Bobby Jones Golf Club News Archives

Friends of Bobby Jones Golf Club looks into the archives of newspapers and newsmakers, with selected articles that bring history alive

OFFICIAL OPENING NEW GOLF COURSE THIS AFTERNOON

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1926

SARASOTA HERALD

CIVIC CLUBS TO STAGE TOURNEY THIS AFTERNOON

OFFICIAL OPENING FOLLOWS CLOSING OF OLDEST COURSE IN AMERICA

Founded as a city in which to play golf, Sarasota is holding to her enviable reputation as a center for the famous Scottish pastime and one week following the closing of the oldest course in America comes the opening of its new municipal links which will take place at two o’clock this afternoon.

Extensive plans have been outlined which are expected to make the official opening of the course a gala event. The mayor and city council will officiate on the occasion, Mayor Bacon having been chosen to cut the ribbon surrounding the first green and to tee off. The council members will follow in order, photographs to be taken and the balls saved as historic relics.

The first matches will consist of a city club tournament, the first flight of which will be staged this afternoon.

The Kiwanis club have entered Louis Lancaster, Wade Stephens, Dr. W. J. Johnson and Bill Pearsall. The Civitans are entering Jack Beasley, Randolph Pipes, Gay Livenston and Dick Wilson.

The Junior chamber of commerce will have Albert Arno, Russel Gray, Emerson Phillips and Frank Evans on their entry list while the A. B. C.’s have entered J. L. Fulghum, Dr. Landess, A. Strudabar and John Carter, Jr.

Rotarians are entering: Major Kimball, Voltaire Sturgis, Fletcher Lewis, and J. C. Hughey. The realtors will also have a representative in the event, Wayne Johnson, Clarence Stokes and two others whose names have not been made public to make up the team.

GREENMYER IS TITLE WINNER ON MUNY LINKS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1926

SARASOTA HERALD

HISTORIC OLD COURSE CLOSES: GREENMYER DEFEATS MAXWELL IN FINALS

Harly Greenmyer won the title yesterday in the finals over the old Municiapl Course, defeating F. P. Maxwell. The championship title thus won by Greenmyer is the last that ever that will be awarded on this course for with the close of this tournament the links passed officially out of existence as a golf playground and will become sub-divided into building lots. A good gallery watched the play.

Greenmyers score was

Out…   555 355 454 – 41

In         453 445 444 – 37

Total 78.

Maxwells score was:

Out…   555 456 555 – 43

In         563 465 545 - 43

Total 86.

The final tournament attracted many of the city’s best golfers and was an object of great interest even to those who did not participate, marking as it did the closing of what is claimed to have been the first golf course ever established in the United States. The Associated Press took note of the importance of the final tourney to be carried to all parts of the nation last night.

NEW MUNICIPAL COURSE WILL OPEN ON JUNE 5

TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1926

SARASOTA HERALD

GOLF COURSE TO OPEN WITH TOURNEY JUNE 5

MAYOR BACON TO CUT RIBBON SURROUNDING FIRST TEE NEXT SATURDAY

Sarasota’s Municipal Golf Course will be formally opened for play on Saturday afternoon, June 5th, at two o’clock. Mayor Bacon will the cut the ribbon surrounding the first tee at two o’clock and balls will be driven off of this tee to celebrate the opening of the course by Mayor Bacon, Members of the Council, Louis Lancaster, Chairman of the Golf Committee of the Board of Recreation, and R. K. Thompson, who, together with Mr. Lancaster, was responsible for the securing of the land and the developing of the idea of a municipal golf course for Sarasota.

Unless any of the balls are driven so far that they cannot be found, or unless they are sliced into the deep creek, which parallels the first fairway, each ball will be brought back and will be kept by the player, mounted on a silver stand and will prove to be a valuable souvenir of the opening of this fine golf course.

Immediately following this ceremony a tournament will be staged between the luncheon clubs of this city, the Kiwanis, Rotary, Civitans and the A. B. C. Realtors and Junior Chamber of Commerce. After these players have teed off, the course will then be thrown open to the public free of charge for the rest of the afternoon, and also the following Sunday and Monday, June 6th and 7th, so that everyone in Sarasota will have an opportunity to play this new course and become acquainted with it.

