Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-18
CLUB TO HAVE
FOUR COURSES
Each Will Consist of l8
Holes-One Will Be for
Women
By CHARLES (CHICK, EVANS. JR.


The Olympia Fields Country Club is
a mammoth proposition. and the size
of its membership is staggering to con-
template. 1t is not in any sense niaro
golf club, although there VIII be four
eighteen-hole courses when the plans
are put in full execution and there VIII
be room for a practice course besides
All the courses are expected to be OF
high class but one will be of real cham
pionship quality, severe test. and one
of the courses will be for women. Other
sports. such as tennis and shooting and
so forth, will be provided.
| heard man, who is now one Of
the most enthusiastic members of the
Olympia Fields Club. say that when the
idea of a gigantic country club with null
tiple golf courses was first suggested
by Mr.. Beach fears were entertained
for the latter's sanity. What Mr.. Beach,
Mr.. Stagg Mr.. Dean, Justice MacGoorty
and other Olympan pioneers accom-
plished seems miraculous. The idea OF
so large a club and yet with carefully
selected membership was so new that
great prejudice had to be overcome.
Had to Get Land
Sufficient land of the right kind had
to be obtained and there were many who
doubted II so large "a tract OF suitable
land could be found in the vicinity Of
! Chicago. Yet we saw 1t a week ago
! Sunday, GOO or 700 acres of fine golfing
| land that was farm and woodland just
| a few years ago and now has one fine
| eighteen-hole course. 1t is twenty-four
| miles from Madison street and there Is
/ excellent transporta tion-quick service
| by the Illinois Central, n station on the
grounds and no bus, and fine auto
mobile road from the city.
One eighteen-hOle course Is now play
! able, and IL was there "A week ago Sun
| day that the Red Cross match was
played. The crowd came out by thou
sands to see the match and TO see the
! course, for here was a case in which
there was more curiosity about the
| course than about the match. and the
| curiosity was abundantly satisfied. II is
| truly a wonderful course, good even now
In spite of its newness. Naturally the
! putting greens are uneven making good
| green's is a matter of years. but these
are we'll formed and generally promis-
ing. The fairgreen is in pretty good
shape, too, and each tree-enCircled hole
sweeping over the undulating ground is
like a separate picture. Butterheld
Creek Is there. too, furnishing both
natural beauty and natural hazards, and
1t has been cunningly utilized for both.
The first hole is very fine one. II Is
of excellent length, for II you are bold
and long enough in the curve you can
get home in two with ease.
Criticism Unjust
heard some one criticize the third
hole because II is blind. but think such
criticism mistaken. No one cares less
for poor blind hole than ]. but have
happy memories of the famous one-shoi
holes abroad which are not unlike this
} third at Olympia Fields. have specially
in mind the sixth and eighth at Sand
wich.
There is nothing prettier than thost
tree-bordered greens at Olympia; they
have one disadvantage, however; they
provide an excessive penalty for {
missed shot. The right way to play {
shot out of the grass, or bunker. Is Il
hit il hard. and even the expert, owint
20 peculiarity of lies. may go furthe
than he ever intended. and considerable
may happen to him amid the groves o
Olympia, but those shaded greens are ;
JOY to see.
The terracing Of the greens is wei
, done and the rolls and angles all right
, There is plenty of long hitting on tn
course. but that. too. Is right. for It ha
probably anticipated the faster ball
The whole course is excellent, and
think that without doubt II Is the bes
, work that Tom Bendelow. the well
i known architect. has yet done. unIes
am much mistaken. when all the bunk
err are put n anl Al the rehpeHe1nf
nfls1 01Vmrio;e No. 4 &MG1D IN
:, -. - - - :. d.