The sun., 1916-12-24
Leads the World at Swhnmmg and Its Nhdov Are Preparing for Further Assaults on Records
GOLF WAS PLAYED
IN AMERICA IN 1871
William Harden Finds Evil
dence Of Club Made Up Of
Savannah Residents.
INVITATION GIVES FACTS

Since the death Of John Reid. sr.,
Of st. Andrews. generally considered
tho father Of American golf and the
man who introduced the popular Scot
tish pastime in America, historians are
digging deep into the musty archives Of
this country and in some cases are md
ing data which may shed . little light
upon the sport. Recently a Charleston.
8. c.. enthusiast found mention Of a
0olf club called TO order IN 1874. but no
mention Of links or course Is made. Now
vowity Fat~ will publish in Its current
issue an article by william Harden OF
the Georgia Historical Society In which
Harden offers substantial proof that
golf was played near Savannah a hun
dred years ago.
Harden bases his deductions upon an
Invitation issued in Savannah December
20. 1911. In which Miss Eliza Johnston
was asked to attend a ball to be given
by the members OF the golf club at the
missive was signed by George Woodruff.
Robert Mackay. John Craig and James
Dickson, as managers OF the club. and
George Hogarth. treasurer. In his ar
ticle Harden offers evidence to prove
these characters were true and impor-
tant personages In Savannah at that
time.
Legendary Period Ancient.
There are two chief periods In the
history OF golf In America first. the 40
called mythical period. or h years be-
fore 1880: and second. the period be-
ginning with the opening OF golf clubs
at st. Andrews and Shinnecock." writes
Harden. The object Of this article is
to show that the legendary period really
ended o seventy years earlier than
Is commonly supposed.
"In 1911 there we're only two newspa-
pers published in Savannah. One was
called the Colombian Museum aud Sd-
r1nnuh Advertiser and the other the
Republtcur uad Savannah Erenip0
Ledger. With the purpose in view of as
c%ertaining whether any printed mention
OF the club was made by the press OF
the town, a very careful inspection OF
the iles OF these papers was made. The
Colun, ban Museum revealed the follow
ing notice dated Monday. November 25
1911:
THE members OF the Golf Club are
requested TO NEE; at the exchange this
evening at Z O'clock
Miss Johnston Society Belle.
Miss Eliza Johnston was ono Of tho
bellies Of Savannah when the exchange
was the scene OF 80 many balls ant
dinner parties. She was the daughter oi
Col. James Johnston. one Of the leading
! citizens OF Savannah. who held man,
positions Of trust. He was a merchant
Colone! OF the First Regiment of Georigs
Volunteers and a trustee OF the ex
change from 1904 to 1910.
1T Is a pity that no list OF the mem
bers Of the Savannah Golf Club has a
! yet been discovered. We have only tn
names Of the treasurer and the man
ayers. II IL 4 remarkable fact that al
| OF these men were Scotchmen. Thu
were likewise men OF promi
hence IN the life OF Savannah.
George Woodruff was q merchant o
tho Arm of Woodruff & Brant. and II
1909 was the treasurer OF the Chatham
. Academy. an educational institution
/ chartered in 1888. He was an Alderman
o. Savannah IN 1903.
Robert Macksy vas also a prominen
! merchant. He was for n long time
member OF the firm OF Mein & Mackay
lie married Miss Eliza Mcqueen. daugh
ter OF John Mcqueen. January 30, 1900
Their descendants are prominent Il
Savannah right now.
Craig was . Banker.
John Craig was In business with n
Mitchell. using the firm name OF J.. Grail
& r. Mitchell Craig was a commissions
OF tho Planters Bank OF the state o
Georgia In 1911. lie died In 1915.
James Dickson died In 1895. He Ief
no will and no heirs, Admin!stratio
papers show that no property went int
the hands OF tho administrator
"In must be borne In mind that Il
the days Of which We are writing news
papers seldom commented on sports o
social functions. Even In h matte
Of assembly balls. although advertise
ments OF them were printed In In
papers, nothing was said EDITORIAL,
Considering all the evidence. then. (
cannot he doubted hat residents o
Savannah played golf more than n cen
fury ago, n that. In tho absence O
evidence to the contrary. Savannah ca
fairly claim the honor OF being one q
the FIRST places in the country that coul