The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-19
~ JOHN q.

The question has been asked me sew
erAl times whether with a cash capital
OF $4,000 and a prospect Of an annual
income OF from $1,000 to $4,000 a party
OF golfers should venture to get ard
keep UP a nine hoIe course and Z such
a course would. prove fairly salts
factory.
| presume al irs, thought that the
matter seems absurd. but I know of a
few courses where the given conditions
obtain. and I would unhesitatinGly sd-
wise the venture provided the land Is
rolling and little excavation. blasting
or tree Telling need be tone.
l have in mind one club where BY
dint Of hard work. $4,000 uas raised,
a membership OF a hundred at $40
apiece aas partly flied. and the
vote passed to start work. Then In truth
began the scheminE and the figuring.
The members Of the committee we're
members Of other clubs and desired for
their summer playground a links which
would AFFORD a pleasant afternoon
sport at a moderate cost. But they
we're also wise enough to know that the
initial expense. for which they put aside
$500. must be for the links architect.
some Of the local members thought that
this was vas q terrible waste. that men
"'f' sse' 'FEh 49,
to know hov to lay out a few holes
and nus ave vhat seemed like a
big hole In the sum subscribed. IL took
some time for the others TO persuade
the unfamiliar golfers in embryo that
thousands OF dollars could be wasted by
a novice at golf architecture but IL was
finally accepted. and the FIRST class archi-
'ect arrived. The previous week he
had been engaged IN a course where the
MONEY In hA sn&pf ran nm tufn The hum
dreds Of thousands Of dollars. but when
he learned what money could be counted
on he said without hesitation hat for
the sum mentioned. 5000. a course
could be had which wouid not prove a
Joke. II vas true Of course that the
land was rolling. and there were no
trees % size to fell and not macy stores
20 be blasted. The LAND itself was
rented for $3.50. which about repre-
sen,ed the profits Of the farmer on his
hay.
The architect spent three days In
making his suggestions and put A force
OF twenty men on the Job, paying me
padrore In charge se15 a week. he
came back three times IN the course o.
the next ten weeks and at the end Of
that time reduced tn. squad to ive.
The green's had taken shape. seed had
been so~ed. projecting rocks had been
covered with earth to serve as bunk-rs,
and signs OF golf links began 10 appear,
THIS was in the fall. This spring an
other visit uas made for A couple OF
days. Instructions were given and but
Ave men assigned 10 the job the neces-
sary seeding and care vas given and
nov at a cost OF ft.Ioo there = a nine
hole links which looks TO BE- worth three
times the money. A barn done over
serves as the clubhouse and there is
even 4 professional on hand TO give
instruction and make repairs. The
membership u only a fer snort o. the
number needed for running expenses and
even II the sreeas are not any better
than some os the excellent far ways OF
some OF the cha np.onsn!p courses the
golfers look OF the cheerful side of
things since me putting surfaces are so
much better than some o. the fairDay.
In a year Dr. two the course promises 10
be excellent. and untll thai time to q
golfer this little morsel OF play W.!
seem like heaven in comparison Stth
tine thought OF having rom at all.
There are man. other places une-e
from $4,000 10 5000 a year will bring
happiness TO many in a community.
Take the AlpemaIie COLI Club for eX-
ample al West Newton. Mass. There
the members enjoy the play more than
anywhere I know. Yet the budget for
each year seld-m exceeds $4,000 and
the dues. -aIsed th.s year, are oo.y 80.
The Reading COZ Ciuo gets much from
4 medium expenditure ana so a.-o n
Mount. Tom and Amherst. where a fairly
decent course is Kept up at a cost o.
less than s5O0 a year. SO u is IN hur-
dreds o. courses OF which we hear little
II anything The news OF a hall million