Evening star., 1909-09-01
GOLF COURSE TIED UP
No Money to Complete Rock
Creek Links.
lit is ALL BUT FINISHED
Cups, Tees and Small Things Alone
Are Needed.
NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE
Prophecy of Failure of Interest
Refuted by Results in Other Cities
Which Have Public Courses.

Ine natural nine-hoe golf course in
Rock Creek Park which the Commission
ers have had prepared Is all but finished.
Now, as there is public money avail
able to complete some minor improve
ments on this fine course golf lovers not
affiliated with local clubs are defeated of
this prospect of good sport
All because several hundred dollars is
not available. The Commissioners have
no way of getting it because the appro
priations given by Congress at the last
session will have to be used for specific
purposes.
A number of cups for the holes and
are all that is lacking.
In Congress and elsewhere it has been
predicted that such public course would
not be a success. This idea. it is de-
clared is refuted absolutely by the ex-
periences at the Van Courtlandt course
in New York city and other similar
courses in Pittsburg, Philadelphia and
Chicago.
Opposition in Congress.
When the matter was brought up in one
of the committee rooms of Congress dur
ing the last session a representative, it is
49, >.-S
use of having public golf course in the
District of Columbia. Possibly in his par
ticular section of the country the folk do
not care especially for the ancient and
royal game Perchance milking the cows
early In the afternoon and retiring as the
shades of dusk are falling are more to
their taste.
Washington folk are fond of golf as
game It's peculiar fascination, 1t was in
dicated justified the national fathers In
doing something to establish the course
Thus the matter stands at the present
time with the links practically finished
and small amount of cost blocking
many eager Washingtonians from play.
The result will be, if some philanthrop1c
Washingtonian does not come to the 'front.'
and put up the necessary money. that the
links will lie idle throughout the coming
fall and nothing will be done.
Congress. OF course will be appealed to
at the coming session. This time pres
sure may be brought to bear and the ap-
preparation successfully urged.
Smiling Country Side.
On all sides OF this course on hundreds
of acres the meadows are spangled with
flowers and the whole earth seems bed
of bloom and color. At all times in this
natural picnic ground there will always
be galleries as we'll as golfers. Walking
paths lead through the park for miles.
while the driving is equally attractive. TO
one who enjoys equestrian exercise the
opportunities are almost matchless.
Many paths are along the golf course.
Rock Creek Park is an interesting mid
die ground between the north and south
for the fora and fauna of the country.
Birds that are rarely seen in the north
and others still that are rarely seen In
the south are regular visitors 10 the
beautiful woods. In the direct line of
the wonderful migration of the northern
and southern birds, il is the permanent
habitat of some remarkable songsters in
the bird world. Nearly a hundred spe-
cies are familiar to bird lovers about the
park.
Situation Of Links.
The links as at present arranged can
easily be reached from the 14th street
cars. E. NJ. Talcott, engineer in charge
Of the street extension work of the Dis
trict government, under the directions of
the Commissioners, laid out the golf
course.
He is most enthusiast site as to the possi-
bilities of making the course a successful
one if Congress or a philanthropic citi-
zen will put up the necessary amount.
1t is pointed out that the course could
easily be added to and eighteen holes
completed.