What are your experiences with oral histories? Recollections are not perfect, but often interesting in and of themselves. From Corey Miller, GCA, 2003, out of context: "As older members depart a source of "oral history" is lost." [Ref:
http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,6260.msg119562/]
My club started as a public course in 1929 and became private in the late 1950s. Many of the 1950s charter members are no longer available for interview. Even fewer of the public course players, including PGA Tour pros, are left. A number of years ago, my wife, who is a historian and has take oral histories, began an oral history project with our older members. Politics killed it. Still, as I approach the older member status and chat in bar (where else) with some of the really "experienced" members, it strikes me that an oral history project would be worthwhile. The stories will be all over the lot, myth, legend, club politics, and so on, but will also include course and architecture recollections. Again, may or may not be historically accurate, however you take that, but I suggest certainly of value as part of the record.
Comments and answers appreciated. Such as, what in your view is the value of this sort of thing? What tips can you give me if I want to try an oral history project at our club?