Middle Atlantic Chapter of Region 2 Meeting

Twenty five members and guests assembled on February 4, 2006 to buy/sell and show elegant, odd and unusual golf memorabilia at the newly remodeled and redesigned Belle Haven Country Club at Alexandria, Virginia.  Brief business remarks were made by Region 2 Director, Bob Gettis, and the chapter’s guru, John Whittemore. The theme for the get-together was the commercial introduction of the golf riding cart.  History is only about two steps behind us.

Speaker Ralph Elder showed early advertising brochures from his collection, and noted that a surprising amount of information is available on the internet about the golf cart business, which started in the early 1950’s.  Golfers soon learned that it was difficult to separate the good from the bad of the many types now available to use since the early three-wheeled jobs showed up in the hands of individual golfers.  It wasn’t long before the various courses and clubs banned privately owned carts, leased carts themselves, and required golfers to pay if they wanted to ride (and sometimes to ride if they wanted to play).

Bob Mortensen, golf course architect, gave a thorough assessment of the impact of riding carts on architecture. He noted that architects are limited to 20-degree slopes on terrain, and he explained alternatives in the material and cost of various types of paths. Golfers drive carts like they drive their cars.  They instinctively want to pull off the path when they stop the cart, so curbs are needed at tees and greens to prevent golfers from driving off the paths.

Lee Dieter, a retired “greenkeeper,” (sometimes known as a superintendent), talked about his experience constructing cart paths (and dealing with members) at his former workplace, Washington Golf & Country Club.  His course may have been the first in the east to construct a solid, continuous path around the entire course.  He noted with satisfaction, though, that after the paths were finished he never closed the course again because of wet conditions.  Lee emphasized that carts do a lot of damage.  Don’t be misled by the few times you see maintenance equipment rolling around the course.  They know a bit more about care and maintenance than about 90 percent of us Sunday golfers.

South Florida Show held at PGA Village

Region 3 Golf Collectors gathered at a the show and sale held at the PGA Golf Club at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida on Saturday, February 4, 2006.  The event was organized by Bob and Marilyn Stevens of Vero Beach with the help of Jim and Judy Dryer, who reside at the PGA Village.

Fifteen dealers from Florida and as far away as Chicago displayed a variety of golf collectibles and antiques on twenty tables.  In spite of a driving rain storm, attendance was fairly good and enthusiasm was high.

This year, the event was held at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.  PGA Golf Club Head Professional Steve Wyder and Director of Golf Bud Taylor were most cooperative and helpful in assisting with the many details involved in the success of the show.  We appreciate their support very much.

The PGA Historical Golf Museum is located on the property and many attendees took the opportunity to see that at the same time.  It is located at the PGA Village just off exit #121 on Interstate 95 and is a “must see” for golf collectors.