EARLY GOLF AT PIHEHDRST
C, L. Becker Tells of tie Winning of
the First Cup
And ! Apc of the Cure
When Vardon Made Ills
Faiuoni VUit
It was just 21 years ago that the as
tonished turkey hunters in this old set
tlement first began to wonder what mad
ness had seized the Yankee that was
building the hotel near Linden on Page's
old logging road. They could understand
that it was to be a beautiful place called
Pinehurst. And that any wise resident
of Boston or the North pole would be
glad to come dip into their sunshine and
ride the sandy paths without needing a
bear skin and an oil stove every minute
of the day. . But what earthly purpose
out of bedlam could be served by ripping
up the lean earth, they could not con
ceive. TURNING A DEER RUN INTO A GOLF LINKS
The cause of this bewilderment were
the operations James W. Tufts, who
founded the village, and Dr. D. L. Culver
were up to in the fall of 1897. Doctor
Culver was, and is, a famous sportsman,
perhaps best known at the traps where
he is the peer of any man. In those
days, before the advent of the golf archi
tect and landscape surgeon, these gentle
men were probably as competent as any
men alive to undertake the daring pro
ject of turning a lumber region and a
deer run into a golfing mecca.
By the first of February a nine hole
wonder had immerged from the sticks and
the first ball was driven over a fair way
since become famous in the annals of the
game. The native skeptics were not the
only ones that marvelled. In the local
paper Ave find an announcement of the
opening of the course by Dr. Culver at
that time. And the general attitude of
the public in regard to a game now num
bering probably more players than any
other in the world, can be judged by
the fact that Culver considered it neces
sary to assure his readers that golf was
a "regular" game, and one that he felt
sure would outlast its "novelty."
rilARRE THE FIRST CHAMPION
However there were even then a strong
nucleus of enthusiasts and these rapidly
congregated to try out the new links.
J- D. Tucker of Stockbridge was en
gaged as the first professional, and a
handicap tournament, medal play, devel
oped a 97, made by the veteran Geo. C.
Button. The Cut) was won that vear bv
X . . -
Dr. E. R. Pharre of Brooklyn, with a card
oi 89, the best net score of the year.
It is a tribute to the ability and fore
sight of the rlfisiomers that this first out
O y
lay, this first breaking into the woods
"as stood the test of all the study and
development mflVlfi sinpft in t.hfl construc
tion of grolf courses. The 60 acres laid
out that vear have seen the tread of a
million feet. The exact same holes of
course no longer can be found. But they
form the nucleus, providing the basis of
tne present Number 1 course. And they
were identical with nine holes of what
was Number 1 within a few years. The
old champions and friends of the village
will recognize them bv number. Mr.
J ames Tufts ' first hole was a short pitch
of 118 yards, the very, same that for so
many years was number 3 on the First
Course. It may. be of some interest to
preserve the fading record of this primi
tive but enduring battle ground. In set
ting the location of this course out in the
following table, we wish it borne in mind
that in speaking of Number 1 course, we
mean number 1 as it was known to a gen
eration of players before remodelled by
Donald Ross.
Hole on First 9 was hole on No. 1 Yards
1 3 118
Z 4 314
3 5 214
4 6 and 7 475
5 16 500
6 17 160
7 18 340
8 1 150
9 2 290
Making a total of 2561 yards for the nine
holes with a bogey of 39.
Tufts' faith in the future of the game
and of the location selected for the course
was demonstrated oy nis ouiiding tne
club house hard upon the completion of
the links. The old country club was
finished that same year 1898 and still
forms a neucleus, although a small one,
of the present club.
VARDON MAKES A RECORD
Within two years, this woodsman's
wonder, this Sandhill pasture had be
come so well recognized in the golfing
world that Vardon made a point of com
ing to Pinehurst and playing over the
course on his famous trip through the
United States. Meantime of course an
other nine holes had been added, covering
something more than 150 acres.
March 9th and 10th, 1900 were Vardon
days at the Country Club, still remem
bered, and commemorated by them the
card of his best round, framed and
signed, and hanging in the office. He
played four, rounds, scoring 78, 75, 71
and 75. The 71 was not only the best
record ever made over the course up to
that time, but it was a clear ten strokes
better than had been recorded.
The course made famous at the time
by . this visit of Vardon was the Old
Number One, and was 5176 yards long.
DONALD ROSS CHANGES THE LANDSCAPE
Soon thereafter the aspect of the entire
surrounding country began to change by
degrees. For it was in the following
autumn that Donald Ross came to take
charge of golf at the resort, and to de
velop the science of golf course construc
tion and finess to the point it has now
reached. He superintended and devised
the changes on this old number one, and
built the other three courses that are now
in commission. Chronologically these
additional courses appeared on the scene,
The first nine of No. 2 in 1902.
The second nine of No. 2 in 1907.
The first nine of No. 3 in 1908.
The second nine of No. 3 in 1911.
First 6 of No. 4 in 1915.
The first nine of No. 4 were completed
in 1916.
The last nine of number 4 are now
under construction.
Learn to Shoot Moving
Objects
i The secret of the fascination of trap
shooting is in the flying target.
Its constant challenge to the gunner's
skill, stirs the blood of pioneer Americans
that runs in his veins.
Every man every woman should know
how to shoot and hit what is shot at. The
best place to learn is at the local trapshoot-
iD club.
Learn why by reading our booklet
"The Sport Alluring" sent free with address
of nearest club where you can learn how
7J
- i
( . J -V 11
Wilmington, - Delaware
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