The Washington times., 1929-08-09
GOES ALOF
To FORM
PLANS
BY George A. Simpson


Major Richard D. Newman,
Of the Army, Navy AMI Ma
rine Corps Golf Club, charts
q golf course by an airplane
flight over the untouched
land.
A member of the board Of gov
ernors at the Service Club, Major
Newman is likewise general man.
ager and superintends construction
work in connection with the greens,
fairways and clubhouse proper.
The Army officer knows a few
things about grass for green's and
NairWays and the science of building
q desirable course. He has a nurs-
.ery at the club and grows bent grass
az the German creeping strain that
ia shipped to various Army courses
tlsroughout the country.
Occasionally, he flies over the
local course at Fort Berry, Va,
On IN inspectiOn tour. This view
from the air presents a vivid
conception as to what the course
needs and improvements neces-
sary. He mapped Army courses
at Fort Meade and Fort Ogle-
tliOrpe by taking air spins.
Major Newman differs from other
golf architects. He never interferes
with nature and believes that natu-
raj hazards ehould not be removed.
Nor does he erect artificial hazards
such ais sand traps. There isn't
single trap on the entire 1S holes az
the Army, Navy and Marine Corps
course.
wells. springs, shelters. bitches.
trees, bunkers and creeks DOT the
course. Two creeks strike rear lnCs
the player at the No. 3 hole. The
first creek is ITS yards distant from
the tee while the next partly sur
rounds the green on the right Wnlie
on the left of the green is roadway
that is out-of-bounds. Creeks also
course along No. 4, 5, s.. IL, IL, 13
and, II holes.
Major Newman gives the course
the best possible attention, despite
lack Of funds. There are six and.
one-haIf miles Of tile drainage on
the first nine and three miles on the
second nine. He regulates the trac-
tor mowers so they cut one-eighth
an inch. from the ground. This
leaves the blade barely above the
ground. The green's are well-treateds
Tor a force of workers go out every
morning at daybreak to cut, while
another set out a o'clock at night
Cd, water the greens ane fairways.
s
Though the first nine Is only
a year old, the green's are de-
clared to be the finest in Wash.
ingtOn. The second nine, opened
in April, Is coming along nicely.
while the sixteenth green Is
entirely free or brown path and
kindred fungi groWtl1s that
wreck courses during the sum-
mer drought,
Major Newman Is we'll pleased
with the condition of the greens,
but is trying to make the Bermuda
grass take root in the fairway.
Once deeply rooted, this grass will
resist the heavy thunderstorms
that rush down the hills and leave
the surface barren. Twice has
Major Newman been halked in his
planting of this Bermuda seed, for
no sooner than sodded a heavy rain
would destroy his efforts. He plans
to start planting earlier this year
to escape the rains.
Nevertheless, Major Newman
states, he is not hurrying along
with his plans for forcing the fair.
ways to sprout a firm green mat,
He is making his moves studiously
and hopes to have the course a
golfers haven within a few years.
He has performed miracles in a
brief time. transforming swamp.
land into a fairly decent looking
course.
An extension to the course and
property is about to be realized.
The club hopes to soon purchase
a piece of land adjoining the ninth
and tenth holes. This would add
approximately 500 yards to the
course. putting 200 more yards on
No, 9 and 800 yards on No. 10.
The course now measures 6,2O9
yards and par is 72. The present