David,
Why on earth would you take on the task of suggesting HJ Wigham was closer to the action at Merion than Alan Wilson was? I know what your primary premise is, but without the mother lode of correspondance the "Drexel Letters" may have been it's pointless.
Seriously? Among other reasons . . .
1. Because Whigham was an EYEWITNESS of what went on at Merion and also a participant.
2. Because Whigham was extraordinarily knowledgeable about the process of creating golf courses.
3. Because Whigham was a trained and well respected reporter, writer, and editor.
4. Because given CBM's extraordinary accomplishments and course list, he had little reason to falsely exaggerate CBM's accomplishments.
5. Because HJW's comments about Pine Valley suggest that he was not one to credit CBM with a course were only some of CBM's advice was followed.
6. Because Alan Wilson was NOT AN EYE WITNESS.
7. Because I have never seen any source material even suggesting Alan Wilson was there or had anything to do with the early creation of Merion East. No one even mentions him!
8. Because even Alan Wilson - in his own letter - makes it clear that he is relying on second hand information!
9. Because Alan Wilson was not just addressing the initial creation of Merion East but was talking about BOTH COURSES over time, after things had "evolved."
10.Because the errors in Alan Wilson's letter cast doubt on the accuracy of his account regarding this very early period.
11.Because Alan Wilson was attempting to secure a place for his recently deceased younger brother in Merion's history.
As if that weren't enough (it is more than enough)
I DON'T THINK THAT THE ALAN WILSON LETTER MEANS WHAT THESE GUYS CLAIM IT MEANS! 1. The letter described CBM's and HJW's contribution and then excepts them from further consideration! With my bold:
"Except for this, the entire responsibility for the design and construction of the two courses rests upon the special Construction Committee . . . " -
The Committee is responsible for everything that CBM and HJW didn't do!2. The letter then divides the division of labor amongst the Committee. Again with my bold:
"On his return [from overseas] the plan was gradually evolved and while largely helped by many excellent suggestions and much good advice from the other members of the Committee, they have each told me that he is the person in the main responsible for the architecture of this and the West Course."- The entire committee contributed, but
of the committee Hugh Wilson was the person in the main.
- Note that Alan Wilson didn't even seem to know when this is happening! He thinks it was after the trip when we know the course was built before the trip! Yet you think he is a more reliable source than the person right there than one of the foremost experts on golf courses and the person right there at Merion with CBM advising them!
Far from excluding CBM/HJW, Alan Wilson's letter confirms that they involved. Their contribution to the layout plan was "of the greatest help and value." The contributors were CBM/HJW on the one hand, and the Committee on the other hand. But of the Committee, Hugh Wilson was the person in the main responsible.
In any reasonable conversation, such a statement by a man of the stature of H.J. Whigham in golf and journalism would close the issue unless the facts were overwhelmingly to the contrary. But there is nothing reasonable about this conversation. This was H.J. Whigham for goodness sakes. His family was golfing royalty in Scotland, and he was one of the pioneers of golf here. He had been building courses in the United States since the mid-1890's and had been working with CBM on CBM's courses since since the late 1890's. He not only knew CBM well and was his son-in-law, he was working with CBM on his designs and had been for years, and was eve a co-author of the article where CBM/HJW discuss Merion's Redan!
And, above all else, HE WAS THERE. HE WAS AN EYEWITNESS WITH A STRONG BASIS FOR UNDERSTANDING WHAT WAS ONGOING. HE WAS AT MERION WITH CBM BOTH IN THE SUMMER AND IN THE SPRING. HE TOO WAS ADVISING MERION!
These attempts to minimize him and his word are just a continuation of the nasty crap Mike, TEPaul, and Wayne have been writing about this guy for years.