Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-04-28
Friday. April % 1911
An ADDITIONAL ATTRACTION FOR
ATAUNToN

1t cannot have failed to attract the
notice of thoughtful men throughout
Virginia, that in our usual climate our
State has a valuable possession. Cool
enough to Danish all tropical and sub
tropical diseases, our winters are gen.
orally open and not severe, while our
autumns leave nothing to be desired.
During much of the time between one
summer ara the following spring, out
door sports can be carried on, and to
this fact is due the prosperity of many
of the pleasure resorts of this and of
more southern states. Ever since the
Civil War the taste for athletic sports
has been steadily spreading among the
American people until they have al
most the same grasp here that they
have long had in England. Tennis.
baseball and football are of absorbing
interest to our young people, and even
to thousands who have to play them
rs q Japanese minister is reported to
have danced, that is by hiring some
one to do it tor them. These games
demand such skill and activity on the
part Of the players that those who
have passed the hey-day of youth or
who lack the time for the necessary
practice, must be content with the
humble post Of spectator.
There is a game that can be played
by any man or woman of ordinary
physical vigor, and one whose fascina-
ton grows on every one who plays it.
This is golf, and since it's introduction
into thu. country some eighteen years
ago, it has spread widely, 1t is gen.
tleman's game, free from professional
ism and commercialism. 1t gives an
exhiIarating outdoor sport, with am
pie exercise that calls into play all the
faculties of mind and body without
physical exhaustion Oh mental excite
ment. 1t is an ideal game for the tired
professional or business man and its
devotees will 60 wherever it can be
played.
Because of these facts, a golf course
has become leading feature with all
autumn, winter and spring resorts.
The great popularity of the Virginia
Hot Springs is largely due to it's excel
lent golf links and the great Bon Air
Hotel near Augusta, Ga, numbered
the President among its guests when
he was in quest Of his favorite game.
A perfect links with suitable bunkers,
cannot be easily found, and where the
lay of the land is such as to allow one
to be had with little or no artificial aid,
advantage should be taken of it to add
another and a powerful attraction to
the place SO fortunate as to have it.
Such site exists here in Staunton,
and its development would be well
worth the small trouble and cost it
would entail. Commencing at the up
per end of Gypsy Hill Park near the
uncovered pavilion and winding
along the left side of the road leading
up the hill with several turns that
finally bring it back to the starting
point, is an excellent course for nine
teen hole links that will fulfil all re-
quirements. If the Council will place
this tract of land in the hands of
Board of Trustees who will develop it
for the benefit Of the public, it will not
only add great pleasure to the lives
Of our own citizens, but will put into
Staunton an attraction that will draw
strangers and make our city a resort
for winter visitors. The projected links
have already been surveyed. and a
number of gentlemen are ready to
act as trustees, who will see that our
beautiful park is not abused nor de.
stroyed by careless or reckless parsons.
Everything possible should be done to
promote the uss of our parks and
by taking this action the council
will extend their usefulness among
our own people and attract outsiders
who will ada to the prosperity OF
our city.