Sir Michael Bonnalack
Bing Crosby
Dwight Eisenhower
Bob Hope
Mark McCormack
Clifford Roberts
Karsten Solheim
Dinah Shore
They have all been inducted into golf's Hall of Fame through the "Lifetime Achievement" category.
How about William Flynn, Stanley Thompson, Devereaux Emmet, George Thomas, Max Behr, AW Tillinghast, Harry Colt, Herbert Strong, "Billy" Bell and Perry Maxwell?
All are golf course architects from Golf's Golden Age WHO ARE NOT!
I'm sure that many on here can speak for others, but consider this for Tilly. Between 200-2010, there were FIFTEEN, yes 15, USGA or Major championships contested on golf courses that he designed. This does NOT include PGA playoff events such as we've seen at Ridgewood or other PGA tour events that his courses have hosted. Doesn't this fact alone prove he belongs?
Name one occasion where someone said "This year's championship is being held on a course designed by Dwight Eisenhower or Dinah Shore or Bob Hope..."
Herb Graffis is in the Hall of Fame for his lifetime achievement through his writings. Fair enough, but here again Tilly's writings from 1898-1940 are so voluminous to dwarf what Graffis wrote, and Tilly was THE reporter for many of the early major events in this country. In fact, contained within those thousands of original photographs and negatives given to the USGA lrecently by the Western Golf Association, a treasure trove beyond price according to many, are several hundred taken by one AW Tillinghast. Tilly's photos graced the pages of the American Golfer, GOLF and Golf Illustrated as well as other newspapers and magazines. Heck, Tilly should be given strong consideration for his photographs alone.
There is a seriously major flaw in golf's hall of fame when it is earth-shattering news that a golf course architect is inducted. By not having a separate architect's wing they belittle what should be a crowning achievement and lessen the accomplishments of all those who deserve and have been inducted.
It is time that all who recognize this as a true wrong do something about it. I strongly suggest that one and all on this site write to the Hall, write to those we know in the golf community, and let's not kid ourselves, as there are a number on site and who regularly look in here who are invovled in and with the decision-makers of the game.
If you feel strongly for one or more as I do about Tilly, then name the person and show why they should be in. If we see no reason for honoring and remembering these great ones of old then there certainly is no reason to discuss their works and especially argue passionately about them.
This year's inductees announced yesterday:
Ernie Els
Doug Ford
Jock Hutchison
Geogre H.W. Bush
It was also announced that a FIFTH new member would be announced in November. If only it is someone who envisioned a course upon which those players enshrined proved their greatness upon. That of course is probably fanciful thinking at its worst...
It's time to honor those without whom there really would be no game at all...