks enclosed and send their
remittances promptly so as to save the Committee the work of drumming
them up and urging cooperation that should be voluntary.

The cost is trivial

in comparison with the possible benefits, and one
useful piece of information obtained from the Bulletin or with the aid and
service of the Green Committee may save many times the cost.

The character of matter

to be contained in the Bulletin hereafter
to some extent by the second number, which will contain

is indicated
the following:

"The Turf Grass Seeds to Buy and How to Buy Them "-C. V. Piper
and R. A. Oakley.
"'Vinter
"Spring
"Experience
"Questions

'Vork for the Greenkeepers"-Dr.
'Vork at Inverness"-

C. V. Piper and R. A. Oakley.

and Experiments"-

'V. J. Rockefeller.

and Answers."

'V. S. Barban.

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Resolution Adopted by the United States Golf
Association, N ovem ber 30, 1920

Resolved, That a Green Section of the United States Golf Association
of collecting and distributing
the proper
of value respecting

be and is hereby
the purpose
among members of the Section information
maintenance

and upkeep of golf courses.

created for

The Green Section shall be eomposed of delegates

and permanent

as herein provided.

Delegates may be nominated

members,
club in the United States or Canada, whether
States Golf Association or not, and each such club may appoint
gate provided
terest
and upkeep of golf courses shall be eligible to membership.

that no person having any direct or indirect

by any golf
affiliated with the United
one dele~
in-

in the sale of any article, material or service used in the maintenance

financial

The Green Section shall be conducted

to be known
as the "Green Committee of the United States Golf Association," which
shall be eomposed of 25 members, one-half of whom shall be appointed
by
and the other half
the United States Golf Association
of
the President
shall be elected by the delegates

and permanent members.

by a committee

The members of the Green Committee

The officers of the Green Committee shall be a chairman

chairmen, who shall be appointed
Golf Association

successors are appointed,

by the president

any cause shall be filled by the

and two vice
of the United States
and shall be ex officio members of the Green Committee.
shall hold office for one year
and any vacancies occuring in the
of
The number of members of the Green Committee may be
and in such case the
of the year by the
or elected as herein provided.
in a scientific or practical way to the
permanent mem-

golf courses may be appointed

remaining members

shall be appointed

shall be appointed

for the remainder

at any time by a vote of the Committee,

their

or until
Committee
for
the Committee.
increased
additional members
Committee and thereafter

Persons who have contributed

of American

betterment
bers by the Green Committee.
The permanent members

least once a year at

shall meet at
United States Golf Association
championship
said meeting shall be for
election of members of the Green Committee.

the discussion

or at

and the delegates

to the Green Section
the time of the annual meeting of the
the time and place of the amateur
and
and the

of subjects

interest

of

or at a time and place fixed by the Green Committee,

The expense of conducting

clubs which appoint
shall be fixed by the Green Committee.

delegates

the Green Section shall be borne by the
to such section, and the dues of each club

SUGGESTED FORM OF NOMINATION

The undersigned

hereby nominates

address
the Green Section of the Unitcd States Golf Assoeiation.

is

, whose
, as their delegate to

Check for $

covering first year's ducs is cnclosed.

(Golf Club)

.

Add rcss

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Announcement

from the Secretary of the United

States Golf Association

Realizing the importance of aiding in every way the proper upkeep
and maintenance of American golf courses, the United States Golf Associa-
tion has created a Green Section, to be conducted by the Green Com-
mittee of the United States Golf Association, as more fully appears in tho
resolution, a copy of which is appended.
It is confidently believed that

this section will by means of timely
letters or a regularly published journal, provide information of great value
regarding the supplies of seeds, the qualities and use of fertilizers, soil
preparation, and scientific matters, besides providing the means by which
the experience and practices of green committeesand green-keepers through-
out the United States will be made available to all;
the result will
be a distinct
improvement in the standard of maintenance and an avoid-
ance of waste and useless expense.
Through lack of knowledge, it

is safe to say, much needless delay
is occasioned and many thousands of dollars are wasted each year by golf
clubs, especially new clubs, in their endeavors to establish good turf. The
utilization of existing knowledge and experience will, it is hoped, not only
reduce this useless waste but insure turf of good quality.

that

We have secured the assurance of full assistance from practically
all the scientists of the country who are actively investigating the various
factors that determine quality in turf. Among the men referred to are
l\iessrs. Piper, Oakley, Hillman, Walton, and Carrier, all of whom have
secured results of high value in connection with turf problems.

