A.W. Tillinghast,
Golf Course Architect,
33 West 42nd St,
New York
March Nineteenth, 1925
Board of Directors,
Berkshire Hills Country Club
Pittsfield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Yesterday I made examination of the
property on which you propose constructing your golf course. I am glad to report that it is altogether
worthy and presents features far ahead of those which usually come under my observation.
Certainly you will require the
entire area of approximately 141 acres, included within the boundaries which we
walked yesterday. This should provide
sufficient land for a thoroughly modern course of eighteen holes, practice
grounds for driving and putting, an ample motor car parking space and clubhouse
approaches.
First, it was necessary to fix
definitely the site for the clubhouse, for this is our dominant. In my opinion there is but one location for
it – on the high plateau with an entrance from the public road, which bounds
the property on the West. Proper tree-planting and future landscaping will insure
privacy from the thoroughfare. The
clubhouse should face over the course to the Northeast, East and
Southwest. If you do not think it
advisable to construct the entire clubhouse at present, I suggest you have
plans for the whole, and erect at the start an ample locker room, which
afterward may become part of the main building.
I understand thoroughly your desires
to open as quickly as possible, nine holes, which may be played during the
coming summer, although the complete course may be several years in the
making. This may be accomplished
without difficulty if we are able to start in when conditions are favorable
before April 15th. This
should give you playing conditions, even though they be of a temporary nature,
in a few instances during July, but it will be absolutely necessary to have
water to all greens. Indeed the water
plan should be your first consideration.
It presents no serious problem but it will be necessary to fix on the
most efficient and economical method of getting the city supply to the highest
points with sufficient pressure to operate large sprinklers. You should provide for a four inch main for
the golf course, branching them down properly to 1-1/4 inch pipes (3/4 inch
connections) back of every green. The
water system is vital if you are to have play over any part of the course
during this coming summer. Obviously it
will be necessary for me to have plans prepared before your water system may be
planned. It will be sufficient to lay
the pipe in furrows with provision for draining before the frosts get into the
ground.
Scenically, the course will be
wonderful. Not only is the panoramic
view of rare beauty, but the presence of fine trees on the course itself will
make it unusually picturesque. Then,
too the stream may be damned and water impounded to provide hazards for several
holes.
The terrain is fine, the natural
contours providing gently rolling fairway for the most part (although there
will be some grading necessary at one point) and without to make play arduous. Altogether it is as nearly perfect as we
might wish.
Drainage will be natural for most
part. The gentle fall to the
intersecting running stream is fortunate.
Soil conditions are good, the loamy
character of the land insures the development of true turf. Although the application of lime to correct
acidity in several places may be necessary, I think it will be only necessary
to provide sufficient manure for the preparation of compost heaps for the
construction of putting greens. This is
important early work and must not be stinted nor postponed.
Although the entire development of
the course will require several years, you should anticipate the construction
of the entire collection of eighteen greens and the working up of the entire
fairway areas. This may be done during
the summer and all be ready for seeding (or planting with stolons) early in
August; depending of course, on weather conditions. This will permit the opening of the entire course probably by
Decoration Day in 1926.
Briefly summing up the prospects, I
am keenly alive to the very unusual possibilities. It all is truly excellent and offers no serious problems. The cost of construction certainly will be
ten thousand dollars less then the average normal course. I estimate that a sum not in excess of
$65,000. will be sufficient to complete the course in every detail, and in a
thorough manner, including your water system and equipment. However, you will not have to anticipate the
expenditure of this amount during the first year for much of the bunkering
should be permitted to wait until the third year.
I can proceed with the staking of
the various holes, the preparation of detailed plans, specifications and
necessary working models for greens (although many will be quite natural) whenever
you advise me to do so.
Awaiting your further instrutions I am
Very truly yours,
A.W. Tillinghast