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Michael Moore

  • Karma: +0/-0
"National Links" - is this a correct usage?
« on: November 12, 2004, 04:13:25 PM »
In the new Tom Wolfe blockbuster I Am Charlotte Simmons, which I am thoroughly enjoying, the following clause appears -

" . . . with memberships at both the Shinnecock and National Links golf clubs . . . "

Now, as a a hyperrealistic satirist, Wolfe walks a fine line, and he prides himself on getting each nuance just so. But, as has been pointed out in several caustic eviscerations of this novel, there are a number of clunkers where the reader says to himself "that would never ever happen".

Is this one of them? Do people call it the "National Links"?
Metaphor is social and shares the table with the objects it intertwines and the attitudes it reconciles. Opinion, like the Michelin inspector, dines alone. - Adam Gopnik, The Table Comes First

Patrick_Mucci

Re:"National Links" - is this a correct usage?
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2004, 04:17:50 PM »
Michael Moore,

The most common references I've heard are:

"National"

"The National"

I've never heard it refered to as "National Links"

 

Tommy_Naccarato

Re:"National Links" - is this a correct usage?
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2004, 10:46:48 PM »
If you actually research a lot of this stuff, you'll find that National Links is used in a lot of publications of old. Its slang.

Geoff Shackelford used it for the description cover shot of his Future of Golf in America, and frankly, I think its got that nice classy tone to it. Back then there was only one National--unmistaking, rock solid, undispuatable. The greatest course ever built in America, and even still today.

TEPaul

Re:"National Links" - is this a correct usage?
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2004, 07:44:02 PM »
Pat's right---in my experience going back about 45 years those who belonged to and played NGLA always referred to it as "National" but not that often as "The National". Years ago some did refer to it in writing as "National Links" probably because decades ago the word 'links" was used more to describe some golf courses than it is today. As for just calling it "National" or "The National" people logically did that more back then than today because back then it was about the only course with "national" in it's name. Today, it seems like every other time Fazio or one of his clients opens a course it's "National" this and "National" that!

SPDB

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:"National Links" - is this a correct usage?
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2004, 05:58:16 PM »
Just to add another wrinkle to the proper nomenclature.


Tyler Kearns

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:"National Links" - is this a correct usage?
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2004, 06:08:09 PM »
“When the National Links is opened next year it will be far and away the best in the United States. It will be long, it will be of varied interest, its turf will be good, and its bunkering severe but fair. It has no weak point”.        
                                                 -   Horace Hutchinson

ForkaB

Re:"National Links" - is this a correct usage?
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2004, 06:16:06 PM »
Sean

Was Norman Bates the club manager when that postcard was made?

TEPaul

Re:"National Links" - is this a correct usage?
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2004, 06:41:15 PM »
"We Determined to call the course the "National Golf Course of America"".
Scotland's Gift GOLF
C.B. Macdonald

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