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.

hartshorne takes pro post at new links in florida

1926

Bill Hartshorne, professional at the Briergate Golf Club, near Deerfield, will have the distinction of presiding over Sarasota’s new course, the Bobby Jones Municipal Links, this Winter.

The dedication ceremonies are scheduled early in January and Bill will leave Chicago for Florida right after New Year’s Day. Hartshorne will return to Briergate early in April.

The new course will be operated on a semipublic basis, with a limited membership. It is hoped to have Bobby Jones in person at the dedication.

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 LURE IN FLORIDA DRAWS GAME’S BEST TO THIS STATE

FRIDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 17, 1925

SARASOTA DAILY TIMES

SARASOTA AWARDED PROMINENT PLACE ON MAP OF SPORT

BOBBY JONES, TOM ARMOUR AND JIM DONALDSON, STARS OF INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION, WILL DRAW GOLF WORLD’S ATTENTION HERE

The gold rush of the ‘40’s and the diamond boom in Africa are now made to look more or less pikerish by the Florida sky-rocketing, and in all the advertisements and in back of all the hotel propositions is the one actual lure – golf. Look over the field from any angle – real estate, population, industries, ad infinitum – and on every hand the first thought is to provide facilities for the royal ancient game.

Golf in Florida this year is going to set a new standard financially. Resorts scattered throughout the states have stopped at nothing to sign up their favorite professionals as representatives and the “pro” who does not do well in Florida this season is a poor business man, to say the least. With few exceptions, all of the stars who have made golf history during the last decade will be there, playing in exhibitions matches and in general proving a great advertisement for their respective clubs or hotels.

Prized undiscussed in days gone by are being offered for open tournaments, one in particular being the $15,000 purse to be put up for a 72-hole meeting over the Hialeah course at Miami. Later the international fourball matches will also be played at Miami for a $6,000 purse.

FLORIDA GOLF LEAGUE

The Florida golf league will again function this season but not quite as strenuously as in the past. It is understood that only one match a week will be played, and much of the teams will be guaranteed a fixed sum instead of being asked to take a chance on the gate. It is estimated that fifty new golf courses have been built in Florida since a year ago. Two new propositions are Coral Gables and the Miami-Biltmore Country Club.

This last named organization as its name suggests, is in the same family as the Westchester Biltmore Country Club and John McEnter Bowman is the power behind the game. A new million dollar hotel has been built at Miami in conjunction with the two 18-hole and one 9-hole conceived by Donald Ross. One course was completed last winter and the full 45 holes will be in play when the season gets under way. Bowman is president of the club, with Charles P. Flynn, vice-president and Lt. Roy Jackson, managing director, George E. Merrick is the central figure of the Coral Gables enterprise.

One of the pleasures of the Florida visitors will be the opportunity of seeing Bobby Jones, the national amateur champion, in action. Jones as a rule confines his tournament golf to the United States Golf Association meetings, but this year he will play with Tommy Armour as a team representing the Whitfield Estates in Sarasota. Jimmie Donaldson, the popular Finimore “pro” will also be at Sarasota.

MACFARLANE AT HOLLYWOOD

Will Macfarlane, the national open champion, will be located at Hollywood, along with several other well know players, while Gene Sarazen and Leo Diegel will pair as a combination in Golf Park near Miami. Jim Barnes, the British champion, will return to Temple Terrace.

One of the busiest men in the South this year will be Alex Smith, who may have to use the airplane in order to make the rounds. Alex will divide his time between Miami-Biltmore’s 45-hole layout and the two courses at Belleair, Florida. Walter Hagen, as president of the Pasadena Estates proposition will play with Gil Nicholls in the league, while Mike Brady will return to the Miami Country. Wilfred Reid has signed with St. Augustine and Jimmie Maiden will locate at Sebring. There will be only a few “floating” professionals this season, and those who have decided to drift from place to place to play for the prizes should “clean up”. This group inlcides Macdonald Smith, the western champion; Joe Turnesa, the Pennsylvania title-holder and Joe Kirkwood, the trick-shot artist.

