Some Help Please

[Jim_Kennedy]

I am trying to compile a list of golf instructors who taught indoors, preferably in NYC. I'm familiar with Ernest Jones, but I'd like to know if there were any others around that same period.

Any help out there? Thanks

[Bob_Huntley]

Iim


I believe Phil Galvano might have done so. He also wrote an instrructional book.

Bob

[Bob_Huntley]

I am trying to compile a list of golf instructors who taught indoors, preferably in NYC. I'm familiar with Ernest Jones, but I'd like to know if there were any others around that same period.

Any help out there? Thanks

Jim,

Walter Keller, an old pro and a member at Riviera, did so in his shop on Westwood Boulevard in L.A.

It is where he taught Amy Alcott to play as a youngster.

Bob
 

[Tony_Muldoon]

Jim are you interested in overseas, as there have have been indoor schools in London for at least a century?  I've seen bits and pieces about them and PG Wodehouse even refers to one in a story.  I believe Henry Cotton was associated with one for a time.

[Joe Bausch]

In my gathering of articles from the early 1900's in the Philly newspapers, all kinds of guys taught indoors in the winter.  I don't specifically recall any names, but I was surprised how popular indoor golf was say roughly around 1910.  Heck, they had many winter indoor golf tourneys here in Philly!

[Jim_Kennedy]

Bob,
Thanks for the info re P.G. & W.K.

Tony,
At the moment I don't think I'll need any names from places other than NY, all though the knowledge that indoor studios existed in London at that time is helpful.


Joe,
Insert 'Philadelphia' where it says 'London' in the above.   


Thanks to all!

[Joe Bausch]

Joe,
Insert 'Philadelphia' where it says 'London' in the above.   


Thanks to all!

You said 'preferably' Jim.  Please be more specific next time.  Thank you very much.   

[Jim_Kennedy]

Joe,
You're right, I did. 
If it isn't much trouble and you come across a name or two please send it along.
A friend of mine is in the process of opening such a place in NYC and I'm trying to get him some info for a press release his editor( he also wrote a very good book on instruction) is preparing for him.

Thanks again 

[Phil_the_Author]

There were 7 Strafaci brothers from Brooklyn who played and taught throughout the NY area from the '30's until the early 80's. Frankie Strafaci won the 1935 Public Links and defended it at Bethpage  where he lost in the quarter-finals. His older brother Thomas gave me lessons at Bethpage in the '70's.

I am certain that some or all of the brothers may have.

[Mike_Cirba]

Jim,

Joe Coble taught indoors on Market Street in Philly.

He was the 1924 US Publinks Champ before turning pro, and played in a US Am, a few US Opens and several PGA Championships during the 20s and 30s.

[Jim_Kennedy]

I am certain that some or all of the (Strafacci)brothers may have-P. Young

OK Phil, what's it going to be?


thanks Mike.

[Bill_McBride]

There was a guy in San Francisco who taught indoors downtown up until the 70s.  Don't remember his name, maybe some of the NorCal guys do.

[Pete_Pittock]

Check some of the on-line old time print media for advertisements.

[Phil_the_Author]

Jim, I am 100% sure that at least one of them did without having any proof. Therefor I am certain that one of them may have...  

In all seriousness, the Strafaci's taught all over the tri-state area and I would not be surprised if one or more of then taught indoors.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Jim if you want speculation then...


Fact: Golf as originally played in Scotland was a winter game.

Have you ever been to Scotland on 21st December?   There is daylight for about 10 minutes

Given the above my conclusions are.

1
It's no wonder people there like to play fast.


2
Given that, people with the means to pay for lessons were also the ones with high ceilinged rooms.

Hence you can confidently tell your friend the first indoor lesson was given on the 7th January 1547, in Hollyrood Castle, to  Mary Queen of Scots by OLd Old Old Old Thomas Morris esq.  - And not even Melvyn knew that.

[Joe Bausch]

Better late than never Jim!  Here is an article announcing the first indoor golf course in Philly, from the Jan 10, 1915 issue of the Philadelphia Record.  Within it is that Isaac Mackie is the pro at the course at the Gimbel Brothers store in NYC: