Tom,
All interesting speculation, and you may be correct, but without someone here actually viewing any internal documents and/or administrative records that may exist at Myopia we are basing this entire discussion on a series of copied gossip column articles from the Opening Day tournament that have been shown in many instances to be almost frightfully wrong and uninformed as to the particulars of the then-nascent game.
So, the best any of us can do is speculate, and sometimes grossly so, unfortunately.
Personally, I'd love to see if a copy of the original history book you referenced is available anywhere...perhaps Library of Congress, but suspect based on the title that it may be much more about the Hunt, than about golf.
I do understand why David, and perhaps you, would simply like to close the book on this one and consider it done, but way too many things don't make sense, or sit right, and with only partial evidence at your/our disposal you can never really settle these matters anyway.
For instance, assuming Campbell laid out the course, why would he, with untold acreage at his disposal, suggest they use land that was owned by Dr. Hopkins, particularly since that land is low-lying and sort of swampy?
How many 2,050 yard courses did Campbell lay out? Doesn't that seem to be a very short course, even for those times?
Why is there no other mention of Campbell laying out the course at Myopia than in those Opening Day articles, and we know for a fact that these gossip columns either stole shamelessly from each other, or else it was the same writer penning for multiple papers.
You also have no further mention of any involvement of Campbell in the changes to the layout over the next few years, even during the 1896 summer that Campbell was pro there...everyone at the time credited Leeds.
There is also the almost continual confusion in every article of the time that mentions the new course at Myopia almost synonymously with the new course at Essex that we know Campbell laid out, culminating in ridiculousness with the report that the opening day tournament at Myopia actually happened in Manchester on the Essex course!
Hardly something to close the book on, as much as we'd all like closure.
As regards Campbell and his employment at/with Myopia, I put together the following timeline to try and understand how he might have been omitted by Weeks, and what might have happened with him during that period and would certainly appreciate your input and any corrections you feel are appropriate. Let me know what you think.
March 1896 - The New York Times reports that a Mr. Weir is likely going to be the new pro at The Country Club as it has been decided (without explanation) not to renew Mr. Campbell's contract this year.'
Spring 1896 - Campbell visits Philadelphia and lays out a few courses, including nine holes for the Merion Cricket Club.
July 1896 - The first mention of Campbell playing golf for Myopia in professional tournaments. I believe it can be reasonably assumed that he was hired for the season that began in June.
October 1896 - The last mention of Campbell playing golf for Myopia in professional tournaments. The public course at Franklin Park opens this same month.
November 1896 - It was reported that Campbell has been retained as "greenkeeper" at Franklin Park and has been very busy at it. The article speculates that once he gets things running properly that he may get permission to give lessons during certain hours of the morning.
May 1897 - It is reported that the Franklin Park course is not ready yet and that the Commissioners are dragging their feet on contracting Campbell to be the greenkeeper, or perhaps Campbell was not going to sign the contract without sufficient workers being provided. During this period it seems Campbell is keeping the greens cut, but the grass is so high on the fairways as to discourage any playing.
July 1897 - It is reported that after many weeks of waiting, the situation (and presumably Campbell's contractual arrangements) at Franklin Park regarding conditions has been resolved.
This timeline leads me to a few questions....I'm wondering if his engagement with Franklin Park didn't somehow sour his relations at Myopia? Those courses are about 30 miles away from each other and if he was involved with the startup of the FP course it may have conflicted with his expected duties at Myopia perhaps? I'm also wondering exactly why his employment with TCC and Essex ended.
I also wonder exactly what his duties at Myopia involved? Unlike when he was employed originally at TCC and Essex, I have been unable to find any newspaper documentation mentioning where and when of the particulars of his employment at Myopia. Did his role include greenkeeping, clubmaking, lessons? Or was he simply their playing professional? Hard to know from what is documented.
Any additional information you might have to shed light on these questions would be helpful, Tom...thanks.