Mrs. Forman's Follow Up: Last Day To Be Heard

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The original concept of leveling golf's most important snack bar, 19th hole and gathering spot was shelved and a new application was quietly submitted.

Unfortunately, as Mungo Park notes, the deadline is February 25th for letters to oppose the new plans to change the infamous wall behind the 4th green, alter the historic building (arguably top 3 most vital in shaping the game), and impact the course by forcing safety measures to be taken.

Park, an architect and descendant of Musselburgh's first family of golf (and therefore, one of golf's first families), has outlined the issues with the latest application. Here are his thoughts followed by an email address to write to:

The second application has just been submitted as expected. This is a much more extensive development of the site; it involves part demolition of the garden wall, to lower its height and put railings on so that the residents can enjoy the view.

We oppose this application on four counts: -

1/ Inappropriate over-development of a historic site
Mrs Forman’s, its garden and Mrs Forman’s green present an iconic view at the east end of the course, which is significant in golf history. It has important tourism potential.

2/ Demolition of the east side of Mrs Forman’s, which is the oldest part of the building
This part of the building is probably the remaining section of the stable block to Blucher Hall, which preceded the pub in the 18th century.

3/ Part demolition of the garden wall on two sides
The historic view of Mrs Forman’s and its boundary wall from the course and the road, which has featured in so many pictures of the Links, will be lost.

4/ Damaging effects on Musselburgh Old Course
It is likely that the safety risk posed to the new dwellings by the golf course will require East Lothian District Council to erect a high protective netting or modify the course. Either would have significant detrimental effects on two signature holes of the Old Course, namely ‘Mrs Forman’s’ and ‘Sea Hole’.

As before we have put together a case to oppose the site’s inappropriate development. We feel that it should remain as a pub, or become a public facility that tells the story of Musselburgh’s important place in the history of men’s and women’s golf.

There are planning policy reasons why East Lothian should refuse this second application, which I have itemised in a separate report to them. These do not need to be repeated in every letter, but a large number of letters objecting should ensure this application called in by the Committee, and hopefully refused. We can then talk to the owners about its future.

Please head your letter: -
‘16/00059/P    Alteration and Change of Use from pub / restaurant / manager’s flat to 1 house, erection of 2 houses and associated works, 2 Ravensheugh Road, Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7PP’

The last date for submission of letters or emails on this application is 25th February. Once again we are hoping to get as many letters of opposition to the planners before then.

If you are able to oppose this application one last time, please do so. A template follows below.  

Thank you,

Mungo Park, Neil Laird, David Hamilton

NB it is important that you refer in your letter to the application number 16/00059/P so that your comments can be included in the right case file.

environment@eastlothian.gov.uk  

Planning Department, John Muir House
Brewery Park
Haddington
East Lothian
EH41 3HA.

Attn Ms Stephanie McQueen

Dear Ms McQueen,

Application No 16/00059/P
‘Alteration and Change of Use from pub / restaurant / manager’s flat to 1 house, erection of 2 houses and associated works, 2 Ravensheugh Road, Musselburgh East Lothian EH21 7PP’

I write to oppose the above application for the following reasons:

I believe that the application contravenes the following Planning Policies, as set out in the Local Plan:

C8: Damage to Musselburgh Old Golf Course and its setting;
ENV1 & DP7: Section 3, retention of boundary features and Section 4 retention of important physical features;
DP14: Trees on and near development sites;
DP16: Development in areas at risk of flooding (as shown on SEPA Floodmap).

A number of other policies and vision statements also apply to this proposal, in particular those relating to tourism, historical sites and local natural and built environment and heritage.

Musselburgh Old Course and Mrs Forman’s are historically significant for the following reasons: -
1)    Musselburgh Old Course is the oldest golf course in the world in continuous use.
2)    It was the scene of Open Championships in 1874, 1877, 1880, 1883, 1886 and 1889.
3)    The town was one of the two most important centres in the history of early golf before the first world war.
4)    Mrs. Forman’s is one of the oldest golf pubs in the world.
5)    It has been central to the history of golf for the 194 years since it was built.
6)    The right hand section of the pub is a much older structure, probably 18th century, and pre-dating Mrs Forman’s. Its demolition would be a significant loss of a historic structure.
7)    The building and boundary wall are important to the continued image and reputation of the Old Course and town of Musselburgh.
8)    Mrs Forman’s is known and valued by golfers throughout the world.
9)    The application is inaccurate in its omission of trees and a flood risk assessment.

