I have to add that given the foresight and civic-devotion of the leaders of the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) back in the early days, I heard more than a few people at the GCA outing the other evening bemoan the seeming lack of interest from GAP at preserving/restoring what might arguably be its greatest treasure and legacy, especially as the eyes of the golf world will be on Philadelphia over the next four years.
Given the paucity of courses designed by Hugh Wilson and George Crump in their too-brief lives, one has to wonder why there isn't more interest in honoring their gift to the game of golf and architectural work within their own hometown...
One almost feels compelled to fairly ask, "What would Robert Lesley do?"
I've been asked to explain more what I mean regarding the proper role of the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP) in the affairs of a municipal course owned by the city, and would certainly like to hear from others on the matter.
Cobb's Creek may be a unique situation in this regard, I'm not sure.
The historical reality is that Cobb's Creek is the direct progeny of GAP and would never have been built without GAP.
Through dogged, unyielding determination and wonderful foresight, GAP President Robert Lesley (Merion) and other leaders of the organization (a committee of prominent club presidents from Philmont, Philadelphia Country Club, Whitemarsh Valley, and Huntingdon Valley), pressed the city of Philadelphia relentlessly for years in person, and through the press for the formation of a golf course "for the people".
Even as early as 1900 GAP put together a committee of prominent club men who had prior experience in golf course design/construction at their own clubs (Merion, Philadelphia Cricket, & Philadelphia Country Club) to work with the city to determine an appropriate site and layout for a public course.
Such vision and such practical egalitarianism was meant to help grow the game in this country, and in Philadelphia in particular, as well as to help Philadelphia become a competitive sporting mecca. As the article that started this thread makes clear, these guys all did this voluntarily "for the love of the game".
What is also interesting and possibly a bit unique is that the Golf Association of Philadelphia is one of the only USGA sections that actually uses the name of a city to identify itself. However, one has to fairly wonder exactly what linkage exists today between GAP and the actual city of Philadelphia? Instead, the history of the organization has been one dealing mostly with suburban private clubs and it has been only in recent years that a course/club which afforded public play of any sort could become a member of GAP.
So, there has been some recent and much-needed progress in this regard. However, given demographics considerations, it seems to me that the only place that golf will be able to really grow in the future is through enhanced facilities near and within our largest metropolitan centers, and needs to appeal and be embraced by ethnic groups who have historically had limited access, interest, or financial wherewithal.
It's sort of ironic in researching the history of golf in Philadelphia; at the time Cobb's Creek was built those ethnic groups were the Irish and Italian immigrant laborers who went on to win US Publinks tournaments like Joe Coble, or move out to the burbs and become the members of Llanerch and Edgmont.
Such outreach seems to me to be even more vitally imporant at this critical juncture for the game. Within Philadelphia, with important tournaments in our immediate future, and a rich golf and architectural history that should be preserved and enhanced, I can't help but believe that the time for talking is over and the time for action is nigh....
So, I'm not sure today what Robert Lesley would do, but I have to think he'd be doing something. So would the important clubs and memberships within GAP, if their incredible visionary histories are any indication.
I'll get off my soapbox now, but I would love to hear from others in terms of what they think can and should be done, especially those with examples of how regional golf organizations worked in partnership with civic and governmental leaders to achieve positive results for the game.