Herbert H. Barker

[Bob Calton]

I have recently finished writing a biography on Herbert H. Barker. I am a memberof Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville, Tennessee, and Barker was the original architect of our golf course which prompted me to do the research.  Our club had very little information on Barker and I found that other clubs had no more information than we did.  Barker laid out Belle Meade in the fall of 1914 and I believe that was the last course he designed before returning to England in 1915.

[John Mayhugh]

That sounds interesting.  How are you intending to publish/distribute your work?  I'm sure many of us here would be interested in seeing it.

[JESII]

Bob,

Did you happen to follow any portion of the numerous Merion threads on here? Or read David Moriarty or Mike Cirba's Merion IMO's? I'd be curious if your research can fill in any of the blanks around just what HHB contributed to the initial routing there.

[Bob Calton]

John,
I do not have a plan and am open to suggestions. I have a number of people that were able to contribute to the story and I will send them a copy. The biography will be more of a "booklet" than a "book". I will mail copies to anyone that has an interest in H.H. Barker and would probably charge around $5 or so.
Bob

[BCrosby]

Bob -

I have IM'ed you. Give me a call.

Bob

[Niall C]

Bob

Great to hear you have managed to get your book written. Interesting bloke Barker. Someone who managed to make an impact on both sides of the water but yet seems little known. Hopefully your book will change that.

Niall

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Count me in as a purchaser when it comes out.

[john_stiles]

Bob,

Congratulations on completing the book.

Count me in for a copy as well.

I have sent an IM.

John 

[Nigel Islam]

Cool post. This Barker guy sounds interesting. So he did the routing in 1914 and then Ross came in the 20s and re-did the course? I always been kind of interested in Belle Meade as I often find myself passing through the Nashville area, but I really know very little about it. Seems like it would be the most interesting place in Nashville to me.

[Bob Calton]

Jim,
Yes, I read the Merion threads several times and with much interest. My Barker research did not turn up any new information on this subject and I did not mention Merion in the biography.

[George_Bahto]

Bob.  Ck my IM to you, please

George

[Jim Sherma]

What courses did Barker get credit for? I have played Raritan Valley many moons ago and remember liking it without being wowed. Are any of his works thought highly of?

[DMoriarty]

Mr. Calton,

Any chance you will share some of what you found with us here?

[Ed Homsey]

Bob--I am excited to hear that you have completed your tome on H.H. Barker, and I know that Tom Macwood would have welcomed your efforts.   I have my $5 ready to send for a copy (if that's the price).  I'm not sure I have your address.

At the Travis Society's recent Executive Committee meeting, I reported on the conversation you and I had a while ago.  Mentioned Barker's design of Columbia CC and Youngstown CC, and your observations regarding the probably Travis influence in the hiring of Barker for golf professional at Garden City Golf Club. 

Ed Homsey
www.travissociety.com

[Stephen Northrup]

I'm a member at Columbia CC in Chevy Chase, MD.  I'd be willing to plunk down $5 (or even more) for a book/booklet on Barker.  Put me down for two and I'll give the other to our club's GM.

[Bob Calton]

Mr. Moriarity:
I would not know what part of the Barker story to share.  If you have a specific question, I will try to answer it.
Bob Calton

[DMoriarty]

Any or all would be great.

I've done a bit of research on Barker myself, but I wouldn't know what to ask without knowing more about what you have done.  I'd be glad to share what little I know if it helps you fill in any blanks, but not having seen what you've done thus far it is impossible to know what may be of help.   

Any ideas on what happened to him when he returned home?

[Sven Nilsen]

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,54025.25.html

Page 2 of the thread linked to above has some basic information on Barker, including a link to the a write up on his work from the Raritan Valley website.

[Marc Huther]

Bob,

I live in Nashville, TN and have a lot of interest in belle Meade cc. I have played and really enjoyed Ross golf courses Pinehurst #2, Holston Hills, Ross Course French Lick.  Have you played other Ross courses that you could compare how belle Meade stacks up? Also from your research on Barker can you tell who has more influence over the course design Ross or Barker? Interested in your reply
Thanks

Marc

[Niall C]

I recently received Bob's book on Barker through the post and sat down and read it in one sitting. It's not a long book, at about 30 odd pages long its probably more a booklet but it's got some terrific info on Barker that I didn't know, not that I knew a lot in the first place. It's not one for those looking to add another coffee book to the collection but if you have an interest in golf course architecture then its well worth the investment IMO.

Niall

[Sven Nilsen]

An update on Barker, which might shed some light on the thought that he passed away from the wounds he suffered during the War.  It also opens the door to the possibility that some of his design work in the US may have been later than we previously thought.

Fairmont West Virginian - March 20, 1916

[Mark_Fine]

Bob,
Congrats on finishing your biography on Barker.  I enjoyed exchanging information with you during the process (would have liked to have had some of your findings when I was working on that Master Plan for a Barker course in NJ).  Anxious to get a copy when it is out for distribution.
Best,
Mark

[BCrosby]

Sven -


Great find. So Barker returned to the States during WWI to scout for timber for airplanes?


Bob

[Anthony Gholz]

Sven:


I second the "Great fine" comment.


Bob: I have developed a list of Colt & Alison and would like to exchange info regarding Indian Hill.


Please e-mail me at agholz@aol.com.


Thanks.
Anthony