No change of use should be allowed until all avenues to retain Mrs Forman’s as a facility for public use or benefit have been pursued.

I urge the Committee to refuse this application, so that this unique asset from  Musselburgh’s remarkable golfing history is not lost.

It would be tragic if this were lost...


Video: Players Try Three Generations Of Clubs At Riviera

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To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the first Glen Campbell Nissan Los Angeles Nissan Northern Trust Los Angeles Open, the PGA Tour set up clubs for the curious to try at what will be the final "Northern Trust" Open before Hyundai takes over in 2017.

Rory McIlroy, Kevin Na, Charley Hoffman, and Anirban Lahiri were among those who hit a variety of vintage clubs from the 1920's, 50's and 90's to commemorate the occasion. Many other players I witnessed--including some of the mid-30s variety who not a single person is paying money to see this week--passed.

From Adam Schupak's Golfweek.com roundup:

As if we needed any further proof that golf equipment has evolved, according to TrackMan data, McIlroy’s carry distance with hickory was 226.1 yards; he stepped it up to 269.9 with persimmon; and 270.6 yards with the original Callaway Big Bertha. When the tournament begins on Thursday, McIlroy likely will use his Nike Vapor 3-wood to avoid driving over the green.

The PGA Tour's highlights:

While we're acknowledging this anniversary, how about a shout-out to the folks who started the event with its eye-catching $10,000 purse, post-Rose Bowl date to attract media before they headed back to Union Station, and the inaugural winner at Los Angeles Country Club, Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper.

Here's a fun read from the late Mal Florence on the late Harry Cooper.

Perth: World's First "Recognizeable" Course Is Spared

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Jamie Buchan reports the various cuts that were decided on in Perth, where the golf course operational deficit was a mere drop in the bucket. Councillors agreed and spared the historic North Inch, which was facing closer over a fairly small amount of money.

However, proposals to axe the historic North Inch golf course – to save about £100,000 a year – and a reduction in public transport costs were rejected.

GolfPunkHQ also has this story on sparing the course, accompanied by a splendid aerial of the course where golf was played five hundred years ago.

Dale Concannon Tweeted this image depicting the early golf scenes at North Inch:

Mrs. Forman's Update: Images, History, Where To Write

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The shock of potentially losing the historic Mrs. Forman's has taken a few days to wear off, but the forces are aligning to preserve golf's most historic social gathering spot as a structure. But why stop there? Conversion to a residence when it hasn't been one for nearly 200 years seems shortsighted.

After the last fight over Musselburgh Links, I've given up trying to understand the inability to grasp the lack of appreciation for Edinburgh historical sites like Musselburgh and Mrs. Forman's. Perhaps it's a matter of branding and marketing, or maybe this traces to the longtime rivalry between St. Andrews and Edinburgh. At this point, nothing should matter but protecting the game's most vital sites of importance.

Enough people know how vital this area was to the shaping of the sport as we know it today. Therefore, preserving golf's first mid-round snack bar and a historic post-round "19th hole" should supersede any rivalries.

For a nice, succinct bit of background on how the demolition plans were discovered, check out Ru Macdonald's discussion with Neil Laird on the Scottish Golf Travel podcast. Laird's excellent Scottish Golf History website is worth a look for background on this saga and for future trip planning.

Our discussion today from Morning Drive:

My photos from inside the now-shuttered eatery, including the view from Mrs. Forman's window, which she opened to serve golfers during their rounds.

Here is the history of the place and more on Mrs. Forman:


And finally, courtesy of building architect Mungo Park, relative of Musselburgh's legendary Park clan, here is where you can write to influence the future of "The Cradle of Golf."

His comments are on a fantastic GolfClubAtlas.com thread about the closing.

Anyone that wants to do the same, or your own version, should do so by e-mail before the 17th February.

You can e-mail direct to,
environment@eastlothian.gov.uk 
but you must quote the Application number 15/01035/P, 2 Ravensheugh Road, Musselburgh and state whether you are supporting or opposing or just commenting.

You can also write to,
 
Planning Department, John Muir House
 Brewery Park
 Haddington
 East Lothian
 EH41 3HA.

Again quote reference number '15/01035/P - 2 Ravensheugh Road, Musselburgh'.

You can also comment on line, but will need to register on the web-site before doing so - not onerous but a bit tedious.

