Mike Cirba,
How about it Mike, your theory that the 14th green, 15th tee and 15th fairway were part of the Francis land swap was solely based on information that you no longer find reliable, right? So we can discard that theory can't we?
Surely you can answer this simple question. I really don't want to have to go through all this again down the road, so let's put it to rest. How about it?
David,
Absolutely. The question has already been asked and answered.
In your essay, you portrayed the 1910 Land Plan as a depiction of the separation between the real estate and golf components which were 221 and 117 acres, respectively.
I had no reason to doubt you, and when we determined the land along the approximate road was only 95 or so yards wide at the base of the triangle, I made what would be an otherwise logical assumption, as did everyone else including Bryan who spent a lot of time meticulously trying to fit the present golf course into that land area of the map.
I really wish you had told us all along that the map was erroneous. It would have saved us a great deal of time and energy.
You stated the road was "approximate", but you never previously stated that you knew all along that it measured differently than 117 acres, as it was portrayed until I asked you that specific question today.
At this point, because the only evidence produced to date has turned out to be fatally flawed to draw any reasonable conclusion from, I have absolutely nothing to honestly base any understanding of the Francis Land Swap from except the timing of the transactions, and Francis's words.
I'm hoping that the land measurements clear up the matter.
p.s.
While we're asking and answering very simple, direct questions, can you tell us what holes on the original course at Merion were based wholly or in part on famous holes overseas?
So far I have the 3rd (redan), 10th, (Alps), and the 15th green portion of the hole (Eden).
We talked about the 6th as a Road Hole, and even though not one other soul in the past 100 years ever mentioned it, let's throw it in there.
Any others?
p.p.s.
Could you cite the source of the early 1912 article that cliaimed most every hole at Merion was based on some great hole overseas?
Sometimes finding the author of these stories proves valuable in validation.
Most of the Philly writers, even the ones who used pen names, were identifiable by how much they were on the inside or not.
So please, let's agree to honestly divulge simple stuff like that, ok?