The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-09


Two important DEVELOPMENTS have
taken place in Topeka golf circles this
winter. The Country club has COM
pleted plans, purchased ground and
started work on the additional nine
noles to the present course. The club
mouse Will be rebuilt, a locker house
VIII be constructed and a swimming
pool is planned. The Shawnee club
has practically decided to buy the land
II uses in Highland Park and a stock
issue will be floated~ this spring for
the permanent funds.
The action of the Shawnee club is
most important to golf in Topeka. 1t
assures a membership of at least 225
golfers in addition to the large mem
bership of the Country club. 1t means
eventually a permanent clubhouse and
the location for one of the finest golf
links in Kansas. Located within one
block of the Highland Park car line.
@oursing over hills and into valleys
win endless natural hazards and laid
out by the dean of golf architects
Donald Ross, the Shawnee club has
brilliant future.
The Shawnee grounds have been
used for the last six years as a nine
hole course. The remaining nine holes
have been laid out and the Donald
loss plans are complete. Preliminary
work in the planting of trees and
shrub bery and in the location of traps
and bunkers is complete. This was
originally planned to be the perma-
this organization purchased additional
land adjoining its present links. The
Shawnee members will pay $4,000 for
the course-a most satisfactory price
considering the land. the proximity to
the city. the expensive preliminary
work and the permanent improve
ments
Shawnee members, however, must
prepare to wage a member-to-mem-
Der campaign for the purchase of the
nor ~ CT ooh Z,
committee of arrangements has met
with the County club and an agree
ment has practically been reached.
This report will be presented to the
board of directors and eventually to
the stockholders for final approval.
1t simply means that the members
of the Shawnee club will hereafter
have real interest in the club and it's
holdings instead of small member
ship fee that would be worthless after
the lease ON the grounds expired in
1880.
There is no other city in the country
the size of Topeka where a golfer may
join club with a 800 stock member
ship fee and dues at only $25 a year.
Country club golfers who had hoped
TO be able to play on the New Nine"
this season undoubtedly will be dis
appointed. Altho the additional sew
enty acres have been cleared, fifty
acres have been plowed and seeded.
a careful nursing of grass this season
will place the ground in good shape
for the 1922 playing. There is
chance, President West believes, that
u few holes may be laid out on the
New Nine" this summer. These
holes would be ideal for the timid new
players who hesitate at standing up
to a tee on a crowded day. Owing
TO the increased membership of the
Country club the new holes may be
pressed into service for at least Satur-
Gay afternoons and Sundays.
The Country clubs plan for a swim |
ming pool is meeting with enthusiasm
among the members. This VIII form I
an added attraction to members who, |
thus far, have been able to avoid the
bite Of the golf bug. Incidentally it
will enable the Annette Kellermans to
continue their Y. W. c. A. instructions
without the former separation from
golf fiendish husbands.
Dctor Billings's return to Topeka
means much to the Shawnee club
membership. He is one of the "Old
Originals and his siX-foot form has
covered scores of miles over the High
land course. Doctor Billings was re-
sponsible for the engagement of Char
lie Flanders as earetaker of the club.
Disagreeable weather conditions
the weather that irritates the class
pIayer-often have an opposite effect
Shawnee club, who entered golf late
last season. and who never has been
shooting better than 5S and 60 for the
nine. brought in a 4S during the juve-
nile cyclone last Sunday.
In the east the women are adopt
ing knickerbockers as the correct golf
dress. Last year several Country club
sSoung matrons went so far as to make
the purchases but never did they ap-
pear in public in the fashionable gar
ments. This season there is serious
threat on the part of these women to
blossom out despite their nervous hus-
bands.
George Stawitz has opened
horseshoe honor rolf for members
OF the Shawnee club. Beginning with
January Stawitz has posted the names
of players who have holed out rabbit
foot shots. He promises to maintain
the record turnout the year. George
doesn't recognize ability or stability.
in his own fearless way he decides on
the unseen power that guides golf
balls-and the players must take the
consequences. Here is his list to date:
Jan. %. Thrapp. 1 on 5.
Feb. l 2, Wilcutts, 2 on 9.
Jan. Is, Flanders. 2 on 9.
Feb. IS. Sumey. 8 on 1.
March ~. Studdard. 9 on Z.
March 10. Ben Wolf. on ..
March II. Sumey. 3 on 4.
April 4, Bub Crow, 3 on s.
Last Sunday was like rare day in
western Kansas on the Country club
links. The stiff south wind picked up
the soil and seed from the New Nine
acreage and slapped it into the faces
Of the players on the "Old Nine" 1t
was cruel reception to the loyal
guards who set sail into the gale
In order to take better care of the
new members the Shawnee club has
adopted the policy of welcoming the
green golfers" into the fold. The old
heads have been giving the strangers
the advantage of their game and their
acquaintance.
Harlow Hurley is break king in a
wooden Harry Vardon duet. The club
han- L.