It is said that in the spring the young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love; well, in the winter the golfer’s fancy turns to Florida, and who can wonder? It’s the land of flowers and moon-lit nights; the land of sunshine and romance. And what does it matter if it’s also the land of missed putts and shots that go astray?

Florida is preparing for its busy season and an army of golfers will “attack” the courses. Plans are being made to entertain more visitors than ever before, and the railroad officials are going around in circles. Extra steamship facilities have been provided – but woe to the aspiring one who does not make early reservations!

GOLF AND PROSPERITY

Golf and prosperity go hand in hand. It has ever been the history of the game that where courses have been established and country clubs organized, the population has increased and the land values have soared. Therefore it is logical that the various Chambers of Commerce should point first to golf to lure the Northerner. And the visitor will get value received, for untold sums are being spent to beautify the courses and to provide for the comfort of the traveler.

There’s a string of golf courses right through the state; from Jacksonville south and to the west; to Miami and Key West, southward to Pensacola in the far west; to St. Petersburg and Tampa and through every city and resort worthy of the name. Those who are inclined to minimize the Florida boom would do well to remember that its foundation is not built on sand; where golf facilities are provided, there the golfer will go, though it is thousands of miles from the center of things.

JONES TELLS HOW TO PLAY GAME ON WHITFIELD LINKS

AMATEUR CHAMP GIVES HELPFUL POINTERS TO GOLF BUGS

Golfers of this section now participating in the two weeks golfing event as the guests of the Whitfield Estates golf club will be able to make better and more satisfactory games by following the instructions of Bobby Jones, national amateur champion, who by playing the new course ten times can be taken as an authority on this particular piece of golf designing of Donald Ross.

Bobby’s experiences on the handsome Whitfield course were related recently in the Atlanta Journal by O. B. Keeler, that celebrated sports writer of the of the South. In this article Bobby goes into the details of the course and how it should be played to obtain the maximum results. He notes the hard spots, and tells his trials at the various holes.

He points out the fact that the course in the same distance on land as it is by air, a pure golf layout in this respect. The course is without undulations, it has eight holes of lengths of 415 to 425 yards, a treacherous range that puts most exacting demands on the shot maker, yet it is not more forbidding to the average golfer than the experienced tournament player.

The short holes are varied, first shots ranging all the way from a spade mashie to a spoon, on holes that are parred in three. This variety, as the five shot holes each different is distinctly unusual on any course. There are eight water hazards, these beautiful streams are well placed, as not to over penalize the good shots.

The way Bobby has played the course is as follows:

No. 1 – 416 yards – Par 4 – Requires good strong drive and an iron second shot with No. 3 or 4 iron. Drive must be kept to right of fairway to avoid bad lie in a swell that crosses course.

No. 2 – 429 yards – Par 4 – Drive here must also hold right side of fairway: sight elbow necessary to avoid bunkers; green trapped right and left.

No. 3 – 365 yards – Par 4 – Drive and mashie niblick, slight dog leg; ideal shot played with draw to clear bunkers to left of green and give open shot to the green. A good hole for long hitters.

No. 4 – 138 yards – Par 3 – One-shot hole for mashie or spade mashie. A difficult hole  to play is to a small green, trapped in front and on sides, but not in rear – designed for bold, straight play.

No. 5 – 382 yards – Par 4 – Decided dog-leg that crosses water twice. Drive may carry 200 yards without penalty of rough or water, if straight. Good drive and No. 3 iron well-played will reach the green.

No. 6 – 332 yards – Par 4 – Good drive and mashie niblick will carry to the well trapped plateau green.

No. 7 – 548 yards – Par 5 – Good man-sized hole requiring splendid drive, excellent brassie second and perfect mashie niblick to get home. Two elbows to be negotiated and one water to be crossed.

No. 8 – 176 yards – Par 3 – A jewel among the short holes, requiring a stiff slap from a No. 2 iron. Water most be crossed, and the creek that runs just in front of the green takes an angle that is sure death for the sliced tee shot – the usual short hole fault. Small green but little trouble behind it of the shot is straight.

No. 9 – 451 yards – Par 5 – Requires a driver and a brassie or a long spoon second. Drive must hug the left side of the fairway and the second must be played over the edge of a deep grass hollow to keep away from trouble.

Out 3,327 yards – Par 36.