"\Vehave been fortunate in securing Messrs. C. V. Piper and R. A.
Oakley, of the United States Department of Agriculture,
to accept, re-
spectively, the chairmanship and vice chairmanship of the Green Com-
mittee of the United States Golf Association. This committee, which
will conduct the Green Section until the first annual meeting, will be com-
posed of the following:

C. V. Piper, Chairman, Washington, D. C.; R. A. Oakley, Vice Chair-
man, "\Vashington,D. C.; E. J. Marshall, Vice Chairman, Inverness Club,
Toleda, Ohio; George W. Adair, Druid Hill Golf Club, Atlanta, Ga.; W. A.
Alexander, Old Elm Club, Fort Sheridan, Ill.; Sterling E. Edmunds, St.
Louis Country Club, St. Louis, :Mo.;Wm. C. Fownes, Jr., Oakmont Coun-
try Club, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Dr. "\Valter S. Harban, Columbia Country Club,
\Vashington, D. C.; Frederic C. Hood, The Country Club, Boston, Mass.;
Norman Macbeth,
'Vilshire Country Club, Los Angeles, CaI.; W. P.
Stewart, Audubon Golf Club, New Orleans, La.; James L. Taylor, Ekwanok
Country Club, Manchester, Vt.; "\Vynant D. Vanderpool, Morris County
Golf Club, Convent Station, N. J.; Alan D. \Vilson, Merion Cricket Club,
Haverford, Pa.; Frank L. "\Voodward,Denver Country Club, Denver, Colo.
Ultimately it is planned to enlarge the committee so that every sec-
tion of the country will be represented and its local problems considered.
future development of the Green Committee will
include a system of sectional sub-committees which will hold frequent
meetings attended by delegates of clubs in that section for interchange of
to illustrate, a sub-committee might be formed in Chicago.
information;

It is hoped that

7

which would include the surrounding region and would consider local
problems.

One-half of the members of the Green Committee will be elected at
the time of the annual meeting by the delegates and permanent members
of the Section. The other half, and its officers (chairman and two vice-
chairmen), who shall be members ex offi~io of the Committee, shall be
appointed by the president of the United States Golf Association.

Every golf club in the United States and Canada which is a sub-
scriber to the Green Section is invited to nominate a delegate to the Green
Section, preferably a member of its green committee and one who is in-
terested in the subject and can contribute something to the fund of infor-
mation intended to be made available by the creation of this Section.

Each club nominating a delegate to this Green Section will be re-
quired to pay annual dues to support
the dues for the first
year will be $15.00 for members of the United States Golf Association
and $20.00 for other clubs, and the fund thus contributed will be used
solely to pay expenses. There will be no salaried officers.

the Section;

There will also be a permanent membership (without dues) com-
posed of individuals who are interested in this subject and who have done
valuable work in a scientific or practical way. Such members shall be
elected by the Green Committee.

If consideration is given to the annual cost of maintaining golf courses,
these dues will seem trivial, and the savings and benefits derived from
membership in this Section should amply justify their payment.

The Green Committee has prepared an announcement of its aims

and plans, which follows.

