[Thomas MacWood]

Quincy Adams Shaw was a wealthy Bostonian whose family made a fortune in mining. Shaw was a member of Myopia, dating back to the very early days, and one of the finest amateur golfers in New England. He was also a founding member of the NGLA.

Reportedly Shaw had a nervous breakdown in 1915 and spent the next ten years hospitalized. When he got out the story goes that he was encouraged to build golf course, it was thought the process would a good outlet, assisting his recovery. From what I understand the family had a place out on Cape Cod at Eastham, for hunting purposes I believe, and it was there he decided to build his golf course. The story is well documented in Dan Wexler's second book. It took two or three years to build (1925-1928 or 1926-1928), and when it was completed some claimed it was one of the best courses in world.

Is it possible a recovering mad man could design and build one of the world's best courses on his own? And if he had help, who would be the likely candidate or candidates?

[Brad Tufts]

Hi Tom,

Who claimed it "one of the best in the world"?

Whereas Myopia/Aiken/Chicago GC/GCGC were clearly among the best in the 20th century's first decade without much well-built competition, Cedar Bank Links would have some tough competition by the mid-to-late 20's.

I too find it interesting that a "madman" (mid-20s definition) could design a course of some acclaim.  Could it have been the influential folks he invited to see it that sang it's praises to impress their host who was also the course's designer?

[Thomas MacWood]

A 1928 Boston Evening Transcript article claimed it was, "One of the finest natural layouts in the world."  I don't know the identity of the author, although I believe Linde Fowler was the editor of that newspaper. You may know Fowler was well respected nationally as a golf writer.

Based upon the map of the course and the limited photos I've seen I believe the course was the real deal. Not long by today's standard at 6500 yds par-70, but plenty long back in the day, and the setting was/is spectacular.

If the course had survived, this is how Wexler concluded the course would stack up today,"But left in its original form, Cedar Bank would surely be among the most talked about courses in New England, not so much for its overall challenge but rather for its marvelous setting, unique history, conspicuous cache of All-World holes."

The choice of the word 'conspicuous' is interesting.

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