David,
When ANGC opened, it had an inordinate number of NY/NYC members.
GCGC and NGLA were prominent clubs prior to PV's opening.
The question is, did the green jacket start at GCGC and/or with the Travis, or PV, or ANGC.
I would think that the minutes of these clubs might have the answer as to the date of origin.
Ally,
In those days, I would imagine that jackets were the normal attire for all in the clubhouse and that the red jackets provided the element of distinction.
The question is, in the U.S. where and when did the tradition first appear ?
Pete,
Jones had played at GCGC prior to 1937.
How often, I'm not sure, but, it would appear that the ANGC tradition was imported, not invented.