JB McGovern

[wsmorrison]

I was reading about the construction of Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown, PA, home of the Sunnehanna Amateur, in John Yerger's history book.  I did not realize that Tillinghast and the club parted ways before the course was complete.  Who came in to finish the construction of the course according to the AWT plans?  Why no other than J.B. McGovern.

Less than three years later, the club decided that the use of an inexperienced work crew and the new construction team were responsible for the slow maturation of the course.  The fairways struggled to grow turf as it was determined that poor soil was used (too much shale) which prevented mosture retention.  As a result, Emile Loeffler, head superintendent and later golf professional (until 1946) at Oakmont Country Club was hired around 1925 to fix the problems left by the McGovern crew after Tillinghast and Honeyman were fired.

[TEPaul]

Wayne:

When she was a little girl J.B. McGovern's daughter thought her father was in the pickle business.

Maybe she was right.

[wsmorrison]

He certainly did leave Sunnehanna in a pickle.  I'm working on what Flynn changes were implemented at Sunnehanna.  Apparently only six holes were completed as the club decided to dedicate more money to the clubhouse rather than the course.  Some things never change.  In any case...this is proof that some significant things were happening on golf courses during the height of the Depression.  In a steel town no less.

[wsmorrison]

Wow,

Looking at your last post I see you're at 19,099 and counting.  Maybe we should have a pool to see what day and time you hit 20,000.

[wsmorrison]

The breast-reduction surgery on the Mae Wests you put in will set that green right.  How those Golden Agers could not see to put the green closer to the quarry as youse guys did, I'll never know. Hurumph!

[Brad Klein]

Pat,

you're assumption (in response #150) is noble but misguided. Ross wasn't an artiste. He was a businessman.

[T_MacWood]

Wayne
Are sure that it wasn't AH McGovern the engineer from NY who built a number of Tilly's courses?

Why did Tillinghast and the club part ways?

[wsmorrison]

The club history mentions J.H. McGovern, I read it wrong.  I'll have to ask the author if it was A.H. McGovern or J.B. McGovern.  Was A.H. an employee of Tillinghast or a subcontractor?  If Tillinghast in fact left under acrimonious terms, perhaps they would refuse to work with a close associate.  If he was not closely associated with Tillinghast perhaps it was him.  Interesting question you bring up.

Why did Tillinghast part ways?  Perhaps John Yerger or Phil Young could tell us more about this.  Why didn't Tillinghast redesign Philadelphia Cricket Club in 1927, just four years after opening?  Did he have problems with the club or was he simply too busy to do the job?  I don't know but it sure would be interesting to find out.  Are there other instances where Tillinghast's temperment or foibles come into play?  I'm no expert, luckily there are some contributors on here that are.  I hope we hear from them.

[T_MacWood]

My mistake it was JH McGovern, engineer of NY. You'll find his name on Tilly's routings for both Sunnehanna and Winged Foot.

Are you certain Tillinghast had a falling out with Sunnehanna?

[wsmorrison]

Yep, I see it on the Sunnehanna drawing.  Interesting.  Was he related to J.B.?  

I am not certain about the falling out.  As I said previously, I read about it in the Sunnehanna history book.  I'll talk to John next week and see what he knows.