Ally - I think it's true that Darwin was exceptional; but what he did have in common with his modern-day counterparts is that he looked for the 'human drama' in a sporting event, ie the various personal narratives on display (eg redemption, the breakthrough moment of youth, the last hurrah of the aged etc). But the difference between then and now, as you note, is that Darwin personified the golf course too, ie made it an element of/protagonist in that human drama. Granted, maybe it was easier back then when the courses he wrote about had such distinct 'personalities' and such long and varied 'histories' of their own. But also, as again you note, it was as if Darwin was writing 'theatre', and so he never forgot the importance of the 'stage'. Lear and the Fool need to get out of the rain, so they hunker down in the Road Hole bunker...