Mr. Homsey,
Thanks for your time and efforts in putting together your list. Travis is certainly worthy of the attention for many reasons. But who knew we have all been wasting our time trying to dig up contemporaneous articles and information on this stuff when we could just call the local Chamber of Commerce for "proof positive" of events that happened almost a century ago? Oh well, we learn something new every day.
I too am interested and curious about what happened at Ekwanok. I haven't called the Chamber of Commerce so my research may be remiss, but I was under the impression that the early reports all pointed to Dunn as having originally laid out the course, with Herbert Cassard (the chairman of the Construction Committee) having supervised and directed the construction.
So your mention of a Board of Governor's action from January 1, 1900 is interesting and surprising. It doesn't surprise me in the least bit that they would have made him an honorary member-- Travis was quite a popular figure in golf and was a very good person to have around if one was interested in attracting players and guests to the nearby hotel. Indeed, I vaguely recall reading a few articles indicating that some in golf frowned upon Travis' relationships with hotels and even equipment manufacturers, and that there was some question or issue about whether they were trading on his fame for financial gain, and I've always wondered about the nature of his close relationship with Ekwanok.
What does surprise me the apparent mention that he designed the course. Can you clarify how you know that the Bd. of Governors "awarded 'Travis a lifetime Honorary membership in recognition of his work in designing and supervising the construction of the golf course.'" I first thought you were quoting the Bd. of Governor's from club minutes or something, but looking again I am wondering whether you are actually quoting the Mr. Stokes, Ekwanok's Historian. If so, then where did Mr. Stoke's get his information? Could it be that Mr. Stokes was speculating about the reasons for the honorary club membership? Another thing that surprises me is the date. I was under the impression that the club had just been formed that fall and wasn't even open for play. I know Travis, CBM, George Low, and W. D. Davis (quite a foursome) played in a tournament the next August, and that this event already been arranged early in 1900, so perhaps the honor was bestowed in relation to the upcoming tournament?
As for letter written in 1904, it is much less surprising. By 1904 Travis seems to have had a close relationship with Ekwanok and he appears to have been in residence there often, playing in high profile matches and tournaments, and he seems to have become closely associated with the course by around then and was at the peak of his fame. The course had reportedly gone through the changes and improvements over the years since it opened, and Travis was sometimes mentioned as having advised or recommended the changes, it certainly didn't hurt Ekwanok's reputation to closely associate themselves with Travis, who had gone from becoming famous to being heroic with his victory overseas.
Here are the first four paragraphs from a lengthy profile of the course called "Golf at Ekwanok" which appeared in the August 1905:
This summer marks the fifth season of play on the links of the Ekwanok Country Club at Manchester-in-the-Mountains, Vermont. During this time many of the best golfers in America and England have played over the course, besides the numerous mediocre devotees who have there learned and improved their games.
After five years of steady development the course is in its prime. In fact, many crack players have emphatically said that it ranks second to none in the United States. The putting greens this season are in absolutely perfect condition, not a single blade of grass being winter-killed during the cold months. The turf through the fair green still retains the springy quality for which it is famous, even after weeks of hot, dry weather.
The policy of the club in making changes in the course has been to go slowly and to make sure that each new distance and bunker is to be permanent. Already this summer three bunkers have been put in and others are to be added. All of them are of the sand pot type. One has been placed on each side of the green of the short sixth hole. Hitherto a pull or a slice could easily be played for a three. Now the tee shot has to be played for the width of the green. The other bunker has been placed just to the left of the seventh green in such a position as to catch a pulled approach. All of these bunkers have proved effective.
The distances have been altered materially since the course was first laid out by John D. Dunn. Many changes were made at the suggestion of Walter J. Travis, with whom Ekwanok is a great favorite. He remarked of the course: "It is fine; one of the best in the country." The numbering of the holes has been changed, so that the former third is now the first. This brings eight holes within sight of the clubhouse.
The article then goes into a detailed discussion of many aspects of the club, past and present Committee Chairs, notable golfers and tournaments, the greenskeeper (Tom Morris, nephew of Old Tom,) the Professional (John Ball,) etc. The author, Clark D. Simonds was either very well acquainted with the club or his source was. I mention this because it seems to be a reliable account, and while it mentions that Travis advised as to changes later, it leaves little doubt that John Duncan Dunn originally laid out the course. As you are probably aware, this is consistent with other early accounts of the formation and creation of the course.
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You mention that Travis consulted "with Max Behr" at the Pasadena Golf Club in 1924. Can you tell us a little about this? I recall coming across documentation indicating that Travis (with JD Dunn, I think) went after the job of building the public course in Brookside Park (now called Brookside) around that time, but that project eventually went to William P. Bell. Brookside was briefly called Pasadena Muni something, so I am wondering if this is to project to which you refer?
Again, thanks for your efforts and the efforts of your society.