This new book is a 'must have' for anyone with an interest in golf course architecture. Some of us were lucky enough to meet Mr Shone at the Buda Cup gathering at Hoylake in 2006.
This is a history of the course, not a history of the club, and of its 160 pages some 145 are dedicated to the development of the course from its original 9 holes to the most recent amendments of 2010, and even to speculation about potential new holes made possible by the natural creation of a new sand dune on the seaward side of the course. Mr Shone's research has been meticulous and the precise detail he has been able to give us of exactly how each hole has been changed and developed over the years is compelling. There are many historic photographs showing us how each hole looked in each period of its development, supported by exemplary plans, maps and aerial photographs. The reasoning behind each and every change is given objectively, yet Mr Shone, a member of the club for 50 years, is never afraid to express opinion on whether these changes were good or bad. Many changes were made in house, very often forced upon the club, but the architects of the major changes (Colt, FW Hawtree, Sinclair, Steel, Martin Hawtree) are given full coverage. The green keepers and their practices over the ages have, rightly, been given prominence and ecology is also covered. Contemporary photographs give a true picture of today's course and how it is played - they are not merely there to look good.
This is a high quality book and if you want the leather-bound Collector's Edition it will set you back £140 plus postage and packing. However, the Standard Edition costs £40 with P&P of £4.75 in the UK or £8.50 for the USA. It is obtainable by cheque made payable to 'Hoylake Links', c/o Trident House, 31-33 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2HF, or by bank transfer to Hoylake Links - A/C No 73848914 - Sort Code 40-29-08. It can also be purchased from Royal Liverpool GC, or from Mr Shone himself - I can put you in touch with him personally, if you wish.