10 USGA JOURNAL AND TURF MANAGEMENT: JULY, 1953 Allan Robertson's in " House" By EDWARD S. KNAPP USGA EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

If you were to ask ten men to select In 1950, Mr. Earle, while searching the greatest golfer who had ever lived, for valuable old clubs and the names of Bob Jones, Harry Vardon books, bought from the Tom Morris shop, and undoubtedly would be in St. Andrews, a lot of twenty-one clubs. nominated. It is unlikely, however, that One of these bore a Scottish Exhibition anyone would mention Allan Robertson. sticker No. 192. Yet, according to tradition, Robertson Patient research developed the fact that never was beaten in a stake match on in the Scottish Exhibition of National His­ level terms, and he and Tom Morris, Sr., tory, Art and Industry, instituted in 1911 who learned his golfing lore in Robert­ in Glasgow, there had appeared in the son's shop, never lost a foursome in south gallery of the Palace of History, which they were partners. Robertson's which housed the exhibition, the follow­ name is now a dim memory because he ing item: was born at St. Andrews, Scotland, in "192—ALLAN ROBERTSON'S PUTTER, 1815. During most of his career he played LENT BY T. MORRIS." the feather ball, and he died in 1858, two A copy of the catalog is in our library, years before the first British Open was thanks to Mr. Earle. held. Robertson's swing has been com­ The putter has the pear-shaped head pared to that of Vardon in grace and usually associated with Hugh Philp and elegance, and if he had a weakness, it bears the name of its reputed maker on was that he lacked the power of v his that part of the head where Philp habit­ rivals. Willie Dunn, Willie Park and Tom ually stamped his clubs. Morris, Sr., all younger, had an advan­ On the other side of the ledger, con­ tage over him in length, but never when tributions to the "Golf House" Fund have the final score was written down. surpassed the $100,000 mark and reached J. C. Earle, of Los Angeles, Cal., a a total of $100,125. The number of idi- member of the USGA Museum Commit­ viduals, clubs, associations and other or­ , has given to the USGA Museum in ganizations who have enrolled as Found­ "Golf House" a wooden putter, which, in ers is now 5,473. The goal remains view of evidence, is believed to have $110,000. been Allan Robertson's, made by the Those who have contributed since the famous club-maker, Hugh Philp. last issue of the USGA JOURNAL are:

INDIVIDUALS

Percy Clifford Pat Malloy James D. Shea C. G. De Coudres Joseph Marra Joel M. Shepherd Wally Grey J. B. Marshall, Jr. J. D. "Joe" Shriver Sam Hamin Joseph Morrill, Jr. C. D. Smith Richard D. Hanen Chester F. O'Brien Norman E. Staats Stanley G. Heidenrich George R. Ramsbottom D. W. Mills A. Frank Hooker, Jr. Ralph A. "Whitie" Reed Irl T. Oliver, Jr. James A. Hutchinson, Jr. Mally Reynolds Frank Thacker Milton H. Lake Max D. Schuster John F. Vaughan

CLUBS ASSOCIATION

Edgewood Country Club, W. Va. The Women's Golf Association Old Town Club, N. C. of Western New York Utah Copper , Utah