Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-07-16
YANKEES BECOME PROFICIENT
GOLFERS IN ONE GENERATION
Authentic Beginnings of Golf in This Country Dates
Back to 1888, According to Robert H. Davis
in Magazine Article

Now that three Americans abroad
have shown themselves the hest golf
ers on earth. II is worth while to he
reminded that II has taken scarcely
more than generation for the
United States TO becpme WONDERFULLY
proficient In game that Is four
centuries old. In an article In the
American Golfer Robert H. Dayi, re-
calls tho authentic beginnings Of golf
In this country. We say authentic
because there is a tradition that golf
was played on the Pacific Coast In
tn" sixteenth century by some retired
sea captains: another tradition that
"A certain Colonel Gillespie brought
some clubs and balls from Scotland
70 Florida In the early SOS: and we
Shou!r not be surprised TO hear that
Mr. Maruuis's rcdoubtabIa Captain
titzurae lost his three fingers in a
hole match with Daniel Boone.
MT. DHvis. however. treats only Of
Rolf history that In backed By docu-
ments. He assures tho world tina,
golf clubs and balls were nrst
brought TO thi, country. In 40 far as
genuine record is concerned by tho
late Robert Lockhhri. \ Scotch linen
merchant. who was born In Dunferr-
I'm" and who received his golfnK
education nj MusselburEh under tho
famous Tom Morris. After some golf
leFs years In the United states I.ock
mart returned to Scotland and trough,
bhck TO New York two fun sc,s ~,
clubs and two dozen balls. Four
~ these clubs. rather too long and
TOO heavy for today. arc r.i,l vISibl.
20 golf worehipers. Mr.. Davis assures
Ms. 90
Played In 1888.
As the narrative runs, Mr. IorL
90 1t
IN" meadow north Of the reservoir I'm
Central Park. Historian pav,, does
hos give IN" exact date of this i'm
p'rtant happening. Lockhart teed a
nalI on the edge OF the meadow and
nroHs nightly. whereupnn n polir.
man arrested him. Mr.. Davis oni,s
mo poiiceman'r name. but wilson no
SAYS that I.ockhart was taken IN tho
Arsenal Police Station he leaves 4,
ciu" for tho ant!GuHrIans Of tho IN
'ur"' 1t seems. however that the
urlsoh"r was not held Freed. he
vent TO Tonkors and. with other COZ
sp'rator@. formed the hrst Eo,f cI,,h
IN the United, States. 81. Andrews
no date ~ organization was Noyom-
Der ~. lsst. John Reid was nrost
hent and John Upham sccrc,ary md
treasurer.
Mt Davis confers upon Mr.. Roid
the honor OF being the founder or
goit In America. He played in m.
nrst Snme OF which there is n record
~ TOOK place In the late fail OF 1883
y" ~ BROADWAY and Shonnard Place
ohntrr. IN" four players were
LrrS holhrook. Alexander p. W
kinnan. John Upham and John peid
photograph of that historic .cona
shows two derby hats and ,wo 90,
away COATS and nary pair ~ knick-
ere' me caddies wnre the UoIbr,oL
boy frederick and Warren. neithe,
'aie' IMAM one nj the clubs they car
REQ. Frederick Holhrook. now
n!-nsnRcd member Of 81. Andrews
.ells Mr.. Davis that thor. wss IN
eHrhest days Of the club wha,
"o"ih nave been called the nine.
emtn mole: but st. Andrews orig
inHiiy had but six playing holes TT.
clubhouse consisted OF ,,bi.
or ice' pals OF water. etc. Late
snt was nut up. In 1924. the recnrde
eno", tho club was wealthy .norrh
70 huE patent corkscrew al cn.,
go another important item for
historians -e"' i"'
Fi'st Medal offered.
'olfera OF today who ,ho,,,
kr"at financial burdens Will bo in
:, 10 know that In 1891 s, Al.
ao"x" feit compelled-ow!nr no
80 10 the high cost of IivlnrW
ADVANCE the annual dues fron, ,E
70 NO, but the initiation fee rsm.',,,
TOT another year. In 1894 Tro.
'ueht feid offered medal for -.
amateur championship Of tho IT,,,as
oAtes. SIX OF the members n, ~.
psriod arc sim PLAYING on ST A.
INKS. envied by their 3o7 col
- - "S men who made American