Thursday, July 9, 2015

14. July 9, 2015—Fresh Meadow Country Club

July 9, 2015—Fresh Meadow Country Club

Just to kill the suspense and keep everyone from scrolling down got the round in today and the US Open Bucket List is now definitely down to seven.  Just knew that was at the top of your minds.

As I indicated in my prior post, Fresh Meadow has some interesting history.  Many New York area golfers who lived in the 20’s and 30’s would have said that Lido Golf Club and Fresh Meadow were the two best courses within 50 miles of Times Square.  Gene Sarazen was the head pro at Fresh Meadow, and lost in the finals of the 1930 PGA (match play back then) to Tommy Armour, who was a member of Winged Foot GC.  The US Open was scheduled for play at Fresh Meadow in 1932, and Sarazen, concerned about the “home pro jinx” resigned his position at FMCC and went on to win the Open playing the final 28 holes on Saturday in an astounding 100 strokes.  He also, became head pro at a nearby club just over the city line called Lakeville Club (remember that name).

After the war (that’s WW II for you spring chickens), the real estate tax burden started to get to FMCC and the members started looking for greener (or at least less expensive) pastures.  Lakeville Club had been through difficult times as a result of the depression and war, and was in receivership.  The course there had been designed by Charles Alison (long time readers of these pieces of literature will recall that Alison built many of the great courses in Japan in the 30’s) who was a partner of Harry Colt and famous for brilliant bunker design.  FMCC purchased Lakeville (and of course sold its original campus…thereby providing a home for my girlfriend about 15 years later).  Welcome home, Gene Sarazen!

Today, FMCC is a beautiful course, which occupies a wonderful piece of land.  HOWEVER, it is a prime example of the negative influence of Augusts National on golf course conditioning in the US.  The 18 holes are almost uniformly green, the fairways and greens being overwatered.  The bunkers remind me of those at ANGC, with perfectly smoothed sand and manicured edges.  The members love their green course and I do not think they realize how much more fun it would play if it was firm and fast.  Many of the holes are extremely well designed on rolling land that does not react as it would if it was firm/fast…thereby reducing “shot values.”  My host agreed with my assessment but I sense that is just one vote of many.  


One thing I cannot explain.  The club I played today is the Fresh Meadow CC (and has always gone by that name)…yet the area where its first course was located is now called Fresh Meadows (plural).  Not sure why.

Good two days.  Two interesting tracks.  Four majors won on them by guys names Jones, Hagen, Armour, and Sarazen...not too shabby.  And on top of that, a visit to Mecca!!!

13. July 8, 2015—A Round of golf and a journey to Mecca

July 8, 2015—A Round of golf and a journey to Mecca

Pat and I are going down to NYC for an 80th birthday party this week.  I drove this morning (July 8) and she is taking the train tomorrow.  My plan is to play two of the nine US Open venues I have yet to play (depending on how one counts…not as silly a question as it seems*) the total is about 54 venues. 

My schedule is to play Inwood Country Club, located just east of JFK airport today, and then Fresh Meadow Country Club tomorrow...and hopefully get this bucket list down to 7.

Inwood hosted the 1923 US Open, which was won by Bobby Jones in a playoff against Bobby Cruickshank (as you may have noticed, about 100-120 years ago, most children were given first names as first names…such as Robert, David, Nancy, Susan, etc. as opposed to the practice today of giving last names as first names…this was an aside, but clearly one of some import).  Bobby Jones would go on to win a total of 4 US Opens among his 13 major championships (Open Championship, Amateur Championship, US Open , and US Amateur).  This one was in serious doubt after Jones, leading by 3 going into the final round, finished off regulation play going bogey/bogey/double bogey on 16-18 (in comparison, yours truly played the same holes par/par/par today, but my total score was only recorded on Hilary Clinton’s server which of course was destroyed or whatever for good reasons (although not yet articulated).  Moving on, on the 18th hole of the playoff with both tied, Jones hit a 2-iron form the rough over the creek fronting the green to 8’ and converted his birdie to win the Open. 