When the idea of a municipal golf course was first promoted, R. K. Thompson prevailed upon the Palmer Corporation to sell to the city at a very low figure over one hundred acres of the most fertile soil in this section, extending north from the Fruitville Road just east of the new Fair Grounds. This land has been carefully drained and has been set out with tropical trees, and by the coming season should be one of Florida’s finest golf courses.

Great interest is being shown the opening of the course, and it is expected that the course will be crowded during the summer months. The regular fee is only $1.00 per day, and 50c after five o’clock in the afternoon. E. L. Johnson, for many years the popular and efficient greens keeper at the old Ringling course, has been appointed greens keeper of the new golf course, and has done remarkably well in bringing the course to its fine condition in such a short period of time.

The Golf Course will be under the management and direction of the Department of Recreation. All tournaments and individual play will be sponsored, and encouraged, by this department and all possible will be done to make this a record breaking summer for municipal golf in the city. A. G. Spalding and Bros., have donated the balls to be used in the opening tournament.

OLD GOLF COURSE TO BE ABANDONED FOR HOME SITES

Friday, May 28, 1926

Fort Lauderdale News

(BY ASSOCIATED PRESS)

SARASOTA, MAY 28. – The old Sarasota municipal golf course, founded in 1881 by Colonel J. Hamilton Gillespie, and said to be the oldest golf course in America, will close with appropriate ceremonies Saturday.

The old course has become a part of the city proper and will be subdivided into lots by Charles Ringling of circus fame.

Last summer the first nine holes were abandoned and where once the first tee stood the Sarasota terrace hotel, 10 stories high, now rises. The new municipal course which will supplant the old is being built east of the city and will be opened within the next several days.

GOLF TOURNEY TO BE HELD IN CITY MARCH 22

Sunday, March 14, 1926

SARASOTA HERALD

Play for Championship of Sarasota and Ringling Cup To Be Staged

The first golf championship of Sarasota will be held during the week of March 22 to 27 on the links of the municipal course for which event Charles Ringling had donated a handsome cup to be known as the Charles Ringling Trophy Cup, the winner to have possession of it for one year and the player winning it three years to retain permanent possession.

Sarasota is a town of golfers and it is believed that the coming tournament will be seen a tremendous entry list. Being for the championship of the city it will naturally carry significant prestige.

The tournament will be held under the auspices of the department of recreation and will be played over the municipal links. This tournament will be followed the following week by one for women, and the week after that, by one for the junior players of the city.

All players wishing to compete are asked to hand in their entries before six o’clock of Saturday, March 20thon which day match play will start. All matches in the tournament will be 18 holes except the finals and semifinals which will be over the 36-hole route.

D. B. Wright, director of recreation, Andy Anderson, professional at the municipal links, and A. E. Johnson, manager of the same links, will have charge of the tournament.

All those wishing to enter are asked to turn in their names to one of the above mentioned gentlemen, either at the pier or the municipal course.

The tournament will consist of flights of 16 each, the 16 making the lowest score being placed in the championship flight. Suitable trophies will be given to the winners of all the other flights.

GOLF CHAMPION HERE TO SPEND ENTIRE WINTER

Tuesday, November 10, 1925

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Bobby Jones Not To Play In California Tournament

Will Golf and Real Estate Right Here in Sarasota, Bobby Jones Declares

R. T. Jones, Jr., known to the golfing world as Bobby Jones. American amateur champion and rated as one of the greatest golfers of all time, is in Sarasota to spend the winter. He is connected with Whitfield estates as assistant sales manager and while here will shoot a little golf now and then.

Bobby was asked last night to state whether he intended visiting the Pacific coast this winter and taking part in some of the big tournaments being planned. For the past few weeks California press agents have been announcing that the ace of American golfers would probably tear himself away from Florida long enough to seek additional honors out in the Golden West.

“Nothing to it – just say for me that I am in Sarasota for the winter,” said the golf champ last night. He was told of the repeated reports, or rumors, from the far west concerning a visit there, but he merely repeated that he was in Sarasota for the winter for the purpose of selling real estate.

The arrival of Jones means Sarasota is taking its place of prominence in the sporting world. Tommy Armour, pro at Whitfield estates course, is due shortly and in Jones and Armour Sarasota can offer as crack a golfing team as any point in the state – and that means the golfing world, for each city has secured the best links talent available as the state’s great attractions for the winter.

Followers of the great links game have every reason to be enthused over the prospects of seeing some of the best golf shot on local courses this season that has been played in Florida.

