To Inspire...

[Phil_the_Author]

Someone recently asked my opinion on whether they should write a book about a particular golf course architect. They believed that the gentleman was more than noteworthy enough, that there has never been anything published about him and that he felt very compelled to do it. On top of that it wouldn't be his first golf book and so is very aware of the process involved.

Still he holds back and is reticent about making the commitment.

Therefor I was wondering who or what in golf's long history might be a great subject for a book. Remember, their story must be compelling and it must be marketable.

So who or what should this next great golf history book be about? Let's inspire someone to do it...

[wsmorrison]

If not about a particular architect,

The gentleman amateur architects in America (Leeds, Fownes, Crump, Wilson, Thomas, etc)

Golfing societies in the UK and the US (e.g. Match Play, Port, Ozone, Divotees, etc)

[Sean_A]

Assuming that a proper Colt book is in the works, the subject I would choose is Fowler.  Though, I also like the idea of a book about some of the great golfing societies.  I would add The Leatherjackets, Moles, OxBridge and one or two others. 

Ciao

[wsmorrison]

Also the Marylebone Cricket Club Golf Society.  That's a great group of gentlemen!

Sean,

Great idea on Colt.  I hope there's a book being done on the man.  In the meantime, I have a number of club histories with courses by Colt.  That helps...for now.

[TEPaul]

Wayne:

Wow; I was thinking of what I consider to be a great subject and lo and behold you mentioned it in your first sentence on post #1-----eg the so called gentleman amateur/sportsman architect who seemingly filled such an important and perhaps transition roll during a fascinating time in the early evolution of golf and architecture in this country and perhaps in England too. The extra interesting part or point is those famous few of them created such enduring courses and architecture that still are and probably always will be right up there near the top of what is considered to be the best in the world.

[wsmorrison]

Hey, Tom.  Well, I got the idea from you. 

[Ronald Montesano]

I'll take the opposite tack and say, today's architects, great and small.  Why not address the issues of the day and the women and men who contend with them?  Keep it real, keep it breathing, keep it smelling like Axe, not mustiness.  For volume two, take your gentlemen architects and run with them.

[Adam Clayman]

How about the women of GCA. Alice Dye perhaps?
 Other than that, who's story is compelling and marketable?

[Dan Herrmann]

Just stealing from Wayne here, but speaking as a parochial Philly guy, but a book (or even an article) on the Divotees would be amazing. 

[George Pazin]

Wayne touched on what I'd most like to see - something on the two amateurs who created two of the highest ranked courses, Fownes and Crump.

[Garland Bayley]

Bill Diddel

[John Burzynski]

Diddel was a great sports star in his own right outside of golf, especially in basketball in the early 1900's.  He is a lesser known architect in the Midwest, and was a heck uva golfer even late in life routinely shooting in the 70's and 80's.  Probably a good ole Midwestern boy story to tell there somewhere.

But to be honest, a book on Diddel probably would have limited appeal outside of Indiana and golf course architecture fanatics.

[Garland Bayley]

...
But to be honest, a book on Diddel probably would have limited appeal outside of Indiana and golf course architecture fanatics.

As opposed to Fownes and Crump who undoubtedly have worldwide appeal. 
Diddlel was also a smart dude and inventor. He wasn't some malcontent who went around putting bunkers in places where he got beat from. 

[Ian Andrew]

I always thought Mike Strantz would be an interesting subject.

The architecture was original, there is lots of information available, most courses are intact with notes or plans available for review, and some element of controversy makes for a good read.

[John Burzynski]

...
But to be honest, a book on Diddel probably would have limited appeal outside of Indiana and golf course architecture fanatics.

As opposed to Fownes and Crump who undoubtedly have worldwide appeal. 
Diddlel was also a smart dude and inventor. He wasn't some malcontent who went around putting bunkers in places where he got beat from. 

Garland:

Don't get me wrong, I'd be one of the first to buy his book, my home course is a Diddel design, and as a fellow Hoosier he would be interesting, but beyond peach baskets and dirt floors at Wabash U., as well as shooting his age in golf until he was in his 80's and 90's, well, not sure there is a nationwide best seller there.

Diddel seems very interesting from what I have read about him, come to think of it I haven't ever read anything in depth longer than a few web pages about his life.

[RJ_Daley]

Yes, I also think from what I've heard about Strantz, that he would be a good subject of a book, with the added inspriration of him working through his agony of illness. 

I wonder if Des Muirhead would also be interesting to research.