About 75 years later, a plaque was erected at the spot where Jones hot the 2-iron (see pictures below of plaque and the shot he faced).




It should also be noted that Walter Hagen (another first name for a first name) won the PGA Championship at Inwood in 1921.  Not a bad pair of major winners.

Course is very flat and “link-like”, although it should have been firmer and faster.  I enjoyed it very much and should have played this one years ago.  Club had gone through some hard times with the recent recession and Hurricane Sandy, but I gather it is on its way back, which was good to hear.  The jumbo jets were coming in directly over the Club all afternoon.

After the round, I drove about 10 miles over to “Mecca”.  This was my chance for a meaningful religious experience.  Stop scratching your head…I went over to the site where Lido Golf Club opened 101 years ago.  Designed and built by C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor, many considered it the finest course ever built in the USA.   The construction of a massive clubhouse/hotel in the 1920’s sealed the club’s fate when the Depression hit a short time later.  The property was utilized for military training exercises during WW II and never reopened after the war.  On its site today are hundreds of homes, streets, etc. as well as the clubhouse/hotel (now a condominium building shown in pictures below).   There is a new Lido Golf Club in the area, designed by R. T. Jones, Sr. (non-golfers: no relation to Jones mentioned above), but I simply drove by quickly and no analogy can properly express the difference between these two clubs.






Moving on to tomorrow’s agenda, I am scheduled to play Fresh Meadow CC with a friend from Pinehurst (Forest Creek) who is a member.  The original FMCC was located in Queens about 2 miles from where I grew up.  Designed by AW Tillinghast, many considered it to be his finest track.  By the end of WWII , high real estate taxes forced the club to move about 3-4 miles east to Nassau County, and the original FMCC gave way to a shopping center and housing development.


Now, there is a serous question that arises due to my US open bucket list.  Assuming the weather holds and I get my round n at FMCC tomorrow, will this count as playing this US Open venue (as it will of course be at the new location in Nassau), or will it be included in the “no longer exists” category?  After long deliberations by the appropriate authorities, it has been decided that this will count as playing this US Open venue.  The key point driving this decision is that I had a girl friend in the 10th grade who lived at the housing development that occupies the original FMCC site.  Hence, it was decided that I had already played the course.  Enough said.  Time for some sleep.

* for example, The Country Club (which has 27 holes) has hosted 3 US Opens: 1913 on its Main Course and 1963 and 1988 on its Composite Course...is that one venue or two.  Same question applies to Baltusrol (36 holes) which has held seven US Opens on three courses...how many venues is that?

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

12. 1939's 100 Finest: The First 100 List?

1939's 100 Finest: The First 100 List? 

The following article was posted on GolfClubAtlas.com about 12-13 years ago.  I saw it for the first time about 15 months ago (before my round the world journey in May 2014), and of course was curious how many of these 100 I had played.  The number was around 60.  Yes, the article below is “pure fiction”, but it is fascinating reading and generated dozens of responses on GCA.

After returning from Europe about 10 days ago, I ran across this list again and decided to really research this “fictional top 100”.  One of the issues with the list is that in many cases it names a town, rather than a club, and in some cases where a club has 36 holes (or more), it cannot be discerned which course is the one that Tom MacWood was referring to (e.g. Sunningdale, #19 on the list, is it Old or New?; Winged Foot, #32, could refer to either the West or East course, etc.  Although to be fair, in most of these cases, the answer is fairly obvious.

Having completed this research, attached to the email alerting you to this posting to my blog is an excel schedule which shows my best guess for the names of the clubs and courses.  The rows highlighted in yellow represent courses that I have played multiple times, the rows in green are courses I have played once, the rows in red are the five courses that no longer exist, and the 20 at the bottom (with no color highlight) are the still existing courses I have not played at all.  

