Due to my inability to walk far thus being unable to play golf, flatly refusing to ride and play golf from a cart. I have spent many years researching some of the 19th century golfer i.e. Old and Young Tom as well as golfing history over this period.
I have totally enjoyed compiling a list of courses connected to Old Tom, Charlie Hunter and the other Hunters & Morris’s, yet I feel for me the most pleasure has come from uncovering the early history of many clubs. In some cases, over 50 of the initial course layouts/maps have come to light, which I have been able to pass on to the clubs. Lamlash being one of the most enjoyable experiences as it was completely different to what they had come to believe, as their early records had been lost.
The other highlight again relates to uncovering and understanding the staking of the course AM, playing it PM. This is a total misunderstand of the whole design build process from the mid to late 19th Century. One, which I am totally shocked and surprised, has continued right up to the present day. The history books, newspapers both National & local give a clear answer to the process. Nevertheless, we seem so happy to undermine the early designers into believing they were a one-day wonder, yet we ignore the fact that courses during this period took on average 3 months from the commission of the design to the opening of the course. Even then, the reports say that the course will continue to improve with much play over the next year.
There was a clear understand between the early designers and the Clubs Committees, the staking was part of the process of designing and building our golf courses. There was a requirement of an experienced designer to check and tweak (if necessary) a course if designed by a local figure, either before or after the course was opened. This was not just a publicity stunt, but a serious endeavour to see that the course came up to desired standards and expectation of the day.
The problem we have and will continue to have is that we must set out mind to the right period and think accordingly, not examine the information using our 21st Century minds.
So compiling a list of courses, uncovering maps, find old sites of closed golf courses all added to, I believe my understanding of what I call and will continue to call The Original Golden Age of Golf 1848-1900 and was certainly my Personal Highlights of the Decade. Perhaps getting back on the golf course will be the Highlight for the next Decade.
Melvyn