No. 10 – 434 yards – Par 4 – Will require a drive and No. 3 or 4 iron. A straight hole with trouble comparatively eliminated.

No. 11 – 449 yards – Par 4 – Uphill with a drive and a long spoon to a turtle-back green that calls for a run-up shot, since there is little chance for a high pitch to hold on the sloping green. The putting surface is comparatively small but there is little trouble around the green.

No. 12 – 358 yards – Par 4 – Takes a drive and a mashie niblick or spade mashie. Creek crosses fairway about 300 yards from tee. Hole is down hill and must be played to the left of fairway.

No. 13 – 218 yards – Par 3 – Good spoon shot up hill, from a high tee with the green trapped on both sides.

No. 14 – 379 yards – Par 4 – Drive and mashie with water to be crossed. Play must be straight.

No. 15 – 433 yards – Par 4 – More water to be crossed; drive and No. 3 iron to a punchbowl green with no traps close but an abundance of mounds that will make trouble for the careless. Must be played to the left to avoid trouble on the right.

No. 16 – 191 yards – Par 3 – The large tee permits choice of shots ranging from a No. 2 iron to a spoon. The green is well trapped.

No. 17 – 451 yards – Par 5 – Downhill journey for a drive and No. 2 Green will up and saucer shaped, wide open for the shot.

No. 18 – 438 yards – Par 4 – A drive and a good stiff iron required to be up to the large green.

In 3,261 yards – Par 35; 6,588 yards – Par 71.

PALMETTO COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE OPENS ON SUNDAY

The last nine holes of the beautiful 18-hole Golf Course of the Palmetto County Club will be opened for play on Sunday. The course is in first class condition and has been pronounced by many of those who have had the opportunity of going over it as one of the most beautiful courses in the South, the tropical setting being very unique and beautiful.

Until further notice there will be no increase in the fees and visiting golfers are invited to play on this splendid 18-hole course.

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.

Sarasota pro sets new mark

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1925

fort lauderdale news, THE TAMPA TIMES, THE TENNESSEAN (NASHVILLE) [ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Sarasota, Feb. 17. - W.G. (Bill) Hartshorn, of Chicago, professional at the Sarasota Golf club course, toppled the record of the course here yesterday when he turned in a 69. Par at the local course, made by Bobby Jones, national champion, formerly was 71.

The first nine holes were made by Hartshorn in 33, while the second nine holes he finished with a total of 35.

NOVEMber 14, 1924

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Bob MacDonald’s big course in the Letter building was crowded yesterday, Jock Hutchison and Chick Evans being among the players trying their game. MacDonald will have for assistants at present Alec Duncan and Jim Gourlay. Later he may increase the force of instructors.

Billy Hartshorn, who has been with MacDonald for a year, has a southern assignment for the winter, at the Sarasota Golf club in Florida. Hartshorn will leave Dec. 1 and return to Chicago some time in April.

PARTY VISITS SITE OF KEY GOLF COURSE

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1924

SARASOTA HERALD-TRUBUNE

President Woolley is Host to Several Who Hike Over Grounds

President F. F. Woolley, of the new Sarasota golf course, was host to a “beach” party yesterday morning. His guests were Owen Burns, loaded with a blue print, Clarence E. Hitchings, F. P. Dean, Engineer Kimmel, George W. Moore and Secretary Powell. The trip including a three mile walk through the palmetto breaks to the nursery, thence to the beach and four miles, or fourteen miles, as some claim, back to the landing.

The idea of the trip was to get a superficial survey of the golf course and start Engineer Kimmell off on his survey.

To see a key with land as rich as the Everglades proven by the growth of the nursey stock, and the immense fig and sea grape and palm and pine trees, was a revelation, as well to note the artsesian flow of water from pipe of eight inch flow, Here was shown three grass plots of bermuda, St. Austine and carpet grass – the Bermuda being from seed in one plat and from planted grass in another. These plats have had two months growth and it is very evident that the greens and fairways will be of the best when they are planted.

As Donald Ross said: “Here can be built the most unique course in all the world – with the bay on one side and the gulf on the other – with a wealth of tropical trees, and a rolling top, permitting of hazards that will make it classy playing.” 

