Christmas Gift Ideas for the Golf Architecture Nerd

[Michael Whitaker]

On Robin Hiseman's thread about his Strantz magazine article AG Crockett had a wonderful suggestion for a possible Christmas gift for the golf nerd, as follows:

I would remind everyone again that prints of Mike's designs are available from his family, with a portion of the proceeds assisting families dealing with cancer treatments.  I've bought two prints; great for your own collection or as a gift.

http://www.mikestrantzdesign.com/strantzgallery.html


What other cool gift ideas can you guys think of?

[Richard_Mandell]

Mike,

You can purchase copies of The Legendary Evolution of Pinehurst, Home of American Golf, a completely re-written and updated, full-color version of Richard Mandell's award-winning 2007 book.  With forty additional pages, the book includes a new chapter detailing the restorations of No. 2 and Mid Pines as well as construction of the Dormie Club and other developments since 2007.  In addition, about forty percent of the photographs have never before been seen and the history of Southern Pines Golf Club is completely updated and more detailed. An introduction by Ben Crenshaw rounds out the new offerings.  This is a must-have published by T. Eliot Press. The book retails for $75.00.

How's that for sales, Mike?

[David_Tepper]

http://golframes.com/

[Jim_Kennedy]

There are a few cos. that will let you purchase one share of stock, so you could get the golf nerd a share in Callaway...  




...but I'd rather have one of these:

[David_Tepper]

Jim K. -

I heard on TV just the other day that fewer and fewer companies are issuing actual stock certificates these days. The trend is towards "book entry."

DT

[Jim Colton]

I'm sure the Bandon coffee table book will find its way under many a nerd's tree this  Christmas

http://bandondunesgolfshop.com/collections/coffee-table-book

[Pete_Pittock]

link to the Paul Daley thread http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,56806.0.html

[Howard Riefs]

Jim K. -

I heard on TV just the other day that fewer and fewer companies are issuing actual stock certificates these days. The trend is towards "book entry."

DT

True. Much of the attention is due to Disney discontinuing its paper stock certificates.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/10/09/disney-stock-certificates-head-to-never-never-land/2956765/

[Jason Topp]

How about a real life friend rather than supposed internet friends?

[Howard Riefs]

Brad Klein's new book, Wide Open Fairways, would also make for a nice gift -- for both real-life and Internet friends.


http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php?topic=56396.0

http://golfweek.com/news/2013/sep/05/golf-architecture-bradley-klein-wide-open-fairways/

http://www.amazon.com/Wide-Open-Fairways-Journey-Landscapes/dp/0803240376

[Colin Macqueen]

Gentlemen,
I second Brian S's suggestion of the "Golf Architecture" series from Paul Daley.

I just recently bought all six extant volumes (volume 7 is still in the process of gestation!) and am thrilled beyond measure. I suspect that buying all six as a batch could give a nice discount. Of course you can tailor the number you buy to suit your budget and spread the Christmas pressie out over 2-3 years! Yer done thinking!

Beautifully illustrated and photographed with essays that touch on all we here are besotted with.  I couldn't wait until Christmas but think all my Christmas's have come at once owning the series.

Cheers Colin

[Howard Riefs]

I hope everyone can support George Waters and order a copy of his new book Sand and Golf.
I first met George when he and Tony Russell shaped the bunkers at Marine Drive GC under the watch of Jim Urbina.
George is a very talented and knowledgable young man who spent this past summer in Edmonton with Jeff Mingay and is now reunited with Tony and Jim on a project in Chicago. I'm certain his book will must read for all members of GCA.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1939621038/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1383773566&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

[Mark Alexander]

How about a St Andrews Links Trust calendar? You'll have to be quick though; only 16 left! Must have something to do with the photography.

Please be aware that I recognise fully the unashamed opportunism of this thinly veiled attempt at self-promotion.

http://www.standrews.org.uk/Shop/Golf-Gifts/Other-Gifts?skunumber=71434

[Carl Johnson]

Highly recommend Bradley S. Klein's Discovering Donald Ross: The Architect and His Golf Courses, Duck Pond Press (2011, Expanded edition).  You can order from: http://www.discoveringdonaldross.com/

[Tony_Muldoon]

Alfie Ward, long term contributor to this website, has a most entertaining new book out.  

It sets out the full story of how he and his brother recreated a long lost course from the days of Hickory.

This is the most authentic course reconstruction you’ll ever hear of. They literally walked the ground to find the holes, at least in part because they couldn’t afford a tractor! Over the next couple of years they then acted as designers, labrourers, green keepers/sheep s+++ shovellers/receptionist/historian/tea makers/etc/etc. doing it all exactly like it was done the first time.

Against incredible odds they got the club up and running and received both incredible life affirming feedback and stunning setbacks.  Alfie doesn’t spare the pain, of either the physical effort this required of them or the toll it took on those around them.  There are also the days that they wouldn’t have traded for anything. How many times has Sean Connery called you?

Many of the books recommended above fit neatly into categories where the well read GCA’er won’t read that much that’s new to them.  However this book is unique.  Alfie honestly and compellingly tells the story of how he and his brother built a course by hand.  He lived the dream and now he’s documented it. Recommended.

I will leave it at that for now as I believe Ran is planning an interview about the book early next year. At that point Alfie will be delighted to answer Your questions – just as soon as he can remember his bloody password!

The book is self published but available from.

http://cpbooks.christianpost.com/Alfie-and-Harry-Ward-Fairways!-What-Fairways/5/0/2833/
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fairways-What-Alfie-Ward/dp/1483675661/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383926919&sr=1-1&keywords=fairways+what+fairways
 
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fairways-what-fairways-alfie/1116520061?ean=9781483675664
 
There appear to be several bookstores who are listing the book ; WH Smith and, of course, Xlibris.com
 
There's no point posting the book abroad as the postage is extortionate, but Alfie can send direct to the UK for £13 (signed copies)  contact him at  alfieward28@gmail.com


Merry Christmas Alfie.

[Dan Kelly]

How about a real life friend rather than supposed internet friends?

Sometimes, supposed Internet friends turn into real-life friends!

Thanks, Ran.

[Michael Whitaker]

How about a real life friend rather than supposed internet friends?

Sometimes, supposed Internet friends turn into real-life friends!

Thanks, Ran.

How true, Dan! I have 30 or more real friends who were once cyber-chums.