Feature Interview with Connor T. Lewis

[Ran Morrissett]

https://golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/feature-interview-with-connor-t-lewis/

A historian can take many approaches. He can do a deep dive on a significant influencer (e.g. the just released stunner A Matter of Course by Derek Markham and Philip Truett about Herbert Fowler) or make broader strokes (The Story of American Golf by Herbert Warren Wind). Either way, the key is the conveyance of meaningful information in an entertaining manner as we all win when people share their historically important discoveries. Of course, there is always an exception and Joe Andriole and I were once rebuked by a historian to whom we had offered a Feature Interview. His rejection - ‘Why would I? If I share my information, it is no longer mine’  - floored me but thankfully, his view proved to be an anomaly. Most historians yearn to disseminate what they have discovered and in our multimedia digital world, they can gain a greater audience in a shorter time than ever dreamt of in the print era.

Enter Connor T. Lewis, this month’s Feature Interviewee, founder of The Society of Golf Historians and originator/host of the TalkinGolf History podcast. These venues enable Connor to reach a large, enthusiastic following with whom he shares his personal revelations on topics that pique his interest. His efforts are commercial free, the pursuit of money does not drive him. Rather, he states, ‘I wanted to create a place where people could teach, people could learn, share their findings and ask questions. I love golf historians, but I wanted a society that didn’t just cater to historians. I wanted to create a society that at its core was inviting to all. Now pushing 30,000 members I am at a complete loss as to how this happened. I will say that the Society, as well as the podcast TalkinGolf History, are not stuffy. Our aim is to be engaging and entertaining while hopefully educating. There is no professor with a pipe and a monocle on the other end of the podcast.’  What’s not to like about this man and his mission - his motivation is pure and since he isn’t beholden to advertisers, he is free to feature and say and do what he likes.

Connor and I first met a few months ago while creating "The Gathering,' episode no. 63 on TalkinGolf History and GCA.com's March Feature Interview. His passion for golf course architecture made him an obvious candidate for a Feature Interview especially since I surmised he might have a different take on things. Sure enough, if you have been waiting on a read that touches courses like Temple Terrace, Downers Grove, Lake Zurich, and Harleston Green, your day has arrived. You’ll find his love of Victorian architecture palpable. He embraces not only ‘adventure golf’ but also singular talents in any era, including, for instance, Mike Strantz. Both in person and on his podcasts, his enthusiasm is infectious.

Much to his credit, Connor has compiled a diverse library of podcasts, totaling north of 65 and growing by the month. Check them out, and know that his hobby is time intensive and a money loser. Yet, he charges on, because his is a genuine labor of love. Hopefully, this month’s Feature Interview conveys that and gives the reader insight into Connor’s personality and fancies. If so, like me, you will conclude that Connor’s inquisitive mind will keep churning out one-of-a-kind content and that he epitomizes the modern day historian.

Best,

[Tommy Williamsen]

Fascinating interview. I never heard of anyone who played "gutty" golf before. I had never heard of Lake Zurich GC either. Found this about the club.


https://www.jdrewrogers.com/blog/47/lake-zurich-%E2%80%93-a-brand-of-golf-all-it%E2%80%99s-own

[MCirba]

Anyone who would hurl themself in front of a moving bulldozer to save Victorian architectural features on a Pittsburgh Muni is a-ok in my book.   

[Sean_A]

I never met the man, but Connor's podcasts are very good and improving. His efforts to act as the bridge between history and his listeners are very much appreciated. All in the Tree House owe it to themselves to give Connor some time.

Ciao

[Cal Seifert]

I really enjoyed his two part podcast about the history of Seth Raynor. It was neat to learn so much about a person that has hardly any info about him online or written.

[Thomas Dai]

Promoting the history of the game is fine by me. Not just from a long time ago either. What happened yesterday or the day before etc is still history.
Good to have podcast recordings of folks within the game now too. Building up an an archive of those that did something speaking themselves about it. Shame such doesn’t exist for Colt or MacKenzie or those others akin to them either before and since.
Some words of caution though .... the historian should never be the centre of attention. The centre of attention should be the history itself.
Well done Connor and others undertaking similar ventures.
Atb

[Niall C]

I've just belatedly read Ran's enjoyable interview with Connor. It may interest both Ran and Connor that the Smart sketch in the interview which wasn't identified, and is of Alexandra Park Glasgow, is the oldest golfing ground in Glasgow still being played over today. Or rather I should say, was being played over until COVID. The course has effectively been shut since then and is unlikely to open back up. In truth it is/was no longer much of a course but it is still a shame to lose such a link with the past.


Niall