August 17, 2009

Oldest Golf Course in U.S. Up for Sale: Oakhurst Links in White Sulphur Springs, W.V., the first golf course in the United States, has been put up for sale at a price of $4.5 million. Owner Lewis Keller, 86, bought it in 1959 and restored it to play in 1994. Players on the nine-hole course must use replica hickory clubs, gutta-percha balls, and tees formed from mounds of wet sand. One caution: If your ball hits a sheep you are assessed a one-stroke penalty.

posted by rcade to golf at 01:09 PM - 4 comments

If your ball hits a sheep you are assessed a one-stroke penalty.

I thought that was a 1 stroke deduction, 2 for a rabbit.

posted by bender at 01:26 PM on August 17, 2009

Speaking of hickory clubs, a friend of mine was playing in a golf day last week, or maybe the week before, near Edinburgh (Archerfield, just next door to Muirfield), and he ended up playing with Roger Clemmens. They got to the 8th, which was playing at 140 yards. On the tee were some hickory clubs and old balls. In addition to your normal ball, you had to have a go with the old gear and there was a prize for closest to the pin. Clemmens had a go and missed the green, but set up a new challenge to the groups behind by throwing a (golf) ball onto the green. From the tee. With one throw. I'm still amazed by that. I threw a ball to a playing partner on the course yesterday - he'd hit it as a provisional but found his original ball - and it bounced before it reached him. He was less than 70 yards away. And I thought I had a pretty good arm.

Anyway, derail aside, cool links. Thanks for them. My bid's in the mail.

posted by JJ at 03:30 PM on August 17, 2009

If your ball breaks, as gutties sometimes do, you can play the largest piece until you hole out.

Golf as it should be.

posted by mjkredliner at 04:10 PM on August 17, 2009

I threw a ball to a playing partner on the course yesterday - he'd hit it as a provisional but found his original ball - and it bounced before it reached him. He was less than 70 yards away. And I thought I had a pretty good arm

JJ, you're fielding at short leg.

posted by owlhouse at 04:54 PM on August 17, 2009

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