Joe,
Thanks for posting that article and thanks to Kirk for supplying it to them, and Kirk thanks again for sending me copies of these articles about a year ago. I thought we had discussed them on here, but maybe it was through IMs.
I haven't double checked but I think the chapter just posted was very similar or the same to the Chapter in Whigham's book.
Kirk, I would love a copy. And if you desire, I can host it on my site and make it available on this thread for all to read.
Do we know if these are the only two articles written by 'Chief Wiggum' in Scribner's?
Joe
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Joe, HJ Whigham was among other things a writer, editor, theater critic, and war correspondent. So there are many other articles, in Scribners and elsewhere. There are more articles touching on golf as well, although I do not know how many were in Scribners. These include a comparison of the Americans and British when it comes to golf, and the articles he wrote with Macdonald for Golf Illustrated, and more.
He was really an incredible figure across a number of fields, which makes it all the more insane the kind of treatment he has received around here, with the caricatures and mockery and the like. In fact I believe that this horrid treatment was what motivated Kirk Gil to find these articles in the first place. If I recall correctly he couldn't quite believe that these guys could possibly have been talking about the same H.J. Whigham with whom he was familiar.
I didn't know much about him, but have looked into him quite a bit. The more I learn about this man, the more I realize how impressive he was. Sure, he didn't own a railroad or a shipping company, or rule Wall Street or whatever Philadelphia thinks is the Philadelphia equivalent, but his writing demonstrated an incredible intellect and a sophisticated and multifaceted understanding of just about whatever subject he addressed. And he wasn't a party line cheerleader. Whether it be about CB Macdonald, British rule, or even the battles, he articulately covered strengths and weaknesses of his subjects. For example, in the first few years of the 20th century he presciently wrote about the sense of superiority that the British felt over their subjects, and the insurmountable barrier this created:
This imperial aloofness constitutes the weakness as well as the strength of British rule in India. It enables them to govern admirably, though somewhat coldly; But it condemns them to remain perpetual strangers in the land -- in it but not of it. The British are feared and respected, but they are not loved.
"I wish sometimes," said a Hindu, wistfully, 'that you would govern us a little less justly and would call us brothers now and then." Here is another article, from May 19, 1906, not by Whigham but about Whigham's travels playing golf. It seems that Mr. Whigham was a bit like our own Mr. Huntley when it comes to life experience with golf.
I'd hate to track down the shipping manifests on that guy. I wonder if the "Mr. Macbeth of Liverpool" who beat Whigham in India was Norman Macbeth, the eventual designer some nice courses in Los Angeles?
Anyway, Whigham had a long career as a professor, war reporter, theater and art critic, successful editor, and an expert on foreign policy. He was a war correspondent for the Chicago Tribune in the Spanish American War until he was as was imprisoned and then expelled. (This, by the way, was after he had won consecutive US Amateur Golf Championships.) He covered the Boer war, and wrote extensively on India, Russia, the Far East, South Africa and Latin America. He wrote on domestic issues and comparative politics, such as a comparison of "New Deal" programs in the United States and Great Britain, art, architecture, and literature. He advised Presidents and Prime Ministers.
As for golf design, he was obviously right there with Macdonald, and I am told the may have played a larger role in courses like Piping Rock than has previously been suggested, but insisted that he not get any credit because as he was a member he felt that taking credit would be inappropriate.
This history is why it infuriates me when I even think about how this man has been caricatured, attacked, mocked, and maligned over the years on this website. And all for the sleazy purpose of undermining his credibility, so that no one will believe him when he states with great knowledge and authority that CB Macdonald designed Merion. What kind of a person would try to tear down a man like Whigham for the sole purpose of propping up the reputation of someone else. No doubt Hugh Wilson would have never stooped so low, so why do Mike, TEPaul, and others?
I mean come on, right here in this thread we have Mike Cirba still calling him a liar and blatantly misrepresenting Whigham's writing to try and justify the spurious insult. At least he has dropped the adjective "f**king" but the point is the same.
As bad or worse, we have TEPaul claiming that he would have shouted down HJ Whigham at CB Macdonald's funeral? Given my experience with TEPaul, I wouldn't put it past him, especially after a drink or two. But he claims ALL OF YOU would have joined him? I doubt it.
Who the hell is TEPaul to to even contemplate down H. J. Whigham about anything whatsoever? Who the hell is Mike Cirba to call him a "f**king liar?" And both without any real factual basis for doubting him. They are a couple of narrow minded partisans who will do and say anything to protect their legend, even if it means trashing the reputations a great man like H.J. Whigham or anyone else, dead or alive, who stands in their way.
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Joe Bausch,
Thanks again for posting this article, and for helping demonstrate what disingenuous creeps your friends have become over this Merion issue. By far you have been one of my greatest allies in all of this mess. Keep up the good work!
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Bob C - you mentioned the difference between Whigham's earler writings and his later ones. I assume the differences reflect changing ideas in the golf world as a WHOLE. I also assume that these changes were "over-determined" -- i.e. while they could have come about through even ONE bit of influential writing or example of golf course architecture, there were SEVERAL bits of writings and examples of gca coming together all at once in a fin de siecle kind of way. What do you think?
Peter,
I disagree. With most fundamental change, there are a few leaders and the vast majority is trailing far behind. Whigham's was one of the leaders when he wrote his first article, and was still one if the leaders with this one. Like it or not, when it came to golf course architecture, he and CBM were the two major early catalysts for change. Sure there were others, such as Travis, and some like AWT who may have already been on the right track but who were not yet as influential. But on this side of the ocean I don' think anyone's reach influence extended as far as CBM's and Whigham's, this was especially so because of NGLA.