THE ADVISOR RECOMMENDED READING

Rhod McEwan of Scotland, is internationally renown as one of the most respected dealers of golf publications, both new and antique. Rhod has combined both passions with a timeless classic reprinted into a new edition with Letters to the Secretary of a Golf Club by George Nash (£24, Rhod McEwan Publishing – £5 shipping to the U.S.). The author was Secretary to Royal Portrush GC in the 1930s and these humorous Letters reveal the fine powers of observation and incisive wit which he brought to the job. He was for many years a regular columnist for Punch magazine and his mischievous sense of fun and impish humour is obvious throughout. Like the golf swing through the ages, these letters show that nothing much has changed when it comes to the gripes and gurgles of members' sensibilities, and what was considered important then is still thought to be worthy of ribald comment now. The first in a trilogy of life at Roughover Golf Club, this reprint proved highly popular at its launch at the Muirfield Open 2002. The facsimile of the orginal 1935 edition was printed in a limited run of 750 copies and is bound in real cloth with top and tail bands, original hammered paper-style dustjacket with silk ribbon bookmark and contains forewords by Sir Michael Bonallack and Bo Parnevik (Jesper’s father and top Swedish comedian). Contact Rhod directly for more information on this and hundreds of other hard to find titles – rhodmcewan@easynet.co.uk.

Another Scot, famed golf photographer Brian Morgan, has produced a limited (2,000 copies) edition of 60 full page images of courses around the world, showcasing the art of golf course photography. The first book, in a planned series of limited edition volumes, includes St. Andrews, Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Old Head, Muirfield, and Loch Lomond among other famous layouts. Morgan has photographed over 900 courses in fifty-four countries and has a library of over 600,000 images. Each volume will be in itself a work of art signed and numbered by Morgan and presented in a box cover. HRH The Duke of York provides the introduction to this handsome book. Reserve by e-mail at books@brianmorgan.com.

Just as Brian Morgan is a true artist with his camera, Ray Ellis, who provides the art in the PerryGolf brochure, is a genius with his paint brush. His new book, Lowcountry (Compass Gallery, $37.50), is a wonderful edition to any library. It is not a golf book, but celebrates the love affair Ray has had with the lifestyle of the southeast over the years. If you enjoy the paintings in the brochure you’ll appreciate his eye for detail in this new book. Copies may be ordered through his gallery in Savannah at ellisgal@bellsouth.net or call 1-800-752-4865.

If you admire the fine photography PerryGolf utilizes it our advertisements, brochures and the PerryGolf Advisor, one reason is Larry Lambrecht. Larry is a good friend of The Advisor and one of the most talented golf photographers in the business. His work has also graced most golf publications and numerous books. Each year he produces a beautiful calendar of favorite Irish courses called Emerald Gems ($11.95 plus shipping). This year he also has available The Emerald Gems collection of limited edition fine art prints produced on Arches watercolor paper, and are signed and numbered by the artist. All of Larry’s gift items are available by visiting www.golfstock.net or by calling 1-888-LOW-DRAW (569-3729). Larry will be out with his own coffee table book on Ireland’s great links in early February.

“Golf is more than a game, it is your passport to the world.” Truer words were never spoken by the editors of The Golf Insider. Thus opens the Introduction to their new travel oriented guide with a unique twist – Golf Travel by Design (The Globe Pequot Press, $17.95). This well written travel book is more than a “where to play” guide, it examines in depth 18 of the game’s most beloved architects and their works across the globe. Throughout the ages from Old Tom Morris to Tom Doak, the authors give you an in depth look at not only their courses but the design philosophy that went into their creation. Get ready to pack your clubs! The book is available at bookstores & annual subscriptions to the monthly The Golf Insider Newsletter are available by calling 1-877-526-6331.

One architect not profiled in Golf Travel by Design is Charles Blair MacDonald, who bought the classical elements of Scottish linksland golf to the mainland of the United States. McDonald, from Chicago, was introduced to the game of golf when he traveled to Scotland to attend university in St. Andrews at the age of 16 in 1872. His first impression of the game was that it was “...stupid and silly, for never in my life had I known a sport that was not strenuous or violent.” But in the ensuing years in Scotland he grew to love the game and the complex mental as well as physical skills it required. His courses are strategically brilliant, built like the links of Scotland to withstand the test of time, and a loving testament to the royal and ancient game. George Bahto, captures the man and his genius in The Evangelist of Golf – The Story of Charles Blair MacDonald. (Clock Tower Press, $85.00).

We all know someone that fits the description of a “Golf Nut,” including ourselves. Now there’s a book celebrating the “Golf Nut” in all of us. Golf Nuts, You’ve Got to Be Committed (Clock Tower Press, $18.85) by Ron Garland and Brian Hewitt makes a great stocking stuffer. Ron Garland is the founder of the official Golf Nuts Society and Brian Hewitt is the editor of GolfWeek Preferred, together they have produced a witty look into our favorite obsession. You’ll realize after reading this book that you’re in some pretty good company – Bob Hope is a Board Member and Michael Jordan was the 1989 Golf Nut of the Year. After reading the book if you want to join the society and possibly become a future “Golf Nut of the Year” call 1-800-GOLFNUT (465-3688) or go to www.GolfNuts.com.

From the moment Curtis Strange and Sam Torrance were named as respectively captains for the United States and European Ryder Cup Teams their goal was to to make sure the Matches returned to the orginal intent and vision of sportsmanship and camaraderie between the players that was Samuel Ryder’s dream. By all accounts the Matches of 2002 achieved that goal and were a testament to the game of golf. But before this year’s event was conducted author Shirley Dusinberre Durham was saddened at the level of “us versus them” that had crept into the competition. Her charming book Mr. Ryder’s Trophy (Clock Tower Press, $22.95) tells a fictional tale, based in historical fact , of Mr. Ryder’s true wishes for the biannual competition. Even with the new found “glow” on the Ryder Cup, it is worth reading so that the goodwill generated in 2002 continues on for generations of golfers to come.

Finally, Mark Frost, in addition to being a bestselling author, is also an accomplished TV story editor and producer of such hits as Hill Street Blues and Twin Peaks. Therefore when he tells a tale you can see the story clearly unfold as you’re reading. In his first non-fiction book, Frost has told the compelling story of the 1913 U.S. Open in The Greatest Game Ever Played (Hyperion Books, $30.00). For anyone not familiar with the tale, Francis Ouimet, a young amateur, forced a playoff between two of the greatest players of all time, let alone his day, Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. The next day Ouimet dug deep and beat both of his idols to claim the title. More than a story of a golf match, Frost’s book captures the emotions of the human drama of the event played out against a backdrop of historical accuracy and social history of the era. The book has also been optioned by Disney as a future major motion picture.