WHITFIELD OFFICES INADEQUATE FOR BIG VOLUME OF BUSINESS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1925

SARASOTA HERALD

The field office at Whitfield Estates is being remodeled. The present facilities proved too small and inadequate to handle the increased number of visitors brought each day by the new bus line from St. Petersburg and Tampa, not the mention the crowds that come through Sarasota and other places to see the Donald Ross golf course, now completed and waiting until January first for play to begin. The new office space will be larger and more complete in every detail with greater room to handle the increasing business.

APPROVE PLANS OF PLAYGROUND HEAD FOR CITY

UNOPFFICIAL ADVISORY BOARD OKEHS PLAN OF T. B. SETTLE. COUNCIL TO ACT.

Report of T. S. Settle in regard to an adequate playground and playfield system for Sarasota and Greater Sarasota was enthusiastically received yesterday afternoon by an unofficial advisory board for the recreational commission which is expected to be appointed in the near future, anticipating the adoption of Mr. Settle’s survey by the city council at its meeting Monday night.

Besides the present public playground at the city park, Mr. Settle’s survey for a future system of playgrounds for the city include:

1.     Nine-acre tract east Sarasota owned by the city, to be made into beautiful park and playfield.

2.     Playground in the new municipal fairgrounds adjoining the golf links now under construction by Donald Ross.

3.     Old fairgrounds, place for all city league major sports and contests.

4.     School playground and athletic field to be erected in future on ten-acre tract owned by school board at corner of Bee Ridge and Osprey roads.

5.     Tract to be selected for playfield on northern end of city.

6.     Waterfront playground and park development to be constructed when Gulf View avenue fill to the bay is completed.

WHITFIELD ESTATES GOLF COURSE TO OPEN SHORTLY WITH ARMOUR IN CHARGE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1925

SARASOTA HERALD

Tommy Armour, one of the country’s best known golf professionals and one of the world’s finest players of the same, is expected to report soon to take over the Donald Ross Golf course at Whitfield Estates.

Golfers and golf lovers of the section believe that the combination of the splendid new championship course with a star of such renown will bring to Whitfield Estates this season many of the world’s best known players, for exhibition matches and tournaments after the opening of the club this December.

Tommy has been engaged as tutor for those who play the new 18-hole Whitfield course, designed and built by Donald Ross, probably the greatest of all golf architects.

Since his arrival in this country from Scotland, Armour, who was at that time an amateur of note, has steadily increased in favor among followers of the game; and, in addition to having been a decided contender in all important tournaments, has added to his collection several important titles.

It is significant that his attractive personality has made him universally popular among those of his acquaintance.

Tommy first came into national prominence as a professional while with the Westchester-Biltmore club of New York. Before abandoning his amateur status and considerable fame in the British Isles and continental Europe, Armour had served for several years as secretary of the famous club.

While the date when Tommy will assume his duties at the new Donald Ross Golf course in Whitfield Estates has not been definitively announced, it has been stated by the officials of the Adair Realty and Trust company, sole selling agents of the property, that he will arrive soon to assist Mr. Ross and his associates in the final grooming of the course for play and to arrange other details of the formal openings and of the management he will give the new rendezvous for resident and visiting players.

BOBBY ROCKED AS KID, NOT PETTED

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1925

SARASOTA HERALD

ATLANTA, Oct. 23 – (A.P.) – Bobby Jones, national amateur golf champion, when a baby was rocked more than modern physicians would have approved, but was not “petted too much.”

Mrs. Robert H. Jones, mother of the golfer, made this statement in connection with a discussion in Atlanta relative to present day methods of caring for babies as compared with those 25 years ago.

She disagreed with a young matron that “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world,” no longer is true. In Mrs. Jones opinion, babies still are rocked and mothers can find time to do their part of ruling the world even if they spend a large part of their time in nurseries.

Bobby was rocked because he was a delicate child, and young Mrs. Bobby Jones rocks her six months old daughter, christened Clara Malone but already known as “Bobby,” when she is sick or needs “extra babying.”

Grandfathers, in the opinion of Grandmother Jones, still are the principal causes of spoiled babies – but they are not to be blamed, for they know nothing of rearing babies.

