The Unsung Donald

Renowned Donald Ross Courses Are A Dime A Dozen. Playing The Ones That Have Fallen Through The Cracks? Priceless.

MY HOME COURSE IS ST. MARTINS, a short course with hilarious greens that is part of the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Donald Ross finished 10th at the 1907 U.S. Open there, won by his kid brother. I can play its nine surviving holes in an hour on my lunch break. The assistant pro there is a gent named Glenn Perri, the Muggsy Bogues of the club’s staff, small in stature, big in heart. Like other golfers out of Father Judge and LaSalle, Glenn is high orthodox in his golf practice, and you can guess his stance on shoe-changing in the parking lot. I once brought Brad Faxon to St. Martins, so he could play its circa 1895 holes. Glenn emerged from his Monopoly-piece pro shop and switched out Brad’s Tour bag for a carry bag. “I’m guessing Glenn wouldn’t want me to tip him,” Brad said quietly. Exactly.