This month’s monster Feature Interview with Melvyn Morrow is broken into two parts, the first of which is being published today. The second part (i.e. the remaining 24
pages!) will be published February 18th.
Obviously, much ground is covered. First we start with his great grandfather, Old Tom Morris. Melvyn neatly summarizes Old Tom Morris when he writes that his ‘primary contribution to the game was his ability to bring golf to the masses. His life’s work was to encourage the playing of the game of golf. His great ability was to read the land, noting if it was suitable for the game and then suggesting the number of Holes that a specific section of land could accommodate.’ Melvyn goes on to say, ‘One thing that I am indeed proud of was his ability to understand the game and the way it clearly interfaced with the land and environment, something I feel was quickly lost by the Second World War. Such vital lessons that the land must be fit or sustainable for the game of golf otherwise do not build a course, still are being ignored in the mad belief that money allows the ability to build great golf courses.’
The historian will delight in perusing this Feature Interview in part because of the impressive array of illustrations that Melvyn has included. Students of golf course architecture should be captivated as well such as when Melvyn ponders ‘I find it interesting that in these modern times we introduce the word Strategic yet within the same breath we highlight non penal. I can’t get my mind around this because I firmly believe that when discussing golf the very word strategic must be centred around penal. Golf from start to finish is penal. It is that which gets us to play the game, more importantly, it is the key IHMO to getting repeat rounds over a course, to the point that the word ‘Greatness’ may be attributed to that course.’ He concludes that ‘Strategic is nothing without penal’ which is really well put. Here is another gem: ‘Bunkers/traps are a deterrent forcing the golfer to think his shot, to play safe or test his skill, and take that leap of faith. So they need to be seen as such, to be allowed to play upon the mind of the golfer.’ If ever Geoff Shackelford does a follow-on to his first rate book of quotes Lines of Charm, this Feature Interview is a potential gold mine.
I have read it a few times now, always finding new nuggets to savor. For instance, Melvyn points out, ‘The Gutty ball gave golf that window of some 50 years of consistency allowing the clubs to be developed thus making golf into a fluid game.’ This concept/need for stability/consistency is a REALLY interesting one that is rarely discussed. Certainly, I don’t think that the sport has enjoyed it in recent times. In part, this foundation of consistency is why Melvyn considers the time from ~1850 to 1900 as the sport’s true Golden Age.
Melvyn’s comments aren’t for everyone, which is EXACTLY why they are a delight to read. Some traditionalists like Ralph Livingston and Kevin Mendik will crack a wry smile when they read that ‘The real inheritors of the Royal & Ancient Game of Golf must today rest with those playing the Hickory Game. ‘ Melvyn succinctly summarizes his own view point when he writes/pleads, ‘A Golfer must rely 100% upon his own efforts, which means no outside help, be it from a cart, a caddie, a distance book or electronic aid. The game is based upon walking, which, in itself, reflects a degree of fatigue to the way one plays, certainly towards the end of a round. It is the first and major part of the challenge of the game. Ignore that, and then tell me what game you are playing because it is not Golf!’ I agree 100% with those sentiments, making all the rest of what he has to say of great interest.
Some writers today are too professorial in laying out their thoughts/ideas. To me, their writing style mutes the romance of the game. Not with Melvyn as passion oozes from each paragraph. It is heart felt too such as when he writes, ‘Lack of positive control of technology, allowing technology in both ball and golf clubs to reduce a golfer score is gutless in the extreme.’ He is even more blunt when he pens, ‘Yet IMHO technology is about to, if it has not already outgrown TOC. For this golfer, that is in itself a crime against TOC, against all golfers, also Golf as a game. Is it not a very serious indictment against the R & A as the ruling body of the game?’ Melvyn isn’t playing any angles here as he isn’t trying to sell us anything; Old Tom Morris’s legacy is more than secure. At my urging, Melvyn is sharing with us his unique perspective on the game in a format that I find better suited for him than the Discussion Group as he can fully expound on points without getting diverting. (FYI I have made the same offer to TEPaul to do a Feature Interview and he has twenty-some questions presently in front of him).
The last Q & A of this portion centers around the five worst developments since the passing of Old Tom. Like the rest of the Feature Interview, the answer is potent and it sets the stage nicely, leaving the reader wanting more. See what you think!
Bottom line: My personal hunch is that more people have tried and stopped playing golf in the past fifteen years than in any other period in the sport’s history. Why has golf stagnated? Why have so many people turned their back on the very sport that we love? For answers, read this month’s Feature Interview and stay tuned for Part II in ten days!
Cheers,