Bernard Darwin

[Kyle Harris]

I've read some of his work, but I was wondering what collections of his writings are worth purchasing...

Any recommendations?

[wsmorrison]

Jeff Silverman edited a book containing a number of Darwin's writings on golf.  It was published by Lyons Press and is regarded very highly.  The sections in the book deal with Darwin's writings on himself, the spirit of the game, players, courses and other aspects of the game.  Well worth getting, I think it is excellent.

I think Ann Arbor Media group is also putting together a group of articles by Darwin for publication in the near future.

[Kyle Harris]

Wonderful, thank you Wayne.

I've always found his remarks on golf to be very poignant and fitting. Something about the tone and elegance to his prose that I like.

[Andy Hughes]

Kyle
I am in the middle of Darwin's Golf between Two Wars.  It's not a collection of his works, but I would certainly recommend it highly.
Andy

[wsmorrison]

"Wonderful, thank you Wayne."

Kyle,
Anything for a fellow Pennsylvanian  

[Kyle Harris]

Right side of PA too...

[Kelly Blake Moran]

Kyle,

Without question, one of the best golf books of all time is his "Golf Courses of the British Isles".  

[Kyle Harris]

Thanks Kelly,

Question for you: There is a new golf course being built in Jamison, PA (Northampton township) that has your name connected to it... are you the designer?

It's right around the corner from me and I am eager for some new golf in the area.

Also wouldn't mind an insiders peek at the design and construction...

[wsmorrison]

"Right side of PA too..."

I'm liking you better all the time, Kyle.  I only go to Ron Forse's side of the state when I have to  

[Kyle Harris]

I was actually born in Pittsburgh in 1983...

April 8, 1983 specifically

Only reason I mention that is because my family lived in a Pittsburgh suburb at the time, maybe some of you have heard of it..

Town is called Oakmont...

No one in my family plays golf, but we all know that a certain national championship was played at a certain country club that was right across Hulton Road from my house in June of 1983... so I guess I breathed the air and got the bug then.

My family came to their senses and moved me across Pennsyltucky to the better half of the state in 1985 though, and I haven't looked back since... though would give anything to play Oakmont.

[gookin]

You guys are all confused about the right side of PA.  But I don't want any more traffic anyway. Llets keep sending people to Philly.

[wsmorrison]

David,

Of course I was just kidding. I'm proud of the whole Commonwealth of PA, your side included.  Now the middle of the state...well, hell yeah, that too!  

I had the pleasure to walk Fox Chapel and Oakmont on the same day and that was one of my great learning experiences.  I sure do look forward to returning to the western portion again.  Next time, I hope that you and Don Wolff will be there...I'll try to give more notice.  

Am I right, or rather is Tom Paul right that we might see you in the mountains of Virginia later this month?  At one of your favorite courses?  I hope so.

[George Pazin]

David -

I'm pretty sure they were calling eastern PA the right side purely in the sense of looking at a map, for no one could possibly think that is the better side of PA!

 

For me, 30+ years in the Burgh versus 4 years trapped in Philly was   just about right....

[wsmorrison]

"For me, 30+ years in the Burgh versus 4 years trapped in Philly was  just about right.... "

George, it sounds like you were in our bunkers too often!  Four years, huh?  College or work?

Don't you at least miss the cheesesteaks?  How about Aronimink, Huntingdon Valley, Lancaster, Lehigh, Manufacturers, Merion, Philadelphia Country Club, Pine Valley, Rolling Green.....etc

[Bill Gayne]

I only recently became aware of the fact the Bernard Darwin was the grandson of Charles Darwin. I would second the recommendation of "Golf Courses of the British Isles." The original was published in about 1910 and the copy I bought was a 1988 reprint. It didn't cost me much on Ebay and it was probably worth three or four times as much. A pleasure to read because of the style that it was written in.

I would think that a book biography of the man himself would be interesting. The difficulty would be the biographer could never write with the same style as the subject.

[Kyle Harris]

Like how this turned into a Eastern PA v. Western PA debate...

Either way, thanks for all the helps with Bernard Darwin, I'll be sure to get my hands on everything recommended with time.

[Agman]

Wayne --
     
        Much as I appreciate the editor's plug for "Bernard Darwin on Golf,"  one of T&L Golf Magazine's 25 Best Golf Books Ever, and now available in paperback, you've *always* got to mention the title (and any other snazzy attachments you can think of); you'll have that drummed into you when you go out selling Flynn.

        Meanwhile, I notice the snow is melting, and the calendar says it's almost March.

js

 

[Willie_Dow]

Maybe the references to Darwin in Mark Frost's book "The Greatest Game Ever Played" were doctored up a bit, but you get to know what a dedicated man he might have been for the game.

[wsmorrison]

Jeff,

I am a sloooooow learner.  Sorry 'bout that!  Snow is nearly gone, how's about tomorrow or wednesday?

Bill,

Did Mike call you in the car yesterday?  Hope Mel is well and you enjoyed the day.

[Willie_Dow]

Wayne

Got some good ideas for irrigation at Salters.

Jeff Nixon called, but no word from Mike.  

[wsmorrison]

Irrigation at Salters....I think you're about to get your door knocked down from Tom Paul and his Maintenance Meld Police!  Those MMPs are a tough bunch even for an ex-hockey player like yourself.  How about irrigation for the greens and tees just to grow them in and then leaving evreything to Mother Nature?  You'll have to get Mel to tell you what grass strains you'll need.

[paul cowley]

...I've thumbed all through it and I can't find anything about golf in Origin of Species  

[Willie_Dow]

paul

If you read above you'll see that Bernard was a grandson of Charles.

The mention of how Bernard slogs through that rough New England weather with Ouimet in 1913, on a course which measured 6,245 yards, the back nine at 3,000 yards - before Wm Flynn, I might add (right Wayne?) - shows his dedication to golf.

[wsmorrison]

Right you are, Bill.  Flynn remodeled the existing 18 and designed the additional nine holes at TCC in 1927.

[Kyle Harris]

Will TCC be getting the 2013 US Open? I remember reading Geoff Shackelford's latest book and he alluded to the fact that a classic golf course may not get an Open on a VERY important anniversary because of lack of space for corporate tents...

Is this the course? If so....

Ugh.