W. D. VANDERPOOL,
Secretary, United States Golf Association.

Program ot the Green Committee

of the United

States Golf Association

The Green Committee of the United States Golf Association ap-
the purpose of conducting the Green Section submits the

pointed for
following as an outline of the aims and purposes of the Section:

It

1. Bulletin.

is expected that bulletins will be sent

to member
clubs at least monthly, giving information on matters of interest, such as
methods of maintenance and upkeep, with amount of labor
involved,
and comparative costs, green keeping detail, budget systems, what seed
to use and hmy to buy it, seed analysis, how to determine the percentage
of germination and impurity, methods of seeding and reseeding, proper
soil composition, comparative values of various fertilizers
and relative
cost, topdressings-how and when to apply them, grass diseases and their
treatment, weeds, pests, etc., and methods of eradication or control, and
all the various subjects in which green committees are or should be inter-
these bulletins may be
ested. A loose-leaf binder will be provided so that
the committee will
preserved for
send out a number of questionnaires covering subjects of interest,
for
the United
the purpose of ascertaining the present practices throughout
the use of equipment, methods,
States in respect

It is contemplated that

to seeding, fertilizing,

future use.

8

etc., so that persons
are in vogue, and information
able.

interested

can ascertain

as to the best practices

at any time what methods
can be made avail-

for,

on any subject of interest

2. A seorvice bureau is provided

from which any member may
relating to the maintenance
obtain information
or official in charge
and upkeep of golf courses.
or will obtain the in-
of this bureau will answer any inquiries promptly
It is also expected
formation
that a printed report of the papers, addresses, and discussion at the annual
meeting will be prepared

from those who can speak with authority.

The executive secretary

and distributed.

the delegates

3. An annual nweting of all

and permanent members
the time of the annual meeting of the
the time and place of the amateur
or at the time and place fixed by the Green Committee, and
sub-
consisting of papers or addresses on interesting
such papers or addresses will
this general meet-
for

of the Green Section will be hId at
United States Golf Association or at
championship
a suitable program,
jects, will be arranged.
be followed by an open discussion.
ing will be productive
interchange

It is believed that
of great benefits because of the opportunity

of views and experiences.

It is expected that

4. It is hoped that a means may be provided for assisting and train-

ing green-keepers.

5. Pending

first annual meeting of the members,
posed as follows:

the completion of the organization

the
the Green Committee will be com-

of the Section at

C. V. Piper, Chairman, Washington, D. C.; R. A. Oakley, Vice Chair-
Inverness Club,
man, "\Vashington, D. C.; E. J. Marshall, Vice Chairman,
,Yo A.
Toledo, Ohio; George 'V. Adair, Druid Hill Golf Club, Atlanta, Ga.;
Ill.; Sterling E. Edmunds, St.
Alexander, Old Elm Club, Fort Sherdian,
'Vm. C. Fownes, Jr., Oakmont Coun-
Louis Country Club, St. Louis, Mo.;
Pa.; Dr. Walter S. Hal'ban, Columbia Country Club,
try Club, Pittsburgh,
:Mass.;
\Vashington, D. C.; Frederic C. Hood, The Country Club, Boston,
'V. P.
"\Vilshire Country Club, Los Angeles, Cal.;
Norman Macbeth,
James L. Taylor, Ek-
Stewart, Audubon Golf Club, New Orleans. La.;
wanok Country Club, Manchester, Vt.;
:Morris
County Golf Club, Convent Station, N. J.; Alan D. \Vilson, Merion Cricket
Pa.; Frank L. "\Voodward, Denver Country Club, Den-
Club, Haverford,
ver, Colo.

'Yynant D. Vanderpool,

6. It is hoped that

every club in the United

and Canada,
,vhether a member or not of the United States Golf Association, will nom-
one of its green eommittee, as a dele-
inate one of its members, preferably
something to
gate to the Green Section, so that
the information
in
the proceedings

intended to be made available
and conduct of the Section.

everyone can contribute

to all and participate

States

7. The form enclosed should be used for

the nomination

gates of this Section and should be sent, with check for
to ~'lOl.timer Buckner, Treasurcr
dues,
ciation, 26 Broad Street, New York, N. Y.

of the United States Golf Asso-

of the dele-
the first year's

all other communications

to 'V. B. Lydenberg,

Executive
'Vashil1gton,

Address
Acting Secretary,
D.C.

P. O. Box 676, Elcventh Street Station,

9

An Appeal for Co-operation
E. J. MARSHALL

How much money does your club spend each year on its golf courses?
Is it one-third or more of the total
revenue? Do you wish you could
have more money so you could do more work or have things nicer?
lVhat
do yo'u know personally about
the 'work and materials on which you are
If you had the practices and experience of
spending
others available for your study and use, do you think you could save money
or get better results for the same outlay?

the club's money?

