New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-22
New olh, MarCn 81 j.
Thomas W. Whittle. ESQ.,
Commissioner of Parks.
Borough of Bronx,
NJ NnrL- l,itA-

New Olh, Maftn - lFlf
Thomas W. Whittle, Esq,
Commissioner of Parks.
Borough of Bronx,
New York City.
Dear Sir: This suD-committee Of the
general committee on golf, Borough OF
Bronx. desires to lay before YOU what
We, after careful consultation and study
of the situation, believe TO be the needs
of the golf courses under your jurisdic-
tion and the urgent needs of that large
public who find their greatest pleasure
in the use of the same.
These matters have been taken up by
our chairman, Colonel Draper, tentatively
with you. and he has reported his very
cordial reception and his discussion with
YOU, and at your request We respectl ulIy
submit the following, which we believe
will tend TO conserve and enhance the
value OF the golf courses and greatly add
TO the pleasure of the increasing number
who use the links at Van COrtlandt and
Pelham parks.
First-'rhe licensing Of all players
Second-The piping OF the putting greens
at Pelham
Third-An additional eighteen O0 hole
course at Van Cortlandt
Fourth-The proper policing Of the
courses
Fifth-The strict enforcement Of the
rules and regulations OF golf as laid
down by the United States Golf Associa-
tion.
Sixth-Increase in number OF lockers at
Van COrtandt
First-LCensing of Players: The great
object Of tins is TO give the commissioner
control over the players lie can cancel
a PLAYERS license il he dsObeys the rules
Of the course as laid down by the COM
| missioner or Injuries the course. as hap
pens all too frequently. The committee
is Of the opinion that fee OF 81 should
he charged for a license, and II would
cover clerk hire postage, stationery and
other incdentals i'm the commissioner :
office. No one could possibly object 70
this small sum for the great privileges
extended. Annual dues at private courses
range from So 10 500 The holder Of a
license should be required TO show it at
the course on arrival and whenever re
qucsted TO do so by an authorized park
cmplovc. The license should be in the
form OF a card. small enough TO fit in the
pocket and should bear the signature OF
the player. residence, etc.
SccOnd-PipiuE the putting greens AZ
Pelham: This is of prime necessity. as
these greens. which should have a per
icct sod are in Wrctchcd condition and
no amount Of work can make them any
better without water. With this piping
and proper work on the putting greens
the Pelham links would be as beautiful
and perfect as are those at Van Cort-
iandt. which have abundant water.
Thrd-AU additional eighteen hole links
~ Van COrtlaudt: This course is so ac-
Cessibie that n has reached a state OF
congestion. which II continued will result
most dlsastrOusly not alone 10 the course
itself but 10 the spirit OF the game and
the pleasure OF the players. As an i'm
stance. on recent holiday two hundred
players had received cards before
O'Clock I'm the morning As IT takes al
average Of four minutes TO start couple
from the first tee, this would mean that
fifteen pairs. or thirty persons, started
per hour. ana the last couple had waited
for six hours 10 play. This Of course
does not include the many others who
came after Z O'Clock. The congestion If
most notable on Saturday afternoons
no hgHnntf D.
almost as bad any day i'm the week. II
is the cause Of much pickering, dispute
and danger. and can only be remedied by
giving the public additional facilities. Fort
uuatelv. this can be attained by the
completion Of the partially constructed
nine holes on the plateau above the pres
ent course. and adding thereto nine
others There IS ample room for this
purpose either by a rcarrangcment OF the
present course 10 include some Of the
new holes or a. best ITS the territory
This committee desires 10 offer its serN-
ices IN the laying out OF the new course,
either as a committee or Individually.
FOurth-Policing the courses. This can
be done either by regular police or 10y
authorized park employees. They could
prevent tho stealing Of balls. which IL
most prevalent. could require strict OBJ
servatiOn Of the rules. avoiding many dis
Dutcs. and could enforce order and Tcgu-
late play We deem this most essen
tial point. as the courses are infested
With ball thieves who sell their caiings
DpfilFs hifD. many rough ana alHOrderIy
persons annoy and delay tho PLAYERS
Firh-The rules and regulations Of the
United = atcs Golf Association are the
same aB those adopted not alone at every
private and public links Boa the United
States. bat all over the world They are
simple a1d. II properly enforced by the
cornfnIsslOn'r. viii greatly enhance the
value Of the links. save money for the
parks and add 10 the pleasure Of all con-
cernT0
glxth-Tncrcasc in the number Of lockers
~ Van Cortland. Ag tie record boo the
1ouuiseiOner'R office viii show. the pres
cnf number ~ lockers ~ most inadequate"
Al additional one hundred would about
mn thc needs ~ The public ono year n
rental would pas for tb" new lockers
readily A. ihe present time som" OF ~"
lockers are occupied b} thIcr persons ~"
locker room IL very badly lighted. Addi-
1891 L..L-L. -L.--.-.-.LL.L