Given that the 5 “no longer exist” courses disappeared at least 50 years ago (with the possible exception of #23 built on the Lasker estate in Lake Forest, IL) and the times involved with worldwide travel prior to the jet age, I am sure no one ever played all 100…and frankly I would be very surprised if anyone has played the 95 still remaining.  To summarize my current status and forward plans (and please note that my wonderful bride is a reader of this blog) I have played 75 to date and of the remaining:

—4 are in the USA…3 in the New York City area and one near Jacksonville, FL
—3 are in Canada (and we are scheduled to play two of these next month)
—6 are in England and comprise some of the highest regarded courses…in fact four of these had been on my radar previously, but not on my “top 100” driven bucket lists.

Playing the above would leave me with a mere 7 to go:

—2 in France (which unfortunately are geographically far apart)
—1 in Belgium
—2 in South Africa…and we were there in March of this year
—1 in Vietnam
—1 in Sri Lanka (no, never been there).

While 91 of the 95 might be possible for me…those last 4 are a big hurdle with some of my other bucket lists still “works in progress”.

In any case, if you have the time go to GCA and do a some simple searches (e.g. Tom MacWood 100 Finest) and look at the responses to this article, and the.. amazing collection of people who participated. And, go figure out where you stand on the 1939 100 Finest list…perhaps the first 100 list (and perhaps not)




The World’s Finest Tests
by Thomas MacWood

Editor’s Note:  Though the following is pure fiction, Tom’s research turns this enjoyable read into something that is also highly educational.
My research led me to this fascinating article and list. The National Golf Review was a short lived magazine (maybe 3 or 4 years) that was created shortly after The American Golfer and Golf Illustrated went under. It was founded by many of the same characters and absorbed talented contributors from both magazines – Rice, Richardson, Keeler, Martin, Hesse, Brown, Jones, Darwin, etc. It was a bi-monthly (actually monthly in the Summer and one issue each in the Winter, Spring and Fall) They also produced an Annual Review supplement. A look at the finest tests was a feature of the Annual Golf Review of 1939.

