A look at the Timeline for Rosapenna
One or two have raised questions and made some interesting statements (courses everywhere else take on average 3 months to build by pupils of OTM), yet in GB&I they only take 1 or 2 week if by Old Tom. So let’s look at the timeline
The initial invitation to Old Tom Morris was not issued until October 1891, The 4th Earl of Leitrim died in April 1892 causing all his plans including the hotel and golf course to be put on hold. After the Funeral, the new 5th Earl of Leitrim was legally a minor so the Trustees of the Estate with Lady Leitrim reviewed the projects. It was agreed to continue with the development of the Hotel and course as all the initial works was close to completion. The Course was formally opened on the 15th August 1893.
I see no problem with the projected Timeline, it is similar to The New Course, faster than Cruden Bay, on line with Castletown IOM (another resort project).
Reports of Brown’s visit that I have seen seem to relate to him travelling north from Royal Dublin to tweak the course, which appear to refer mainly to the last half dozen holes.
More information may surface, yet so have some report that Old Tom walked Rosapenna Links many times then revered his approach to locate the Greens. Some say the number was 15 natural green sites with just three requiring serious construct. Yet it is certain he was taken to the site of the hotel and did walk the Links, apparently on quite a few occasions before leaving Donegal. Remember that this was the age of the pony and trap in the countryside. Yes, the train only took the strain between towns and cities, but the journey would have been interesting for a man in his seventies. Therefore, whatever time was required, he would have been spent at the location to study the land for both course. Unlike today, it would not have been a flying visit, in and out in a day or two. Therefore, time was certainly on Old Tom’s side.
The interesting point to all this is that we all know Old Tom did not construct the course or supervise its construction, so someone did who clearly knew golf courses. Could Brown have travelled up earlier than reported, as yet no source has come to light only the Golf Illustrated article from 1910, some 17 years after the event may just be referring to the construction. On the Merion thread, if I am not mistaken much was made out of the words to define design with construction.
A few years later at Lahinch Old Tom went around the course with Shaw and McKenna advising modifications to the course (no major but still modifications no less which McKenna supervised the construction work). Interesting point to note is that a report apparently from the Limerick Chronicle states the James McKenna was only employed at Lahinch for the Summer of 1894 at 18 shillings a week plus 2 shillings a round for instruction. At the end of the summers, he went back to Limerick and returned to Lahinch for the summer of 1895. Yet again, a different report years later claims McKenna undertook the design at Lahinch in 1894, however, Golf & the Club state clearly the mods were down to Old Tom. Funny how reports vary over the years.
Melvyn
PS Tom you pass on very little, your share just about 0, your tone if you do not agree is appalling. The whole point of research is to find the truth. You have a problem with OTM, get over it. I have no need to prove anything to you, time and again, you make statements Not Old Tom and you have been proven wrong, get a life and move on. For my part if Old Tom did not get design or modify a course, no big deal, I move on checking others and trying to put the record straight. However, no more sharing anything with you. This is my last open post on passing on historical golfing information - you just are not worthy.