No one can see Long Boat Key with its sandy beaches on bay and gulf sides, and the wealth of vegetation without being sold on it as a whole.

MUGGSY BANS GOLF AS PASTIME FOR PLAYERS

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1924

THE DISPATCH (Moline ILLINOIS)

New York, March 4. - Manager McGraw of the Giants signalized his arrival at Sarasota by banning golf as a ballplayer’s pastime. A similar edict has been issued by Ty Cobb. The general theory is said to be an opinion that attention can not be given to golf without a lessen gin interest in baseball.

NOVEMber 16, 1923

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Bill Hartshorn, for six years assistant to Bob MacDonald, is now with the Sarasota club of Florida. Soon after his arrival Bill set a new record of 35 for the course when playing a round with Mr. and Mrs. Louis Lancaster of the Westmoreland club. Par for the course is 38.

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.

SMITH A WINNER AT GOLF

Sunday, January 28, 1900

BEATS RAWLINS AT TAMPA IN RECORD GAME OVER THE COURSE

The New York Times

Special to the New York Times

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 27 – Willie Smith, the open champion for the United States, played phenomenal golf her to-day in the finals of the three days’ tournament, thereby winning the purse of $100. He not only beat Harry Rawlins by six-up and four to play, but lowered the record established by Rawlins yesterday by three points, making it 72. Rawlins played a fine game, but the pace commended to tell on him toward the end of the second round, while Smith still played in beautiful form.

They started off this morning with long drives, halving the first hole in four. On the second Smith drove his ball twelve feet from the hole, Rawlins putted his to the left. Smith won in three to four. Indifferent putting by Smith gave Rawlins the third in four to five, making the game square. Both played the fourth in regulation five. On the fifth they cleared all hazards and halved the hole. The sixth was halved in par four. By superior mashie play Rawlins won out the seventh in three to four. On the eighth Smith overdrove Rawlins twenty yards, but by fine short play the latter was able to make a half and the outward hole went to Rawlins with five to six, making him two up. Turning for home, Rawlins holed a wonderful four to Smith’s five. At eleven Rawlins pulled off a half by holing a fifteen-foot putt. The twelfth or long fell to Smith by skillful mashie work. On the thirteenth he was unlucky in getting a bad lie from his drive, but recovered and after playing two more, actually won. The fourteenth proved a good half in five, as did the fifteenth in four. Smith evened up the game on the sixteenth by holing a putt from the edge of the green, but on the seventeenth drove out of bounds to the right and had to return to tee for another play. Rawlins won this, which made him dormie. With the aid of a 200-yard carry, Smith won the last hole, and they were then all even.

After the second round started it was early seen that the record game was in store for the spectators. In the last nine Smith did the first five holes in 16 and Rawlins 18. Phenomenal playing of this kind has never been seen in this part of the country. The men kept up this gait for the remaining four holes, when the totals read: Smith, 35; Rawlins, 37. Their medal scores were: Smith 78-72; Rawlins 78-79.

In the second division Tom Dunn won the consolation prize of $25 by defeating W. E. Burlock, Jr., fourteen up. Lancelot Servos made the longest drive in the contest that followed the match, thus winning a purse of $10. His ball carried 230 yards. Smith and Low were both over the 200-yard mark, as was Rawlins.

GOLF CONTESTS AT TAMPA

Saturday, January 27, 1900

The New York Times

RAWLINS DEFEATS LOW AND WILL MEET SMITH TO-DAY

Special to the New York Times

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 26 – Harry Rawlins beat out all new-comers to-day in a game of almost perfect golf. He was matched against George Low in the semi-finals, 19 holes, and beat him by 5 up and 4 to play. In addition to this, he beat bogey one stroke, making the course in 75. His opponent to-morrow will be Willie Smith, who met Launcelot Servos to-day and defeated him 2 up and 1 to play.

Both matches were strongly contested. Smith and Low were somewhat handicapped by playing over a new course against men accustomed to the lay of the land. The first three holes in their match were halved, the fourth went to Rawlins, the fifth halved, the sixth to Rawlins. This made them even. Then the seventh and eighth were halved. Rawlins made the ninth and was three up. After this Low could do no better than halve holes.

