Brad Klein's Desert Forest Golf Club--The First Forty Years

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Many here who like to collect club histories will want to get this book right away. I'm blown away by the quality of production as well as Brad's excellent research and writing.

This is more then just a club history as it gets into the formative years, as well as the personalities involved with the history of building golf in the Valley of the Sun. It also contains a seperate DVD which is narrated and is a walk or tour of the Desert Forest experience.

Also included are a seperate fold-out map drawn by Patrick Burton and Forrest Richardson.

I can't recommend it enough to all to pick-up this book to add to your collection and at the price of $35.00, it is a STEAL!

You can pick-up the book directly from the Desert Forest Golf Club pro shop at 480-488-4589

[Brad Klein]

Thank for the note, Tommy. By the way, the book cost is $35, plus taxes and S&H.

[Tony Petersen]

  What a FUN golf course... Play it as often as they will let me w/o buying a membership!

[ChipOat]

I hear it's still the best course in AZ, even though Troon, TPC and complex of  Desert Mountain courses have been built since.

Any thoughts?

If we did this thread already, apologies but I've been AWOL for awhile.

[Jason Tetterton]

Can anyone recommend any other club history books?  Or, places to obtain them other than the usual suspects...Ebay, Amazon, etc?

[Brian_Gracely]

Can anyone recommend any other club history books?  Or, places to obtain them other than the usual suspects...Ebay, Amazon, etc?

This book is not a bad read.  Sort of interesting to see how the clubs got started, how the "Royal" aspect is intermingled, how the Open Championship is intermingled, etc..

http://www.royaltroon.co.uk/history/book.htm

Rich Goodale might be able to say how good the Royal Dornoch version is...http://www.royaldornoch.com/book.htm

[Sean_A]

Jason

I have a few club histories.  I have not been generally impressed, but for one exception.  The Royal & Ancient Golf Club by P.N. Lewis, K. Mackie and J. Behrend is outstanding.  This is a three volume collection which details the history of The R&A and therefore golf, or a large part thereof (is this really a word?).  The three volumes can be read on their own which is a good because I am told the first volume is difficult to obtain.  The books are produced by www.grantbooks.co uk.  

The books are expensive, but well worth the cash.  Bob Grant is an old hand at producing club histories.  I wouldn't think anybody even comes close to the numbers he produces.

Ciao

Sean Arble
   

[JohnV]

The 2004 winner of the USGA Book Award was a history of Walton Heath.  I've not seen it, but I assume that it must be very good for them to award a book that is only available at an English club.

[John Foley]

I would highly recomend the Pine Valley Club History if you can get your hands on it. I got mine on Ebay about a year ago and while not cheap at all, it was very well written (by James Finnegen) w/ good documentation on the development of the course. It has a fantastic rendered painting of the course which I imagine is hanging in the clubhouse, but I've never seen before.

Also have the Shinnecock one and it was very dissapointing.

Has The National ever done one?

[Thomas_Brown]

AAFLA has about 150 club histories in their library.

[Jason Tetterton]

What is the AAFLA?  I'm not familiar with this.

[Robert_Ball]

AAFLA is Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles.  Their library can be browsed at www.aafla.com

I second John's recommendation on the Pine Valley history. I got mine at the pro shop and have very much enjoyed it.

Not sure if it's still available but the Chicago Golf Club centennial is also a good read.  Hole-by-hole descriptions by Crenshaw.

[Yancey_Beamer]

I recently received and finished reading this book.
The book consists of a history of Arizona, Pheonix,  Scottsdale, golf in Pheonix and Scottsdale, and the history of the club and it's importance regarding golf architecture.  Included are the DVD which tours the course and a map of the course.  This is the most complete club history I have ever encountered.  It's also the best.  Call 1(480)488-4589, ask for Chris, send a check for $50.00, and enjoy.

[cary lichtenstein]

Fisher's Island book is also excellent