The World’s Finest Tests

An Expert Panel Surveys the World’s Best Golf Courses

Not so long ago naming the world’s outstanding golf courses was a fairly easy task–one would simply look toward the historic links of Scotland and England. Thankfully the Scots are a generous lot and Scotland’s gift has been graciously accepted worldwide. Stretching from St. Andrews to Ceylon to San Francisco to South Africa, far and near you will not only find wielders of driver, brassie and humble niblick but also an astonishing number of links of the first class.
Perhaps it is human nature, the desire to identify the best. The game has seen various attempts to list golf’s ideal holes–Horace Hutchinson, Charles B. Macdonald, Bernard Darwin, Bobby Jones and many other noted men have attempted this assignment. Far fewer have tried to rate the very best courses. Joshua Crane’s scientific approach of some years ago comes to mind and unfortunately the results were quite disappointing–his folly, too much science not enough art. Today this assignment is even more difficult. To begin it is nearly impossible for a single man to reach every corner of our expanding golf world. And if he were able to overcome this daunting requirement, we are still be left with just one golfer’s opinion, tainted by his own singular tastes and prejudices.
Last spring our editors presented an informal look at America’s toughest courses. Although a brave attempt, and it did create considerable interest, the exercise was not totally satisfactory. The over emphasis on toughness was ill advised. Mindful of the past and present dilemmas THE NATIONAL GOLF REVIEW tackles this most difficult but exciting problem–identifying the world’s finest tests.
Our initial task was to set forth a proper method. The editors-namely Mr. Grantland Rice and Mr. William D. Richardson–began by assembling an eminent jury of experts. The first requirement for these prospective jurors: an understanding of the elements that contribute to excellent golf. The test of a golf course doesn’t concern its difficulty or its hardness. That is only part of the story. Some of the hardest courses are also some of the most dull. ‘We have one of the hardest courses in the country’, is often the proud boast of a club member. This may be true. But has he also one of the most interesting courses to play? The true test of a golf course is the amount of interest it can stir in the breast.
The second qualification was international experience. The game’s great tests are now found on far off shores. Each juror must have had occasion to play and study golf courses from around the world. Finding these globe-trotting golfers was a most difficult chore. Fortunately, we are pleased to report the illustrious group assembled has played over 7000 golf courses on every continent–excepting the South Pole and one or two of these gents may soon give that a try.
The jury consists of two women and fifteen men: Lady Heathcoat-Amory (nee Miss Joyce Wethered); Mrs. E. H. Vare (nee Miss Glenna Collett); Edward, Duke of Windsor; Robert T. Jones, Jr.; Walter Hagen; Arnaud Massy; Joe Kirkwood; Gene Sarazen; Percy Alliss; T. Simpson; C. H. Alison; Robert Trent Jones; D. Scott Chisholm; Hans Samek; Bernard Darwin; Mr. Rice and Mr. Richardson.
Every juror presented a list of golf courses with their corresponding numeric grade reflecting golfing merit. An easy task in theory but not so in practice. The predicament facing these judges would stymie the best of us. It involves a lot of mental sorting and reassorting, considerable memory work recalling what features made one course stand above another. Once the scores were submitted it fell upon Mr. Richardson, Mr. Rice and Mr. Darwin to tabulate and arrange the final poll.
It is fascinating to review the individual ballots, you will find both a diversity of opinion but also a fair number of like-minds. To illustrate we have listed the panelists’ top courses. Lady Amory, considered by Bobby Jones as the greatest golfer–gentleman or lady–chose St. Andrews, Pebble Beach and Augusta National. Arguably the greatest American lady golfer, Mrs.Vare listed Cypress Point, Newcastle County Down and Merion. The well-traveled Duke of Windsor also likes St. Andrews as well as Banff Springs and Walton Heath. Bobby Jones again has the Old Course followed by Cypress Point and Augusta National.
The flamboyant and colorful Mr. Hagen named Sandwich, Foulpointe and Hirono; his world-touring pal and showman, Joe Kirkwood chose St. Andrews, Royal Melbourne and Royal York. French champion and private pro to the Pasha of Marrakech, Arnaud Massy favors North Berwick, Hoylake and St. Andrews. Another links wayfarer Gene Sarazen is fond of Oakmont and Sandwich. British professional Percy Alliss, formerly attached to the Wansee Club in Berlin, has Porthcawl and Knocke on top. The majordomo of the Pacific golf scene ‘Scotty’ Chisholm lists Cypress Point and Gleneagles.
