The land for the East Course was found in 1910 and as a first step, Mr. Wilson was sent abroad to study the more famous links in Scotland and England.
On his return the plan was gradually evolved[/color] and while largely helped by many excellent suggestions and much good advice from other members of the Committee, they have each told me that he is the person in the main responsible for the architecture both of this and of the West course.
Work was started in 1911 and the East Course was open for play on September 14th, 1912.
The course at once proved so popular and membership and play increased so rapidly that it was decided to secure more land and build the West Course whch was done the following year."
Andy and JES II,
Travel across the Atlantic usually took 7 days or so, depending upon a few variables.
Alan Wilson's writings seem to clarify the timeline.
Why would he state that the land was purchsed in 1910 and that HIW was sent abroad as the FIRST step in the design process ? Especially if he didn't go until two years later, when the golf course was already routed, designed and constructed ?
It doesn't make any sense.
Do we know that the HIW listed in the Manifest of the SS Philadelphia is THE HIW ?
If so, why couldn't he have sailed overseas on a prior trip ?
In 1910 ? 1911 ?
The problem with David's theory, is that he's using the flawed logic that Tom MacWood often used. That is, drawing a conclusion and stating that if you couldn't disprove the conclusion that it must be true.
Alan Wilson stated that the FIRST step in the creation of Merion, subsequent to the purchase fo the land, was for HIW to sail overseas.
He further states, that when HIW returned from overseas, the plan was further evolved.
He then states that construction began in 1911 with completion in 1912.
Why does a name, in a ship's manifest in May, 1912, departing from Cherbourg, France carry more weight than Alan Wilson's writings ?
One is a single snapshot, but one frame, while the other is a chronological summary of the project.
Was HIW in the witness protection program for two years ?
And why is it that a trip to France in 1912 would preclude a trip to the UK prior to that ?
David Moriarty,
I've asked you three times. Why did you state that HIW would only travel on vessels of the American Lines ?
How do you know that ?[/color]