I think it is worth putting a marker down at this stage, so that East Lothian at least knows that Mrs Forman's has a significance to the history of golf, and that people care about it. There is a good level of concern nationally and internationally, and the more comments they receive the more  notice will be taken now and in the future. I shall keep an eye out for future applications.

Help! Golf's First Snack Bar And 19th Hole Facing Demolition

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Not to mention that Mrs. Forman's was home to the original and still greatest beverage cart girl.

It's with complete shock and sadness that I read this Golf Business News story (thanks Peter Flinn) on the October closing of Mrs. Forman's restaurant. Even worse than this lovely eatery closing (one that had been reimagined into a modern pub which also paid tribute to the buildings' incredible past), is the plan by a developer to level the 1822 structure behind Musselburgh's 4th green.

Originally helmed by Mrs. Marion Forman for nearly 20 years, this matronly saint of golf dining served golfers food and drink through the back window, or after their rounds. Many of the game's greats have dined and two of the very greatest even feuded there. While a few Bruntsfield establishments might be able to say they were older, Mrs. Forman's was certainly the first mid-round snack bar and it has been a bit of a miracle that this sweet spot had been reinvented to serve locals and honor the past. Scottish Golf History sums up this and many other moments from Mrs. Forman's past.

Longtime readers will know it was on my must stop list in my Golf Digest story and site video about an East Lothian pilgrimage. How I regret not having stopped in from the Scottish Open to The Open.

Another East Lothian Journal story by Sam Berkeley suggests that the building might be saved, perhaps based on some early feedback to a developer's plans for a car garage on this sacred site for golf.

A rethink is now on the cards, with the company considering retaining the pub building, which had been a local landmark next to Musselburgh Racecourse and Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club for many years.

Well, 194 years to be exact.

My YouTube video on the 4th green and Mrs. Forman's.

My collection of Musselburgh images in one video from a few years ago:

I will put together more images from Musselburgh that include Mrs. Forman's as I'll remember it. Because with a heavy heart, I'm afraid this golfing institution has served it's last meal. Hopefully something can at least be done to keep the structure intact as it's very much in play on the 4th hole of the links.

Tradition Unlike Any Other: Blaming Tradition

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We've all done it: blamed tradition.

When the European Tour opened up the dreaded shorts vs. pants debate by granting waivers and allowing their members to wear shorts in pro-am play, I knew "tradition" would be a target.

Sure, the word gets overused and often is hidden behind by those up to no good. But the debate about pro golfers wearing shorts is not a tradition vs. progress topic.

James Corrigan disagrees.

Golf is never in a worse light than when it is cast in the smog caused by tradition being mixed with pomposity.

The tradition should be extolled; the pomposity excommunicated.

Just because golf did it once does not mean it should still be done today. This is a ball sport which has been affected by the advances in technology perhaps more than any other, but in terms of perception it has been depressingly rooted.

For so long the powers-that-be refused to recognise the necessity to go forwards and kidded themselves and their audience with all this "tradition" claptrap.

They summarily dismissed the opinion that children were being put off by the perception of the old man's pursuit and, as regards participation, woefully failed to capitalise on the gift that was Tiger Woods.

Pro golfers wearing pants has nothing to do with tradition and everything to do with aesthetics.

When you're at a pro golf event and you hear spikes, you will turn to find a well-dressed, pressed and fitted person probably clad in one-too-many logos. But you'll also have no doubt you are seeing a professional in his/her arena. A gladiator of sorts, in their arena. One that we have paid to come see perform.

Athletes should stand out and look impressive. They shouldn't dress look like the rest of us. Pants on a golfer, for whatever reason, add a certain gravitas. Golfers wearing shorts have no chance of standing out and, contrary to claims, do not appear to be more athletic by exposing their legs. Instead, they look like they're late for their 1:20 tee time at any old course, not The Old Course.

So while I certainly can respect the view that it's time to push aside the pant aesthetic, I can't agree that demands by administrators to wear them has anything to do with tradition. It is, as the kids say, what it is. We just know class when we see it. This isn't classy or particularly athletic:

Philly Cricket Buys Its Historic St. Martins Site

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Silly me for thinking Philadelphia Cricket Club owned the St. Martins golf course property recently restored and so very historic to early American golf, but after Jacob Adelman's report of a $600,000 purchase, now we know they were leasing all along. (Thanks to reader LM.)