Sarasota golf plans maintain city's early tradition and history

Sunday, October 4, 1925

Sarasota Herald

Lovers of the fairway need have no fears as regards to ample room to develop their talents this winter. House shortages may come and go but golfers will soon find Sarasota to be always ready with three of the finest courses of the country.

Founded, the tradition goes, as a place to play golf, the first golf course in American was laid out in 1885 by Col. J. Hamilton Gillespie, youngest son of Sir John Gillespie of Moffatt, Dumfrieshire, England.

For Practice Only.

“Two holes for practice, and it can be extended later,” the colonel is said to have remarked the day after he had pitched his tent, golf clubs and all, on what is now the present site of the main street of Sarasota.

Col. Gillespie’s prophecy was not long in being fulfilled. Within a few years he was playing on a nine-hole course. He lived to establish courses for his favorite game at Belleair, Winter Park, Jacksonville, Tampa, Kissimmee and Havana, Cuba. Col. Gillespie died two years ago. A pioneer in America’s golfing history, had he lived until the fall of 1925 he could have been the season opener of three splendid courses in his home city.

The opening of the Ringling Causeway will also mark the opening of the 18-hole Longboat Key golf course. This, together with the beautiful course of the Whitfield Estates, will have none superior to it on the west coast. At present the old Ringling course near the Atlantic Coast Line station is operating nine holes, the other nine now being in line for repairs.

The course at Palmetto has proved rather popular for Sarasota golfers this summer, especially for those who enjoy coupling a short motor ride together with their round of the links.

Siesta Beach, only a short ride from the city, will also have her 18 holes within a year. While professionals have not been hired for any of these courses, they will undoubtedly be on hand when the season opens on all of them. The local clubs are taking more than the usual interest to boost their respective organizations with the result that Sarasota as a veritable golfers’ paradise is fast becoming more and more widely known.

EXCERPT FROM A LETTER FROM A SARASOTA (FLA.) SUBSCRIBER

January, 1909

THE AMERICAN GOLFER

“The group shows mid-December golfers, male, female, human and canine, but they are all beginners except the old man in the back row whom you may recognize. I look like Rockefeller, and resemble him in being the owner of my own golf course and Clubhouse.

“If a man, or woman, can play golf on my course, they can play anywhere, the variety of bad lies encountered being endless, and the holes long. We have no connection with any R. R. hotel scheme for inducing golfers to come here, but I am proud and glad to welcome all golfers who do not expect too much. The course is certainly as good as most courses were in the days of my youth (B. C. something or other) and much better than what you encountered at the Tampa Bay some years ago.

“As all the golfing magazines are giving pointers to golfers intending to winter in the South, there can be no impropriety in letting them know that, after playing at Belleair, they can find another course yet unconquered by Bogey, on the West Coast, where they may find a game interesting with the only extant relic in Florida of old time golfers, who believe in stymies and swear by foursomes.” – J. H. G. [John Hamilton Gillespie]

“We have a good hotel on the beach.”

WILLIE SMITH WINNER OF FIRST HONORS IN THE TAMPA BAY GOLF TOURNAMENT

Sunday, January 28, 1900

THE MORNING TRIBUNE

American Open Champion Maintains His Reputation and the Successful Series of Contests Closes With Some Pleasant Speeches and Prize Awards.

The Golfers Play Their Finals in Dispiriting Weather, Break One Record, make Some Crack Drives, and Hold a Happy Social Session – Going to Kissimmee – Harry Vardon, British Champion, is Coming.

The fine weather that had rendered the playing Thursday and Friday such an unqualified success, was marred yesterday by a lowering sky, a north wind and light, driving showers. Nevertheless, quite a large crowd witnessed the playing, among the spectators being Mr. Morton B. Plant, who witnessed the final with the keen appreciation of a true sportsman.

The course was the same as yesterday – over the regulation eighteen-hole links. Thirty-six holes were played – eighteen on the forenoon and eighteen in the afternoon.

Play was begun at 10 a. m. by Burlock. He made his first hole in five strokes, and Dunn – his opponent – in four.

The contest for the consolation was interesting, but Burlock did not play in quite the same form that characterized his match with Gillespie yesterday. Dunn, on the contrary, played an exceptionally fine game. To a Tribune reporter Burlock remarked:

“Tom Dunn played a game worthy of his best days. As he himself said. He had given up all idea of playing such a game again.”

