The sun., 1897-09-06
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Presidept Sohn REID writes OF tire Course aud
How 20 Play Over II,

"o" ~ tiny VNet !"
They builded better than they knew"
might we'll be tho motto OF tho st. An.
drow's Club for to its founders, perhaps moro
than to any other cause or individual effort
may be attributed the Introduction of the
royal game into this country. Years be-
fore the average provincial had even heard Of
such game, the writer and few friends were
patiently enduring moro or less derision from
tho younger American athletes, but slowly
and surely making converts to the great
est OF all outdoor games, one which was des-
tined and is to-day giving more real genuine
and hcalthful pleasure to young and old of both
sexes than any other game or pastime OF which
wc have any record. Naturally, as tho game
developed, those taking it up and those who
may have had taste of II In their sojournings
In Scotland or England. also the young Scotch.
men and Englshmen who had come TO this coun.
try. were attracted TO the st. Andrews Club.
The old name, which is synonymous with the
royal game added, no doubt, to the attraction.
This, together with the fact that 1t is the rep
resentative club OF the great city OF New York,
has brought together In its membership many
representative men and prominent golfers
well known all over the United States, and
while they may not, In view OF the fact
that now almost every town and village
has Its golf club play regularly over its
links, still they proud to be members OF this.
the oldest and most strictly representative golf
club in America and one which, think, is des-
tined to occupy, to some extent at least, tho
position occupied by the old st. Andrews in
Scotland-that historic links, with its glorious
traditions, the Mecca of the golfer
When l say the most strictly representative
golf club mean that the game Of golf is not
here an adjunct or part of q social organization,
but is the object to which 1t is entirely devot
ed; at least, this has been tho policy Of our club
in tho past, and may assume that with Its re-
moval to its new home this line OF policy will be
strictly adhered to; consequently, with the beau.
tiful eighteen-hole course and improved condi-
tions, look to large addition to the member
ship of the club Of those devoted to the game
and dcsirous of maintaining its best traditions
Nearly two years ago the governors and
some of the prominent members OF tho club,
among whom wero Judge Horace Russell and
the late Theodore A. Havemeyer, by whose
death the club lost one OF its best friends and
most esteemed members, were impressed with
the necessity of acquiring a permanent home
for the club. and with this end In view formed
the st. Andrews Company This company pur-
chased what is known the Lawrence farm,
containing about 100 acres of land lying in the
valley OF the Sprain, just east Of Mount Hope
station, on the New York and Putnam Rail
road. and about two and one-half miles north of
the old links. This farm was most thoroughly
and carefully gone over by those directing the
undertaking., and was selected because OF its
peculiar fitness for the purpose desired About
the beginning Of the year and before the work
on the links was begun, the property was trans
ferred to the golf club.
Any one who has visited the new course
within the last few weeks will no doubt be able
to bear testimony as to the wisdom Of the selec-
full spots in Westchester county. and for an in
land golf course it is simply ideal, and as such
has no superior at home or abroad. OF course.
in speaking of golf courses strictly as
such, one must always yield the palm to
those links by the sea, such as ST. An
drcw's Sandwich, Westward Ho. and others
OF that ilk. but for what is known an inland
course l have never seen more beautiful or
played over a more interesting one than the
new st. Andrews. Not only does this apply. as
have said, TO our own courses in America, but
also to the many representative courses over
which l have played both in Scotland and
England
The topography of the course Is all that could
be desired to lend charm and give variety to tho
play. The first four holes are laid out on a
slightly sloping upland. the first drive being
from near the clubhouse to green over the
very highest point OF the links, the distance
being 332 yards. This green is well guarded by
natural hazards, and, the play is uphill. 1t Is
good tive-stroke hole. The second hole is
shorter. the distance being 293 yards, and the
drive being down hill, it may be considered a
hole. This green is one of the finest and
most beautiful l have ever seen. 1t must
be over 100 feet square. and extends to the
very edge of precipice the fine green
line showing clearly against the dark foliage OF
the trees. The third hole is very interesting
one, as mmediatcly in front of the tee is a small
hill shutting or view of the green. II the hill
is carried clean, good brassey or cleck shot will
reach the green, the distance from tee TO hole
being pa yards. The next. the fourth hole, is
the, longest Of the four. the distance 344 yards
and, although it is somewhat down hill, the
green can hardly be reached by the average
player in less than three shots.
The firth tee is quite markcd feature in the
round, as it introduces the player to the nine
holes of the course that are laid out on the
seventy-hvc acres OF meadow land. a perfectly
level and beautiful plain, intersected by two
three brooks. The drive from this tee. which is
at least 200 feet above the level of the valley
drive-but it must be a long one and straight
a good iron shot ought TO get the ball on the
the green is large one it is guarded by a brook
both in front and behind. The distance from tee
o3 :" hGf Be Is GOOD is for yhs hole should
The sixth hole is 1928 yards; the drive is across
the brook, and, as the lies are almost sure to be
within easy approaching distance OF the green
which is guarded by an oblique bunker about
thirty to forty yards from the hole. This |
should say. is a hole. although the player
who can get on the green with his second shot
will no doubt make it in 4 quite often. The
next hole is the second longest on the course.
the distance being IL yards. The drive is from
a bluff about thirty feet above the plain To in
sure this hole in 5. the hazard, which is about
13O yards from the tee, must be well carried:
then brassey and n good long iron will get you
on the green. This hole has to be played with
great care and nice calculation to distance,
as the green is guarded by two brooks about
thirty yards apart. which you cross to a large
green cut into the hillside on the far side OF the
brook.
The next is the eighth hole. and, although
only 1877 yards, Is exceedingly interesting as 1t
is guarded In front by the canal and behind by
the old Sprain Brook. Good drivers will use an
iron or driving mashie. and should. bar mis-
takes. get the hole in 81; otherwise it may
cost or @. The next, the ninth. is a long
one; of 397 yards, The drive is across the brook.
player until he reaches the green. which he
ought to gain il 3, although some good.
making the hole in 4: this will probably be.