Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-23

business from countries with growing
greens, Mr.. Fairbairn experimental on
his ranch. He tried real grass and the
sun burned it to a crisp. He tried sand
and the wild winds blew it away. One
DAY his respondent feet noted the resil-
tency OF hard-trodden cottonseed hulls
near his gin. He essayed the surface with
ball and putter. The result brought
tears of happiness to his eyes: it was
almost like the real thing.
Being Scot and therefore canny, Mr..
Fairbalrn patented the idea. Along
came the amusing Tom Thumb idea.
and while other surfaces have been tried,
the rolled and treated cottonseed hulls
remained the most satisfactory. Royal
ties are said to have netted Mr. Fairbairu
a considerable fortune.
There is some argument as to the in.
cept1on OF the first miniature course but
Garnet Carter, Chattanooga real estate
man, Is credited with the fatherhood of
the present craze. The first course was
laid out on the top of Lookout Mountain
three and half years ago. The idea
spread rapidly through the South. Last
Winter Florida was all broken out with
them. Returning Northerners brought a
demand for the liliputian courses. Au-
stral1a, Hawaii England took up the idea.
been installed in Paris fashionable
Etoile district.
Every one is asking whether the fad
will die out or become an established
sport. Chances are that it will last. Al
ready there is National Association of
Miniature Golf Courses, which has a
tournament in preparation. Operators of
courses about New York are scheming to
keep customers coming during the VIM
ter. Some are planning to cover their
courses with canvas. Others will try
clearing away the snow and making It
another Winter sport. Cold weather is
sure to boost business for the indoor
miniature courses
Plans are now being made for turning
excess theaters into indoor Tom Thumbs.
Vest pocket editions already have been
installed in astonishing locations Los
Angeles has one in a theater lobby. New
York and Chicago have courses atop ho-
tells. Indoor, outdoor, or rooftop these
small courses are sure to add to the
membership Of real clubs and to increase
the already amazing figures of American
golfdom.
A N old-time economist might gasp and
moan over the tremendous amounts
spent on this game. If he didn't look at
them closely he might consider all this
money wasted. A common sense view of
the matter will prove that this golden
flood acts as a nourisher and a bless
ing to other industries. Says the presi-
dent Of large Westchester club:
"The money spent on golf is not eaten
up or destroyed. It buys materials and
labor. Consider all the different lines Of
manufacturing that are given a broader
market. Balls are an outlet for the rub
Der industry. Leather goes into shoes
and bags. A midiron furnishes a market
for more steel, lumber and leather. Plus
fours are cut on a generous scale; that
means money for the wool grower, the
spinner, the tailor. Look at the care
taker out there on the, fairway. He IS
g the grass with power mower. Don't
his labor is wasted. The manufacturer
? machine gave work and called for steel,
wages will be distributed through many
lels for food, Ga>thing and the like"
,reafter he launched of into a discourse
If as a style creator-showed how it had
ed the clothes worn by women and men.
d brought in knee breeches and may do
with long trousers altogether.
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