The score for this event, according to medal play was:

Burlock – (first 9 holes) – 5 4 4 4 5 5 4 6 6 – 43:

            (second 9)       –  6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 –    46.       Total, 89.

Dunn – (first 9 holes) – 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 5 7 – 39:

            (second 9)       –  5 5 6 5 4 4 4 4 4 –    41.       Total, 80.

Dunn came in with 9 up at the close of the forenoon match.

The match between the two contestants for the $100 prize was intensely interesting. Public favor wagged as wide and diversely as a feather in a gale of wind. The magnificent showing of Rawlins in Friday’s game was set as almost an even balance against Smith’s acknowledged excellence. 

The scores were:

Smith – (first 9 holes) – 4 3 5 5 4 4 4 4 6 – 39:

            (second 9)       –  5 4 5 4 5 4 3 5 4 – 39.          Total, 78.

Rawlins – (first 9 holes) – 4 4 4 5 4 4 3 4 5 – 37:

            (second 9)       –  4 4 6 5 5 4 4 4 5 –    41.       Total, 78.

At the seventeenth hole, when both men were playing even, Smith drove his ball beyond bounds. There was some discussion as to whether the local or the association rules should apply, and it was decided to play according to the later. Smith, therefore, went back and drove from tee at his second stroke, losing the distance. Rawlins won this hole and came in on the eighteenth hole, one up, but Smith evened by clever playing. An extraordinary coincidence made their match scores 9, and their medal scores 78 each.

PLAY IN THE AFTERNOON

The large start that Dunn had gained on Burlock rendered it almost impossible for the latter to win. The game was short, and scored as followed:

Burlock – 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 – 30.

Dunn – 3 4 4 5 4 4 – 24.

It is not exaggerating to say that such a decisive victory as this over as cleaver a player as Burlock is ample cause for congratulation to Tom Dunn.

ABSORBING PLAY

Exciting as had been the match of Smith and Rawlins in the forenoon, that in the afternoon far surpassed it. From the first tee to the fourteenth hole, at which it ended, no such exhibition of golfing has ever been played on Southern links.

The game of Smith was almost faultless, but the general impression of Rawlins’ playing seemed to be that it did not do him entire justice.

The scores were:

Smith – (first 9 holes) – 4 3 3 3 3 5 4 5 5 – 35:

            (second 9)       –  4 4 4 5 3 4 5 4 4– 37.           Total, 72.

Rawlins – (first 9 holes) – 4 3 4 4 3 5 4 4 6 – 37:

            (second 9)       –  5 5 5 5 6 5 3 4 4 – 42.          Total, 79.

Smith won by 5 up and 4 to play.

The record for the eighteen-hole course had previously been 75, played last Friday by Harry Rawlins. Smith broke this record to-day by his phenomenal score of 72. His playing was judged by experts to be fully as fine as when he won the championship for 1899 at Baltimore.

DRIVING CONTEST.

After the conclusion of the match game, a prize for the best driving was competed for by the golfers. It was won by Servos, who made, (approximately) 220 yards, with Smith as second, who fell about ten yards short of this figure. The champion made a drive as long as the winner, but, unfortunately, it curved out of bounds. Low ran a close third, and Rawlins had the honor of driving six balls, each of which struck fair within the prescribed limit.

AWARD OF PRIZES.

The prizes were awarded in the music room of the hotel. Mayor Bower, assisted by Tom Dunn, officiated, and made the presentation in the following language:

“In behalf of the Tampa Bay Golf Club I wish to extend to you one and all a hearty welcome. There has been here for the past three days a most successful tournament. We are very pleased to have the pleasure of entertaining such distinguished golfers. We trust that their stay has been pleasant, and for our part, we have been pleased to have them with us.” (Applause.)

Mr. Dunn then responded as follows:

“It is with pleasure that I have to respond on behalf of my brother professionals and myself to your kindly welcome. I am sure I express the opinion of the whole company in saying that we have had a jolly good time here. The opinion of my brother professionals as regards the links is that there is in them the making of a good course.”

The prized were awarded as follows.

1.    Qualifying round - $1=25 – George Low.

2.    36-hole match play - $100 – “Willie” Smith.

A DRAMATIC MOMENT

As the winner stepped up to receive his award, the hotel orchestra struck up a few bars of “See, the Conquering Hero Comes.” This exemplification of Mr. Dick’s dramatic talent and managerial skill evoked loud and continuous applause.