If you are not

you ought
you information and assistance should appeal to you.

to resign, and if you are interested any proposal

interested in your work on your green committee,
that offers

Do you spend $25,000 or only $2500 a year 1 In either case the
cost of the service of the Green Committee of the United States Golf
the way is pointed to but a single economy,
Association,
If you are able to secure better results for
you have your money back.
the same money, the expense is justified.

is trivial.

If

Would you like to know the methods and materials used on the famou,:;
golf courses in the United States Y Would you like to hear how some of
the really fine, though small, nine-hole courses are kept up'

Would it be helpful

if you could ask and get an answer to almost

any quesction you wish to ask concerning green-keeping Y

'Vould you be interested in the opinions and experience of men situ-
ated as you are, who have nothing to sell and who do not care whether
you like the answer or not Y

These questions have been asked by a great many men who are serv-
ing on green committees and trying their best to get results, and the fre-
quency of the questions has resulted in the formation of the Green Com-
mittee of the United States Golf Association.

This committee is designed to create the contact between all

those
It is the "liaison officer," so to speak, correlating the green
interested.
committees of the United States.
It is to be the channel or clearing house
through which useful information can be passed and the means by which
eooperation between those interested can be induced.

As a business man you keep in touch with your competitors. You
If one gets out
study their methods and watch their prices and costs.
something new, you strive for something better.
'Vhy not apply the
same practice to your work on the green committee of your club Y Let
us have our trade bulletin and our trade association in our business of
green-keeping.

The problems are common to all, and the desire, we believe, is keen
to get results. The study of the practices and experiences of others is
the only way the problems can be solved and the desires satisfied.

The Green Committee of the United States Golf Association has
nothing to sell and no one to favor or disfavor. Buy where and of whom
you please. The service of the committee is offered to you for the use
you think it merits. The cost to you will be the cost of the service-no
more, no less; no salaries, simply actual expense.

Do not understand that

the members of the Green Committee con-

10

sider themselves omniscient. They do not. They are situated exactly
as you are and wish and need this service as it is believed you need it.

The Green Committee does not intend to compete with the golf jour-
nals, which contribute so much to the ple~ures of the game, nor does
it wish to detract
from the activities and influence of those interested
commercially or professionally in the construction or maintenance of golf
courses.

The plan contemplates the cooperation of members of green com-
mittees and those interested in the interchange of information that should
be helpful in their work.

This appeal is for cooperation among the men in the United States
who are serving on green committees, in the belief that all will benefit
far beyond the annual cost.

Your active aid is solicited. Others need the benefit of your experi-

ence- or even your questions.

Will you help yourself and help others by taking a part

in this work T
Help by scnding in your subscription today, and then help by your sug-
gestions. Ask questions. Avail yourself of the service. The aim is to
gain the cooperation of all
interested, whether the clubs are affiliated
with the United States Golf Association or not, in the betterment of Amer-
ican golf courses.

l'he Service Bureau

It has the assurance of support

The functions of the Service Bureau are to furnish or to secure as
promptly as possible information about any problems that confront a
green committee or green-keeper, including seeds, fertilizers, weeds, turf
insects and diseases, commercialsources of supply, identification of grasses,
to fill this function from a
weeds, etc.
goodly number of scientific specialists.
rrhe more important questions,
together with concise answers, will be published regularly in the Bulletin.
The bureau will at all times endeavor to have up-to-date information
on sources of supply of seeds, fertilizers, and other materials used by green-
keepers. Such information will be supplied only by letter, so as to avoid
anything resembling advertisement.

First Meeting of the Green Committee

The first meeting of the Green Committee was held in 'Vashington
on Saturday, January 22, when all necessary details were completed to
In the afternoon the members of the committee
carryon
were entertained by Dr. 'V. S. Harban, at
thc Columbia Country Club.
Subsequcnt mcetings of the committee will be held whcnever deemed
desirable.

its activities.

11