After warm work between Smith and Servos, they were even on the fifteenth hole, and Smith won the sixteenth and seventeenth, where Servos’s ball fell in the sand road, and he lost the match in lifting it out. Smith scored 2 up and 1 to play.

Tom Dunn beat Col. Dick, 9 up, and W. E. Burlock, Jr., defeated Col. Gillespie, 2 up and 1 to play. This will bring Dunn and Burlock together in the finals to-morrow, 36 holes.

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.

GOLF AT TAMPA

Friday, January 26, 1900

THE NEW YORK TIMES

PROFESSIONALS FROM MAGNOLIA TOURNAMENT PLAY FOR QUALIFICATION

Special to The New York Times

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 25 - After a ride of six hours the professionals who were star players in the Magnolia tournament reached here last night. They found many golf enthusiasts awaiting their arrival with interest, as was evidenced by the large number of spectators on the links this morning.

Partly from the change of climate and partly from the effects of long games in the preceding tournament, the men became tired after playing thirty-six holes for qualification. George Low is in the lead, closely followed by Willie Smith. On the second round Smith’s ball fell into a ditch, and he lost three strokes getting it out. Tom Dunn played in fine style, but was unlucky with two balls. One fell into the mat of Palmetto shrub that skirts the course, and will never be found even by caddies.

Among those entered were five professionals and three amateurs. Four qualified for the first division in the match play of eighteen holes to-morrow, and four for the second division. The qualifying scores were as follows:

George Low, 83, 83 - 166; Willie Smith, 88, 82 - 170; Harry Rawlins, 88, 86 - 174; Launcelot Servos, 90, 98 - 188; Tom Dunn, 102, 93 - 195; J. Hamilton Gillespie, 102, 109 - 211; W. E. Burlock, Jr., 104, 106 -210; A. E. Dick, 122, 108 - 230.

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.

GOLF AT MAGNOLIA SPRINGS

Tuesday, January 23, 1900

The New York Times

GEORGE LOW OF BROOKLYN LEADS IN THE DAY’S PLAY

Special to the New York Times

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Fla., Jan. 22 – With fair weather the West Coast golf tournament opened to-day, while the number of entries was smaller than looked for. It included the names of Wille Smith of Chicago, present open champion, and George Low of Dyker Meadow, Brooklyn. The event had been changed to an open one to include amateurs and players who are here from Jacksonville, Kissimee, and other places.

On the completion of the first nine holes in qualification round, Wille Smith was leading, with a score of 41, closely followed by George Low, with 43. The order was reversed, however, at the end, by Low making 37 and Smith 41, thereby giving Low the medal prize of $25 on a total of 80. Low played a first-class game all through, characterized by long, steady drives. The course here is in fairly good condition. It has recently been rolled, and worked over, but the turf will improve as it is played over. Tom Dunn, golfer in chief, has great confidence in its good qualities.

The qualifying scores were as follows:

George Low, Dyker Meadow, 43, 37, 80; Willie Smith, Chicago, 41, 41, 82; Harry Rawlins, Tampa, 44, 46, 90; Joseph Mitchell, Jacksonville, 47, 48, 95; Blon H. Barnett, Jacksonville, 53, 44, 97; Launcelot Servos, Kissimee, 52, 45, 97; W. E. Burlock, Jr., New York; 48, 51, 99; Harold Brown, Magnolia, 52, 47, 99; Col. J. H. Gillespie, Kissimee, 50, 50, 100; Isaac Brereton, Jacksonville, 56, 55, 111; Philip Honeyman, Magnolia, 60, 62, 122.

In the match play, eighteen-hole scores this afternoon, Low beat Smith 2 up and 1 to play; Rawlins beat Mitchell 3 up and 2 to play; Brereton beat Brown 5 up and 4 to play; Gillespie beat Burlock 4 up and 3 to play; Servos beat Honeyman 7 up.

Blon H. Barnett, who defeated Watson at St. Augustine, drew the bye and will play Brereton to-morrow, 18 holes. Low and Rawlins will meet on thirty-six hole match for the prize of $100. Gillespie will play Servos eighteen holes. The prize for the amateurs will be of silver plate.

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