3.    Runner-up in match play - $25 – Harry Rawlins.

4.    First Prize in consolation - $25 – Tom Dunn.

5.    Runner-up on consolation (value in plate) – W. E. Burlock, Jr.

6.    Driving contest – $2$ – L. Servos.

The announcement of each award and the presence of the victor were greeted with hearty applause. 

Colonel Gillespie was called upon, and responded in a short and interesting speech, which was greeted with much handclapping.

The orchestra then rendered a sweet, old Scotch song, the words of which were sung by Mr. Dunn, in a fine, rich baritone. He was repeatedly applauded, and came back to sing, “Auld Lang Syne.” The entire company – golfers and guests – joined in the chorus, which seemed to awaken a responsive thrill in every heart.

The evening closed dramatically by an orchestral rendition of “God Save the Queen,” a sentiment which every American present joined in expressing: and the “Star Bangled Banner,” which aroused almost riotous enthusiasm.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

“Willie” Smith, victor in the tournament, was born at Carnoustie, Scotland, twenty three years ago. He has been in this country for over two years. He won the open championship of America last September on the links of the Country club at Baltimore, and within two weeks contested for and was victorious at the Western championship.

Tom Dunn was born in Scotland, and is accredited with laying more golf links than any other man alive to-day. He has been victorious in numerous contests and has always been regarded as a formidable opponent. He instructed the Hon. W. E. Gladstone in the mysteries of the game, and inducted the Hon. A. J. Balfour (now leader of the House of Commons) into its secret pleasures.

George Low was born at Carnoustie; is 23 years of age, and played second in the match where Smith won the championship for this year.

Harry Rawlins was born at Bombay, India; is 23 years old, played in Bembridge, Isle of Wight; belongs to the Equinox Golf club, of New Hampshire, and has charge of the Tampa Bay links.

L. Servos is a Canadian, and was born at Niagara-on-the-lake; belongs to the White Mountains Golf club, and has charge of the links at Belleair.

Burlock is considered the best golfer among the American newspaper men; belongs to the Magnolia Golf club, Jacksonville; was born in New York.

J. Hamilton Gillespie was admitted to the Florida bar by Judge Phillips; has been a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf club of Scotland since 1872, and is captain of the Kissimmee Golf club, having laid out the links there.

GOLFERS LEAVE TAMPA

The contestants in the three-days tournament will leave early next week for Kissimmee, where the golf club of that place will hold a meet. It is not known whether they will play any except in friendly matches.

HARRY VARDON COMING

Harry Vardon, the great English crack golfer sailed from Liverpool yesterday. He has been forwarded an invitation by Colonel Dick, of the Tampa Bay hotel, to play his first match here. Should he consent, it will be contested somewhere about February 5. A match between this crack and the recent winner of the tournament would make the Tampa Bay links famous for all time.

FINALS COMING TODAY

Saturday, January 27, 1900

THE MORNING TRIBUNE

Yesterday’s Golfing Reveals Some Excellent Scoring.

RAWLINS MAKES A RECORD

HE AND SMITH WILL BE THE TWO PRINCIPAL PLAYERS IN THE CONCLUDING CONTESTS ON THE TAMPA BAY LINKS

The conditions that rendered Thursday such an ideal day for golfing were equally present yesterday. Not a cloud flecked the azure sky, and a light, bracing breeze swept the Tampa Bay links from start to finish.

Only eighteen holes were played in the semi-final match, and the run was made over the regulation course, including the nine holes within and the nine holes without the race-track.

The entire contest was in match play, the players drawing for their opponents.

The order of the playing was: – Smith vs. Servos; Dick vs. Dunn; Low vs. Rawlins; Gillespie vs. Burlock. Smith “teed off” at 10:30; both he and his opponent – Servos– made the first hole in five strokes.

The scores of the contestants for the $100 prize, according to medal play, were:

Smith – (first 9 holes) – 5 5 5 3 3 5 3 4 6 –     39:

            (second 9)       –  4 5 6 5 5 3 5 3 4 –    40.       Total, 79.

Servos – (first 9 holes) – 5 5 3 4 4 6 5 6 6 –    44:

            (second 9)       –  4 4 5 4 3 4 5 4 4  –   37.       Total, 81.

Smith won by 2 up and 1 to play.

Rawlins – (first 9 holes) – 4 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 5 – 39:

            (second 9)       –  4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 3 –    36.       Total, 75.

