New-York tribune., 1900-12-02
GOLF.
NORRIS CoUNTYs ATTRACTIVE HOME
AND SOME OF ITS FEATURES.
WOMEN PROMINENT FACTOR IN CLUB
LIFE-THE COURSE AND ITS HIS
TORY ACCESSIBILITY ONE
OF ITS CHIEF CHARMS.


Situated on ninety acres Of rolling meadowlan;
on the outskirts OF Morristown the clubhouse.
buildings and links OF the Morris County Golf Club
in many respects the most representative of the
hundreds of similar organizations throughout the
country devoted to golf. What has given Morris
County its popularity? Several things. First OF all
It's links which have been the OF two Ma
tional championships and scores Of less important
local contests. But nowadays good course is not
the only essential n a club would become popular
Golf lends itself with peculiar adaptabiiity TO the
pleasant social life which centres about the success
ful country club II is the society at Morristown,
charming its love OF outdoor sports and lavish in
its expenditure for them, that has made the club
what Il is The is good but without the
Twomblys. the Kips. the Tildens. the Flaggs. the
ThOmases and the Tierses Morris County would be
no more than hundreds of other clubs equally we'll
greened.
1t is an attractive place this little garden spot OF
golf Taking Of the hacks that do duty be
tween the village proper and the grounds, the
visitor is driven through shady avenues hanked by
tall trees. through which, he approaches the
links. he catches glimpse of the greenest of green
turf, dotted here and there by players in their
brilliant scarlet. and beyond. the takes in
wider perspective. the clubhouse, with its white
pillars and broad veranda. set down in the midst
OF a level lawn a broad driveway leads up to the
house. and the guest aIghts upon a spacious
piazza, commanding view OF the first hole. with
its outgoing stream OF players and little tables and
comfortable looking chairs give an inviting aspect
OF hospitality.
II the visitor arrives by train he need not go TO
Morristown proper, but may step off the within
stones throw of the house. This accessibility To
quick railroad facilities is of the clubs chief
advantages and another potent factor in its sue
cess since II enables the members doing business
in NewYork TO leave the train right at the grounds
and enjoy a practice round before going home to
dinner. Possibly three other cIubs-Nassau Ards
ley and Shinnecock-may be included in the list OF
the favored ones having similar railroad facilities
but Morris County probably leads them all.
Those who backed the project in 1895 have not
been surprised at the clubs success Morristown
made for golf. and with a Jealous and con-
genial membership the result was never in doubt.
curious part about il all is that the thing was
done by women. Men played no part in those early
days OF organization The game just becom-
ing known in this country. and an eighteen hole
course unheard of. Seven holes the
dimnutve distance laid out by the feminine found
ers The management during the first year was
entirely in the hands of women. headed by Miss
Nina Howland president and Mrs. II. Mckay
Twombly vice-president. Their was
meteoric. Hardly the club started before the
seven holes became too small. and more land was
necessary The waiting list contained more names
than the original membership roll. Some of the
prominent residents realizing the growth the game
was to enjoy. decided upon Incorporation. The
capital stock of the golf company fixed
at $50 OOO the par value of each share being $1OO
This was in December, 1870. Ihe nrst SharehOld-
ers were Marmaduke TiIden. Charles Bradley.
Alexander N Tiers Richard II. Williams Paul
Revere. George G. Frelingnuysen and r. H.
Thomas. The active management of affairs passed
into the hands Of these men, though the Women :
Committee has always been retained
The modest clubhouse was also enlarged 10 make
room for the new element. To-day IL Is a capacious
building OF Colonial design, and. while surpassed in
luxury OF appointment by many Others il Is COM
Portable 20 unusual degree. On the first floor
ubfn 10 aIsn
used for dances balls and other club functions:
the smoking room. kitchen and locker rooms, while
the second story both wings is given over 10
small rooms for the steward and other employees.
The main portion Of the building contains but one
story. although at either Side of the reception
stairs leading to spacious entresos. fitted
up dining quarters for the members and their
guests An open fireplace opposite the main door
way gives an added attractiveness to this portion
of the house.
Stepping from the broad piazza the player finds
himself facing the first and ready begin the
round which has called forth such warm praise
from golfers both sides of the water II Is an
interesting journey, this dipping down into the
huge punch bowl then across the edge OF a
ridge rolling turf; skirtng the woods.
sweeping across the level stretches. and home
again across the ravine. II makes a golfers blood
tingle and his eye brighten to the fautless
rangement OF traps. greens and bunkers. for. while
the course is not easy one. there Is no unfair
penalty in store for the man who 'bdes the zee a
the ba'.' At the time OF the women's champion
ship in 1896 when Robert Cox presented his chal-
lenge cup to Beatrix Hoyt. Morris County had an
eighteen hole course OF 4.157 yards In October Of
the following year this had been increased to 50S4
yards. the added length being newly purchased
ground To-day the club has a circuit of more
than 5000 yards-a course to reward out-and-Out
golf and discount all but the most skilfu play.
On Tuesday James A Tying and Howard CoIey
will meet for It's championship. and keen interest
. he mt of ba fnh Ty,g vras
champion last year. but In the spring his laurels
were taken from him by {. F. Watson. In the
present contest Watson not a competitor, hav-
ing left Morrstown extensive hunting trip.
The course over which this championship will be
decided is one Of sterling merit and brief de-
scrptton OF its salient features should be Of in
terest TO every follower Of the game. Starting
from the first tee the player crosses the famous
punch bowl" distance of 23s yards to terraced
hill approaching the green make 1t a hard hole for
ond hole the player crosses the further edge OF
the punch bowl for a distance of 10 yards to a
The chief hazards here the sides Of the bowl
making necessary the same sort of care as called
of play crosses road and TWO nicely placed
yards SAND traps lie in vail for Sized bali
while pun viii likely go "oUt OF bounds"
crosses the railroad embankment with it's over
hanging wires Many a good drive has been
allows second attempt without penalty. and once
Good tees abound the fifth hole. which brings
the player back across the faultess turf 10 the
same railroad embankment. but with the novelty
of two sand traps TO penaliZe both the and the
second shots. The distance here is $40 yards and
the boyle ). Turning back again for the sixth
hole. the field Is recrossed and the green Is
found 362 yards just beyond a fringe OF trees
This obstruction acts as hazard should the ball
be pulled though players have been known
drive over IL successfully BOgie is 3 The seventh
Is a good Leaving the tee. the bail should
carry a ditch in front and a sand pit further
II IL has been sliced the woods have caught It, and
II pulled II has probably found Its way into
innocent looking trap But II neither OF these fates