The Omaha morning bee., 1924-03-23

head of the municipal golf courses,
and Ben Yousem, Omaha golfer. in
spected the Fontenelle, Miller and
Elmwood park courses. A report of
the changes necessary to improve the
links was made and at the meeting
presented to Commissioner Hummel
for approval Hummel put his stamp
OF o. k. on the proposed changes and
work of reconstruction has already
started at Elmwood
OF all the changes outlined and pro-
posed, the one making the Fontenelle
course, now composed of nine holes,
into an 1S-hole course over the same
tract of ground. with very little ad
ditional expense, appears to be the one
big feature of the reconstruction
plans.
Many municipal golfers doubt
whether the Fontenelle course can be
made over into an 1S-hole course
without adding additional ground to
the present tract. "Muny" golfers
ssert that F'ontenelle is the best mu-
nicipal golf course because the holes
are father apart than on any Of the
other two courses. BY making the
present links into an 1s-hole course
would greatly shorten the distance
between holes and at tho same time
mako playing sort Of dangerous, they
say.
The committee inspecting the Fon-
tenelle course said that 1t found the
present nine-hole course too long, diff
ficut and tiresome. The report said
they found the fairway that lies be-
tween the holes 8, 5 and Z, measures
between $50 and 800 yards and the
criss-cross of fairway could be laid
out on this basis, making possible
beautiful 1S-hole course.
It Is also the plan of the Municipal
association to bridge the lake at Font
enelle, thereby making use of the
island and establishing three beauti-
full holes. The lake will be used as
water hazard.
Many other changes are proposed at
Fontenelle park. such as improving
the tees and fairways and construct
ing new tees where needed.
The committee believes that when
this reconstruction work at Fontenelle
course is finished next year. It will
be one of the best 1S-hole municipal
courses in the country.
The reconstruction Of tees and
fairways and the installation OF
drinking fountains will greatly help
FonteneIle. but the changing OF the
present nine-hole course into 49,
holes, will not, in our humble
opinion, meet with the approval of
the majority of municipal golfers
of Omaha.
Unless new acreage Is added to the
present tract, the distance between
holes will be shorter IL the nine-hole
course Is made into IS holes. A dive
into the municipal golf records OF
omaha show that Fontenelle golfers
We're the last of "muny' players to
be ousted from the state and city
tournaments for the simple reason
that Fontenelle golfers were more
accustomed to the long holes than
were players from Elmwood and
Miller.
At Miller park new tees will be con-
structed and repairs made to both
tees and fairways. Cement circles
around each hole on the sand greens
will be removed because a ball strik-
Ing the lip of the cement cup bounds
in the air and makes 1t almost i'm.
possible TO hole putt.
Another important change at Miller
will be the construction Of . new tee
nearer to the lake, which opens up
the widest possible range OF fairyyay
and makes direct shot to the green.
The sand green i'm front OF the present
green will be removed to the side, so
as to not interfere with the approach
of No. 3 green.
Elmwood park will also get lot Of
attention in the way of reconstruc-
ton. The work of improving this
course is expected to be completed
this year.
The committee has decided to re.
move the tee at hole No. l so that
n better direct shot can be had at
the hole. A nine-hole practice green
for putting will be installed east Of
the fence, which will surround the
first tee. A sand green will be placed
at the left fairway opposite No. /
Green, to be used while the perma-
nent green's are under reconstruction.
A drinking fountain will be installed
at the first tee and benches Will be
placed at all the tees This is good
news to the golfers. Distance mark
ers will be placed on all fairways.
A new tee will also be placed at
right angles to the green at hole
No. 2, making a direct shot to, the
cup. A sand green will be placed at
the right OF the present permanent
green, and will be used while the
permanent greens are being recon.
structed. This will hold true at all
the greens where new greens are
under construction.