Kevin,
If you look at the quality of AWT's body of work, it's outstanding.
Volume wise he wasn't as prolific as Ross, but the quality is outstanding.
A good business manager/administrator might have prevented him from making bad investments including investing in a Broadwy show,
partnering with the PGA and embarking upon the time consuming National tour for a few years.
In addition he might have been able to convince him not to become an antique dealer.
When you consider AWT's time lost due to bad decisions, there's no doubt in my mind that he would have continued to have produced high quality courses.
AWT essentially designs his last active course in 1929, then does Alpine in 1931, then Bethpage in 1935/36.
He dies in 1942.
So you have a 4 year gap (1931-1935) and then a 6 year gap (1936-1942)
10 years with no original designs.
So, I'll ask you, do you think he could have designed more high quality courses in those 10 years ?
From 1930 to 1942 Ross had about 17 courses, Bell 8, Brademas 7, MacKenzie 10, Flynn 5, Allison 14, Banks 6 (1930-1932), so it appears that there were ample contracts being awarded in those 10 years.
10 empty years that might have been filled with more great courses had AWT not been a ship without a rudder, a ship that a sharp business manager/administrator might have been able to steer to greater glory.
What do you think ?
Mark,
Yes