New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-24
THE IDEAL GOLF LINKS
&. b. Macdonald Tells of HIS Plans
for National Course.

The dream OF Charles B. Macdonald, TO build
an ideal golf course in this country each hole
to be patterned after some famous hole in Eng
land or Scotland. continues without interruption
and Mr.. Macdonald. who is now abroad, has
gone so far as 70 give name TO the new links
He styles it the National Golf Course Of Amer
lea.
While definite plans have yet been made,
Mr.. Macdonald is very much in earnest and is
working diligently 20 further his scheme. He
has asked Walter J. Travis to act as the repre-
sentative OF the subscribers in this country
while he is abroad. One hundred men have al
ready pledged themselves in the sum of $1,000
each 10 help secure the land and build the course
when the right time comes. 1t is planned to
purchase enough land so that the original sub
scribers can build on the property If they de-
sire.
Just what Mr.. Macdonald Is doing in the mat
ter is best explained in his own words in a let
ter to Walter J Travis. written from London, as
follows:
T. may interest you 70 know that the project for
building q national golf course IS being advanced
81, % %, Yi ~ com ClDe WIZ N t ne hece 7s
ers IN America and Great Britain. Several sites
among three localities at varying distances from
In the mean time am making it my business
70 gather together all the requisite data obtain
able in Great Britain so that the national American
features Of the classic links IN England and Scot
land II IS impossible u settle the distances and
nature Of the eghteen holes until the opinions of
&c 1tsl players nave peen colated and the whole
matter thoroughly ventilated IN the press Of both
countries
intend to devote two months to the task OF pro-
curing and examining all the data on this Side OF
the Atlantic and shall De able when I return in
maps Il ali the best holes IN this ' o0un{ry So thaI
We shall have q number TO choose from. and so be
VIII not only be Ear superior to anything at pres
ent existent IN America, but win surpass in variety
ana true golh2g quality even the classic links Of
O. We shall then be able to proceed at once TO the
n the course.
Mr.. Macdonald. although a native Of Scotland
has made this country his home for nearly
thirty years, and he is, therefore, now regarded
rs an American. When he returns he will have
IN his pocket as II were. all the classic holes
Of Great Britain. Then he VIII set 10 work 10
reproduce these treasures on the rolling downs
Of Long Island.
Doubts have been expressed on the. other side
as 10 the ability Of those interested 10 fully real
re Their ambitions To begin with. it is claimed
mat inns country does not possess the natural
conditions necessary 10 the best links The
Islands Of Great Britain are surrounded by q
fringe Of sandy dunes while exquisite turf and
Of the golfer.
While America IS less fortunate in natural ad-
hailiages, those interesting themselves in this
enterprise nave money determination and in
Ventive genius Water can be taken from the
earth as well as the clouds The sand is there
on Long Island in abundance. so that after all
ne rest is largely a matter OF money. Mr.
Macdonald has this advantage: He VIII be able
70 lay out eighteen holes which shall be good
Tor ne rubber cored ball Many Of the best
courses IN Great Britain have been spoiled from
The point Of view Of the first class Dlaver he
cause Of the new ball.
Mr.. Macdonald has taken a house at HovlaJze.
where ne VIII reside TIL after the amateur cham
plonShip OF Great Britain, 10 be held there the
latter part Of May, has been decided