Not anymore, thankfully. So one of America's most important early homes to championship golf and still the place where members can whap it around using hickories, is safe from future development.

The PCC closed on the nearly 41-acre property on Dec. 17, according to the Media-based Lands Trust, which is empowered to preserve the property for open-space recreational use under the sales agreement.

The property was sold to the PCC by the families of Quita Woodward Horan and George Woodward III, whose forbears had owned the land since the 1880s. The club had long leased the property for part of its nine-hole golf course.

Save "Muni" Campaign Ongoing, UT Determined To Not Listen

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It's been nearly twenty years since Stanford alums had to fight off an attempt to develop that historic course, but that losing effort surely isn't on University of Texas system's radar as Lions Municipal Golf Course continues to be under siege.

Ralph Haurwitz in the Austin-American Statesman reports on the latest effort to register the first segregated course in the Confederacy states, which also happened to have been key to the development of Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite. Crenshaw supports the effort to save the course. The University does not.

Extensive scholarship on Southern golf course desegregation “proves that Muny was the first golf course to desegregate in the states of the former Confederacy,” said Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore, a Yale University history professor, in a letter supporting national listing.

“It is as much a piece of the American story — and potentially as powerful as a teachable experience — as the historic battlefields we protect and embrace,” wrote Jacqueline Jones, who chairs UT’s history department.

The Board of Regents cited financial and ethical obligations when it decided in 2011 to let the city’s lease expire without renewal in May 2019. The city pays a few hundred thousand dollars a year in rent for land that could fetch at least $5.5 million a year if leased for a mixed-use development, the UT System’s executive director of real estate estimated at the time.

Got to help pay those assistant football coaches!

KXAN's David Scott filed a separate report (including video) on the effort to save a community treasure.

£722,500: "Most Valuable Golf Painting" Sold

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I'm not sure if this is the amount Royal Blackheath was looking for from the auction of Henry Callender's 18th century portrait, but they will need to buy their land from The Crown.

Just a reminder, the club is one of the oldest on the planet but has been leasing their land from The Crown, which now has offered the parcel for sale, according to reports. This forced their hand, leading to a sale of art that had been hanging on their wall since the 1800s.

From an unbylined BBC story.

 

The Queen! Royal Blackheath's Prized Painting Up For Auction

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Matthew Rudy notes that Royal Blackheath outside London is auctioning a prized club art piece December 9th to buy the ground they play golf on from...The British Crown.

It seems rather silly that the club is selling one of the oldest and most important early pieces of golf art that has hung on its walls since the 1800s(!!), all to help The Crown pay some bills (or whatever prompted the move by the Queen's real estate arm).

But since its inception in 1608, it has sat on ground owned by the British Crown.

That land has been put up for sale, and to buy it, the club is auctioning off its prize possession -- an 18th century painting of club captain Henry Callender by Lemuel Francis Abbott.

Bonhams auction house is administering the sale and sees it going for over $1 million most likely.

Here is the Bonham's page, in case you were looking for my Christmas gift.

Here's a video about the painting, introduced by Andrew McKenzie:

Forward Press: Two Races-To-Cash Wrapping Up, Aussie Majors Starting And Loopers In The Booth!

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It's a bizarre week in golf as the LPGA Tour and European Tour end their respective "races."

One (LPGA) has a lot on the line with a possible entertaining showdown. The other is teetering on the edge of silliness as players defect and the points leader got to the finals on a free pass from the home office.

For American west coasters, the joyous annual ritual that is going to bed watching Australia's golfing triple crown is upon us. And finally, Friday and Saturday's tour event from St. Simons Island, Georgia will feature two caddies named Bones and Woody working as on course reporters, prompting me to wonder in the column if the next "Rossy" is upon us.

Here is this week's Forward Press column at GolfDigest.com, with links and some fun embeds.

Speaking of Rossy, for those of you too young to remember the beloved ABC/ESPN on-course reporter, I went hunting for a "he's got no chance" clip on YouTube. Sadly, that signature phrase from the late Bob Rosburg was nowhere to be found.

But do check out this short British Pathé highlight reel from Wentworth, circal 1960. The Ballantine's event was played to test the larger American ball. It includes Rosburg, stylish crowds, a stylish version of that now-mangled golf course (no doubt this clip will be studied by restorer Ernie Els) and best of all, those wacky flagsticks!