Evening star., 1949-02-14
Golf MANAGEMENT Criticized

AZ tAe GfoitoA VI 4ue 6taE.
So the National Capital Parks office is
well satisfied" with the manner in which
the S. G. Loeffler Co. operates our public
golf courses in the District of Columbia, eh?
Well, if that is the case, one of two things
is certain: Cd Either members of this of
ficial family" don't know thing about golf
and what it takes to maintain a course in
proper playing condition, or CD they've
never even taken the time or trouble to
inspect the local courses and see in what
deplorable shape they are maintained
(rather not :naintained).
speak specifically about the Rock Greek
course-which occupies one of the finest
pieces of terrain in this part of the country,
and could be one of the sportiest courses in
the entire United States. But Gas even a
rank amateur, like myself, knows a golf
course must be kept in shape, if one is to
play-or even learn to play-the game as it
should be played Here are few reasons
why Rock Creek course, all last summer,
was disgrace" from every golfers angle:
Cd Numerous greens were torn up
throughout the season, some being reSodded
and others just "closed for repairs rs'-with no
progress made in either case.
(2) Not only were the temporary greens"
thus promoted into permanent green's but
quite often these were closed off, forcing
players to aim their puts at holes dug in
the rough turf on the fairway.
go Many tees were a meSS-eroded by
rain, or worn down by long use. to an ex-
tent that players voluntarily drove from
nearby spots on the fairway.
90 Many tees were blocked off for long
spells, for repairs or complete overhauling.
On one hole the fairway was shortened at
least so yards, and the top of a hill on the
fairway was worn bald" by long use as the
''tee of the year."
t5) Seats for tired players at the tees
were either in state of dilapidation or
just completely gone.
(6) Grass in the fairWays was often so
long that an accurate player could lose his
ball right in the middle of the fairway-
even when it didn't settle in one of the
myriad holes dotting the entire course.
CD After some heavy windstorms,
branches blown from nearby trees onto the
course were allowed to remain there for
weeks. In the interim the mechanical
movers just ran over them chopping the
big hazards into little ones!
90 Despite the steepness and ruggedness
of the course--working up quite a sweat for
players on hot or sultry days-only three or
four drinking fountains were in operation
on all 18 holes of the two nine-hole
courses"
But, why GO on? Certainly this is suffi-
cient evidence to establish the fact that
little heed is being paid to the desires or
fair expectations of disfranchised District
Of Columbia residents. Certainly, the Loci
fler management is entitled to fair profit
for service rendered"-but only on consid-
Grafton that the golfer is insured (and gets
a fair return" for his fee. Under present
conditions, such Is not the case.
Just what actuates the official attitude"
of certain authorities. in seeking to fool the
golfing public by saying these public courses
are being properly maintained and asserting
they are well satisfied" Herewith. is one Of
those political mysteries" But, there ought
to be fair and sensible solution to this
problem-as always is possible, provided all
Interested parties act in good faith. Is that
asking too much? RANK AMATEUR.