The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-19
CITY GOLF LINKS.
Movement Launched to Lay Out
Public Links Here.
Small Charge tO-Pay the Cost of
Maintenance.
PLACES ARE LIMITED.
Country Club Is Only Place for
Game in Topeka.
Railway Officials and Business
Men Behind 1t.
PLACES ARE LIMITED.

A movement has been launched
among railroad officials and others in
Topeka to influence the city commits
sioners to lay out public golf links o.
nine holes somewhere near the city
The matter will be taken up with the
commissioners and an attempt will be
made to form plans for the beginning
of this work this spring.
1t is declared by golf enthusiasts IN
Topeka who are not members OF the
Country club that there are hundreds
of people in the city who own golf clubs
and who play the game-but who are
either unable to stand the expense OF
entering the Country club or who are
not able to enter this organization.
1t is contended, also. that public goit
links in the city would make the game
a popular amusement and would at
tract scores of business and office men
who otherwise have nothing to occupy
their spare time or who have no means
of out door sports and exercise
There are only 200 members of the
Topeka Country club. These members,
only, are allowed to play on. the links
supported by that club in the south
western part of the city. They are al
lowed, by the rules of the organization
to entertain out of town guests on the
links-but a ban is placed on Topeka
friends.
Railroad men in Topeka are especially
worked up over golf. This city is the
headquarters of the Santa Fe and the
Rock Island-naturally there are many
prominent officials who have been
members of clubs in other cities, who
desire to continue their playing.
But it isn't only the brass collars"
who are anxious to find a place for
their favorite sport. Many business
men and office clerks would take up thu
game if the city maintained a public
links at a nominal charge.
Links Built Near Gage Park.
1t is suggested that the links be built
in the proposed addition to Gage park
or in any practical location near the
outskirts of the city. The city itself
would stand the expense and as a re-
turn it is proposed that a charge be
made a game or an hour or an after
noon for the players.
The only expense after the links were
laid out would be in the maintenance
One man with a horse and a mower
hired by the day could keep up the
grounds. This should not cost more
than 81 day, say the enthusiasts.
In laying out the links, tees, greens
and bunkers could be made at very lit
tie representation only. A small shelter
for use in case of rain could be built for
less than $3.50. The entire cost of form
ing this public golf links could be paid
for in the course of a month through
the fees obtained from players.
Then interviewed this afternoon on
the matter E. B. Stotts, city commits
sioner, who is in charge of parks. said:
Il have not heard of this plan but on
thu face of it, it looks good to me. ]
will do all in my power to establish
these links in case I see that it viii
pay the city and will be practicable"
George Hetherington, a Rock Island
official, said:
This looks like a paying proposition
to me. Topeka needs amusements-and
this is something that would be popC-
lar Other cities have public golf links
why not Topeka?"