Mike
I made a simple statement and am surprised with your response # 97 &102.
Clearly, anyone making an observation that is not “Inline with Party Views” on Merion may be targeted.
I am sorry that many of the following posts have disappeared, but that does not change the fact of how Old Tom surveyed his courses. Nor can it take away the fact that CBM in his early days would have been familiar with the Morris ways in 1872-4. Let us not forget first impressions can be lasting and this was the time of “The Morris Supremacy”. Young Tom just winning The Open for the fourth consecutive time keeping the Championship Belt. No Open in 1871 because Young Tom had won the Belt outright and a new trophy, The Claret Jug did not appear until after The Open of 1872, also Old Tom at TOC being The Custodian of The Green for The R&A , who were becoming the sole power in the land re golf. Those days of history would last in most people’s minds. However, I have not said he routed Merion, but that he would have been aware of how Old Tom undertook his work.
If CBM was not involved with golf until the mid 1890’s would he not have remembered his early days, after all they were great days of golfing history which he had a direct connection with – well who knows, but he was in contact with Old Tom asking for names for green keeper/professionals/club makers to come to America. Perhaps that might also have reminded him of his early days, but who knows. As for MO, well I would not put my name on any document or sketch unless I had previously checked it out myself. Nevertheless, we are now talking about Professionalism and belief in ones name – but of course this will certainly vary with each individual own approach to the importance of their word and name.
I just made a comment, but will now happily retreat from the Merion (The Never Ending) Story, no, sorry debate.
Melvyn