Low – (first 9 holes) – 4 4 4 6 5 6 4 4 6  –       43:

            (second 9)       –  4 4 5 5 6 4 5 4 4 –    41.       Total, 84.

Rawlins won by 5 up and 4 to play.

In the contest for the consolation prize, Dunn won from Dick by the nest score of 81; and Burlock from Gillespie by 2 up and 1 to play.

In comment upon the play yesterday attention may be called to the remarkable score of Rawlins, who made the circuit in 75 strokes. Dunn deserves especial mentions for having made his first nine holes in 36 – a remarkable score when taken in consideration with the small amount of playing which that gentleman has been doing lately. The contest between Burlock and Gillespie was spiriting, and hung in the balance until the seventeenth hole.

In the afternoon a friendly foursome in match play was contested by Col. A. E. Dick and Harry Rawlins vs. Tom Dunn and Col. J. Hamilton Gillespie. The following score show how closely the contest was from start to finish:

Gillespie and Dunn – (first 9 holes) – 4 2 5 5 4 6 6 5 5 – 42;

                                    (second 9) – 3 7 7 5 5 4 4 6 5 – 46. Total, 88.

Rawlins and Dick – (first 9 holes) – 6 4 3 4 6 5 5 5 7 – 45;

                                    (second 9) – 4 6 6 6 5 5 6 5 4 – 47. Total, 92.

The contesting parties come in even on the eighteenth hole, each having 9 to the good. It was, therefore, decided to play off three more holes to decide the contest, the scores for which were:

Gillespie and Dunn – 4 5 4 – 13.

Dick and Rawlins –     5 4 5 – 14.

Gillespie and Dunn won by 1 up.

On the whole, the contests yesterday were far more exciting than those on Thursday. The scores were better, the playing more scientific and the contestants evinced a keener interest in the issue of the game. The best sport, however, will undoubtedly be seen to-day. Thirty-six holes are to be played, eighteen in the afternoon, and the winners will be entitled to the two purses of $100 and $25, respectively. The prize for the highest medal score has already been won by George Low. Who the winners will be must be decided to-morrow.

LOW GETS FIRST LEAD

Friday, January 26, 1900

THE MORNING TRIBUNE

Great Golf Tournament Opens at Tampa Bay Links.

CRACK PLAYERS CONTESTING

Interesting Matches in the Semi-Finals To-Day, When the Professionals Will Begin to Work in Real Earnest

Yesterday was an ideal day for golfing – a clear sky and an atmosphere with just sufficient chill in it to make active exercise a pleasure. A large assemblage – among which were many ladies – witnesses the first day of the tournament given by the West Coast Golf association – enthusiasts even following their particular favorites twice around the nine-hole course.

The original intention seems to have been to play out the match on the none-hole course inside the race-track, but owing to objections raised by some of the players, this course was abandoned, and the other substituted. 

The links on which the tournament was played are in the open field outside the track, and constitute, with those inside, the regulation eighteen-hole course.

The names of the golfers and the clubs to which they belong, are as follows:

Col. A. E. Dick, Tampa Bay Golf club; Tom Dunn, Bournemouth (Eng.) Golf club; J. H. Gillespie, Kissimmee Golf club; Harry Rawlins, Tampa Bay Golf club; W. E. Burlock, Jr., Magnolia Golf Club; L. Servos, Belleair Golf club; George Low, Dike Meadow Golf club (Brooklyn, N. Y.); “Willie” Smith, Midlothian Golf club (Chicago), and A. L. Taylor.

Of this number, four – Rawlins, Servos, Smith and Low– were professionals.“Willie” Smith is the American open champion for 1899: Low won the recent golf tournament at Magnolia Springs, in which Rawlins came in second. Among the amateurs, Tom Dunn has charge of the links of the West Coast Golf association; Burlock is considered the best gofer among American reporters; Colonel Gillespie comes from Sarasota and Colonel Dick is too well known to need to mention here.

The meet was played off in three pairs, viz: Dick vs. Rawlins; Burlock vs. Servos; Low vs. Taylor, and a threesome – Dunn, Gillespie and Smith.

The tournament was opened by the genial host of the Tampa Bay, who “teed off” in regulation crimson coat and white duck trousers. The first hole was made by Rawlins in four strokes, and by Colonel Dick in eleven. The other golfers then followed in this order: – Burlock and Servos; Low and Taylor; Dunn, Gillespie and Smith.