British golf course architects Simpson and Alison both like St. Andrews followed by Pine Valley, after that Simpson goes with Portmarnock and Alison with Burnham. Talented American architect Robert Trent Jones lists Augusta National, Jasper Park and Banff Springs. Noted golf czar of the German Republic Hans Samek places Le Touquet, Havana and Bel-Air at the head of his list. And our final threesome, Mr. Darwin: St. Andrews and National Links of America; Mr. Rice: Cypress Point; Mr. Richardson: Pine Valley and Timber Point.
1. St.Andrews, Scotland26. Seminole, Florida51. Kawana, Japan76. Carnoustie, Scotland
2. Cypress Point, California27. Rye, England52. Engineers, N.Y77. Burnham, England
3. Pine Valley, N.J.28. Knocke, Belgium53. Swinley Forest, England78. Scioto, Ohio
4. Pebble Beach, California29. Yale, Conn54. Brookline, Mass.79. Capilano, Canada
5. Sandwich, England30. Gleneagles, Scotland55. Saunton, England80. Hot Springs, Virginia
6. National Links, N.Y.31. Le Touquet, France56. Bethpage, N.Y.81. Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon
7. Hirono, Japan32. Winged Foot, N.Y.57. Addington, England82. Ballybunion, Ireland
8. Banff Springs, Canada33. Pasatiempo, California58. Lakeside, California83. Porthcawl, Wales
9. Royal Melbourne, Australia34. Muirfield, Scotland59. Hollywood, N.J.84. Liphook, England
10. Foulpointe, Madagascar35. Walton Heath, England60. Woking, England85. Knoll, N.J.
11. Augusta Naional, Georgia36. Jasper Park, Canada61. Wildhoeve, Holland86. Tokyo-Asaka, Japan
12. Timber Point, N.Y.37. Portmarnock, Ireland62. Royal York, Canada87. Maccauvlei, S.Africa
13. Oakmont, Penn.38. Pinehurst No.2, N.C.63. Oakland Hills, Michigan88. Kingston Heath, Australia
14. Hoylake, England39. Prestwick, Scotland64. Morfontaine, France89. Chicago, Illinois
15. Newcastle Co. Down, Ire.40. Birkdale, England65. Brancaster, England90. Sea Island, Georgia
16. Westward Ho!, England41. Lido, N.Y.66. Pulborough, England91. Alwoodley, England
17. Merion, Penn42. Ganton, England67. Manoir Richelieu, Canada92. Eastward Ho, Mass.
18. Riviera, California43. Durban, S.Africa68. Royal Adelaide, Australia93. Mid Ocean, Bermuda
19. Sunningdale, England44. Oyster Harbors, Mass.69. Hamburg-Falkenstein, Germany94. Ville de Delat, Indo China
20. Bel-Air, California45. Ponte Vedra, Florida70. Olympia Fields #4, Illinois95. Zandvoort, Holland
21. Shinnecock Hills, N.Y46. North Berwick, Scotland71. Chiberta, France96. Five Farms, Maryland
22. Portrush, Ireland47. San Francisco, California72. Lawsonia, Wisconsin97. Turnberry, Scotland
23. Laksers, Illinois48. St.Georges Hill, England73. Los Angeles, California98. Spa, Belgium
24. CC of Havana, Cuba49. Garden City, N.Y.74. Maidstone, N.Y.99. Fishers Island, N.Y.
25. Humewood, S.Africa50. Deal, England75. East London, S.Africa100a.Royal Worlington, Englandb.Prarie Dunes, Kansas
The final product of this distinguished group is most impressive. They have selected one hundred first-rate golf courses from eighteen nations. Actually one hundred and one–in the final position two nines have been combined to form a full sized course, Royal Worlington considered by many the world’s premier nine-holer and Prarie Dunes a fine new links featured on these pages last year.
With the splendid progress of modern golf architecture is it a little surprising which course stands above the rest? We can still say, as Mr. Hutchinson said nearly fifty years ago in the Badminton, that ‘there is one point which is happily and incontestably settled for us–namely, with which we should commence,’ St. Andrews still comes first. As Mr. Darwin explains, the Old Course is still ‘the most enchanting, exciting, interesting place in which to play golf.’
The runner-up to St. Andrews is the ethereal Cypress Point at Del Monte. Situated in a region of sand and pines, number three Pine Valley is regarded as the toughest course in the world. Playground to the Gods, Pebble Beach falls next and then the dramatic sand-hills of Sandwich. Charles B. Macdonald’s exemplar, the National Links of America, is number six. Seven is Japan’s tranquil Hirono. The majestic Banff Springs cradled in the Canadian Rockies and Royal Melbourne in the native heath and bush are eight and nine. The rugged seaside links at Foulpointe is ten followed by Bobby Jones and Dr. MacKenzie’s handiwork Augusta National–the very finest in modern golf architect. And rounding out the gilded dozen is Long Island’s brutal and beautiful Timber Point.
We suspect this exercise lays the ground for a heated argument. Agree or disagree, we’d like to hear from our readers.
The End