CHAMPIONSHIPS RUN Smoothly Norionol and Western Opens Are Models of Efficient Handling
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26 GOLFDOM CHAMPIONSHIPS RUN SMOOTHLy Norionol and Western Opens are models of efficient handling PERATING problems of the National and Western Opens have been O given such thorough study by the golf associations and the officials of the tournament clubs during the past several years one need not wonder that the National Open at Cherry Hills 0 and the Western Open at Westwood to major event crowds. How these man- were run in practically perfect shape. agers can manage to present buffet lunch- Especially impressive was the man- eons at moderate prices and present the ner in which the clubhouse traffic was attractive set-ups they do, is something handled at Cherry Hills. that must puzzle the inquiring guest. 1 Concession operations on the grounds Lacking the clubhouse area of most showed great improvement in neatness. clubs at which major tournaments are At Westwood the concession tent was run, it was thought by an outsider ob- kept immaculate by the colored waiters server, prior to the tournament, that and busboys assigned to the place. Cherry Hills would be swamped and the Caddie instruction and assignment and service problem would have the manager, the storage of players' bags were excel- officials and guests on the verge of war- lently handled by the pro department at fare. In actual operation, Cherry Hills Cherry Hills, under the management of served with speed and neatness that Harold Long, and at Westwood where hasn't been beaten by any of the clubs. James Cockburn is pro in charge. Caddie Part of the answer was in the coopera- management at tournaments has come a tion of other Denver district club man- long way in the last 6 years, and seldom, agers with Manager Lawrence Marrin of now, does a player have to keep yelling Cherry Hills in loaning him expert wait- for his kid who may be at some remote ers. Another factor that solved the prob- spot around the clubhouse. lem was the service of meals al fresco on a veranda adjoining the dining room. An Green Section's outside bar, serviced from the clubhouse, Value Shows also was set-up and took part of the The U.S.G.A. Green Section's valuable rush load off the inside of the house. influence was evident in the condition of The use of emergency outdoor spots for the courses at Cherry Hills and West- serving the buffet luncheons was highly wood. At both places the Green Section successful at Merion Cricket club during turf culture recommendations have been the 1934 Open, and at Oakland Hills in carefully heeded. John Meade is chair- 1937, but at Cherry Hills this was handled man and Henry Hughes, greenkeeper at with ideal speed. Golf tournaments owe Cherry Hills. At Westwood, the positions considerably more than is realized to the are occupied, respectively, by Leo Bauman fine spirit of helpfulness that managers and Albert Linkoger. Greens at both of tournament clubs display in advising clubs were virtually as perfect ns putting the manager whose club is unaccustomed surfaces could be. Fairway lies at Cherry Hills were firmer than at West- wood, for the simple and adequate reason tridqton Highland) GC at tridgtan, Mi,, that turf culture in the St. Louis district where Jack Fithar, Jack Spratt, Charity Rice requires longer fairway grass. The con- and Ralph Barton taa Is It that thingi art dition was complicated the first day of kept In attractive condition lor the reiortari, the Western Open by rain having pre- pulled a lino publicity tM. During Air Mail vented fai rway mowing. After cutting weak, lha fin! flight of air mall Irom flridglsn was made possible, the fairway lies were took off from Highland) 10 lha club rtaitarttd highly satisfactory, and the turf was an 111 place In local hlilory. impressive demonstration of how first Setting a golf club lined up at en* of the feature tpoft of any local celebration, it grade turf can be obtained by a correct something worth ramtmbaring by other man- fertilizing and watering schedule in the ager t and prof- St. Louia sector, where fairway watering 1899 GOLFDOM Corpui Chrlitt [Teiesi GICC har Just com- his approaches to the pin strayed very pleted a $70,000 enlargament end Improve- slightly and left him with deep lies in ment program. Including an additional 9 thick grase out of which he had to play holes, a watering system. remodeling of the clubhouse and construction of a swimming precision approaches. The shot is the pool and tennis courts. A* a result ot the most difficult one in golf. Again at Cherry program, over TS new members have Joined Hills the shot ruined fellows who usually Ihe elub, are able to take a wedge-type niblick and • bang the ball up to a reasonable one-putt for some time was attended by the devel- distance from the flag. Sand traps by opment of heavily weeded turf, especially greens no longer are disturbing elements strong in crabgrass. to the stars, but that long grass from 10 Newspapers reported in great detail to 25 yards at the sides or backs of the complaints some pros made about the greens, has them troubled plenty. However, narrowness of fairways at Cherry Hills their voluble comments on the severity and the luxuriant, closely-knit rough of this hazard probably is one of the rea- immediately adjoining the fairways at sons why it will continue to be a feature that club. Regardless of the valid pros of National Open championship courses. and cons of the argument, the public's re- The reduction in maintenance costs re- action to the complaint was that if the sulting from use of this long grass as $ stars didn't like the rough, why didn't greens hazard is another reason why it they keep out of it, as Ihey were supposed will keep growing. The ordinary mem- to be able to do? Veteran tournament ber is in there often, but he is reconciled players commented that the rough wasn't to trouble. any tougher than it used to be prior to 1920, The oldsters ribbed the younger Spend Money to Attract Full players who complained, by saying that the low scores of the modern generation Membership, Club Says were made on courses where there was SOMETHING to think about, from a no rough that really could qualify as J Bulletin of the Tam O'Shanter GC rough under the earlier definition. (Chicago district): Rough Presents "The business concerns in the United Problem States today that are making money in Some players pointed out that the the faee of trying economic conditions, rough bordering the fairway was much are those that have the courage to judici- tougher than tbat farther away, for the ously spend their money when it should be reason that the cut-in fairways had been spent. Business men, bankers, and manu- well fertilized and watered. Consequently, facturers are beginning to realize that the so these fellows said, a very wild shot "tight-wad" policy which might have been frequently ended in a better lie than did successful in days gone hy, will not suffice a shot that just rolled into the fairway to meet competition in the new order of border. Ralph Guldahl, a smart player business which we have to face in the fu- as well as a mechanically great one, took ture. care of this by using a spoon off most "Let us apply this rule to the golf clubs tees so he wouldn't get a roll that might on the north side of Chicago. How many take a curved ball into tbe fairway fringe. clubs have gone bankrupt within five Guldahl also showed keen headwork In miles of here? How many clubs have shooting for the greens rather than the ceased being membership-only, and gone 11 ag, because the greens, in many in- over to public fee? Why have so many stances, were bordered by long grass. It done this? You know the answer—be- required extreme command of a shot to be cause they have not spent money and able to hack with delicacy and precision made the club attractive to bring in a out of that lush grass at the sides or back membership tbat would support their of a green, and many a player blew preci- needs." • ous shots from the thick grass as a result of having tried to draw too fine a line on Capt. Charles Clerk, veteran pro-mgr. of the Willowlck lee course at Clevalend, gives tome the pin. testimony on the velue of fee courses as nur- At Oakland Hills last year Ed Dudley series for prlvete club membership. In the 10 was especially unfortunate in blasting years Cep hes managed Willowlck, III ot its what appeared to be an excellent chance regular players have become private club to win the National Open title, because members In Cleveland. .