The score for the eighteen holes played in the forenoon was as follows:

Dick –  (first 9 holes) – 11 4 7 6 6 6 8 6 7 –    61:

            (second 9)       –  9 5 7 8 8 9 6 7 6 –    65.       Total, 126.

Rawlins – (first 9 holes) – 4 4 6 5 4 6 5 4 6 – 44:

            (second 9)       –  4 4 5 6 5 4 6 5 5 –    44.       Total, 88.

Burlock – (first 9 holes) – 5 8 6 7 5 6 7 5 6 – 55:

            (second 9)       –  6 5 7 7 4 6 6 5 5 –    51.       Total, 106.

Servos – (first 9 holes) – 7 4 6 4 4 6 6 4 3 –    44:

            (second 9)       –  5 4 5 7 4 4 5 5 7 –    46.       Total, 90.

Low –  (first 9 holes) – 5 4 5 7 4 4 5 3 5 –       42:

            (second 9)       –  5 4 5 4 5 4 6 4 4 –    41.       Total, 83.

Taylor – (first 9 holes) – 8 5 7 7 8 5 9 6 5 –    60:

            (second 9)       –  6 6 6 7 8 9 9 5 5  –   61.       Total, 121.

Dunn – (first 9 holes) – 6 5 6 5 4 4 6 6 6 –      48:

            (second 9)       –  5 3 6 6 8 5 7 6 7 –    54.       Total, 102.

Gillespie – (first 9 holes) – 5 5 5 8 5 6 8 4 5 – 51:

            (second 9)       –  5 5 6 7 6 6 8 4 4 –    51.       Total, 102.

Smith – (first 9 holes) – 5 5 4 5 6 4 6 5 8 –     48:

            (second 9)       –  4 4 5 5 4 5 5 4 4 –    40.       Total, 88.

This program was slightly altered in the afternoon, owing to the loss of Taylor, who decided not to continue in the tournament. Smith was substituted in his place, and he and Low played the eighteen holes that continued the match.

At 3 o’clock Servos “teed off,” and was followed by his opponent – Burlock. The order of the golfers in the afternoon was: Servos vs. Burlock; Dick vs. Rawlins; Smith vs. Low; Gillespie vs. Dunn.

The score by holes was:

Servos – (first 9 holes) – 4 2 5 10 4 6 8 5 5 – 49:

            (second 9)       –  5 4 6 7 5 4 6 7 5 –    49.       Total, 98.

Burlock – (first 9 holes) – 5 4 7 8 6 4 6 5 6 – 53:

            (second 9)       –  5 4 7 8 6 4 6 5 6 –    51.       Total, 104.

Dick –  (first 9 holes) – 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 6 6  –      57:

            (second 9)       –  6 3 8 7 5 6 6 6 4 –    51.       Total, 108.

Rawlins – (first 9 holes) – 6 5 4 6 4 4 5 4 6 – 44:

            (second 9)       –  5 5 3 6 5 4 5 4 5 –    42.       Total, 86.

Smith – (first 9 holes) – 4 5 6 5 3 5 5 4 4 –     41:

            (second 9)       –  5 4 4 5 5 4 6 4 4 –    41.       Total, 82.

Low –  (first 9 holes) – 4 3 5 4 4 5 4 5 6 –       40:

            (second 9)       –  6 3 5 4 4 5 7 4 5 –    43.       Total, 83.

Gillespie – (first 9 holes) – 7 7 6 7 6 6 5 5 5 – 54:

            (second 9)       –  not taken.

Dunn –(first 9 holes) – 8 4 7 5 3 4 7 4 4 –      46:

            (second 9)       –  not taken.

The playing yesterday left Low a winner by the small margin of four over Smith; eight over Rawlins and twenty-two over Servos.

According to the rules of the tournament, these four will play to-day in two pairs.

A consolation prize will also be competed for by the four contestants with lowest scores.

Undoubtedly the best playing will be seen to-day and Saturday. Yesterday the golfers were merely qualifying for to-day’s match, and did not exert themselves to the utmost. To-day, however, we may expect to see some fine golfing and, possibly, some records broken.

SEND US YOUR STORIES!

3400 Clark Drive   Sarasota Florida   34234   FriendsoBJGC@icloud.com