Since the age of eight, when I first played golf with my father, I have been interested in how golf courses are maintained and built. Playing this great game has taught me about respect, etiquette, and above all fair play. While there are many reasons to play golf, I still enjoy playing because it is the one sport where there are no referees, no judges, just where the players themselves call penalties on themselves. My career as a student has taught me how to manage the turfgrass on these playing fields and my graduate career has taught me how to manage turfgrass pathogens. However, the more I delve in to my chosen pursuit, the more I want to know about the game's beginnings, and the more I want to know about events, people, and courses that have had an effect on what the game is today.

So, as a junior transfer student in turfgrass science at The Ohio State University, I began this collection. Initially, I was consumed with tracking down original volumes of the seminal works on golf course architecture. After realizing the prohibitive costs involved in procuring original texts from the 1920-1930's, I searched for other ways that I could collect these works without breaking the bank. I learned of a book club that specialized in classic books on golf. The "Classics of Golf" book club broadened my interests as I received their offerings every few months. I also began to search local stores, rare book stores, and other avenues for possible additions to my growing collection. I began reading about the history of the game and reading stories of the first great players. I added books to my collection on topics as far ranging as instructional books to metaphysical fiction books.

At present, my entire collection contains about 100-120 books on these varied topics. Those books that I have selected from this collection fit a group of books that focuses on the history, people, and courses that have shaped the game as we know it today. Each book in this selection was chosen because somehow the subject of the book deals with topics that have shaped and will continue to shape the face of this great game. In the future, perhaps I will achieve a station in life that will allow me to pursue those elusive first editions, but for now, I continue to collect those books that help me understand the constant evolution of this game. I guess I would best describe myself as a "student of the game".

Balfour, James. Reminiscences of Golf on St. Andrews Links. Edinburgh: David
Douglas, 1887 (Reprint Ailsa Inc., 1987).
This book is a collection of thoughts by Balfour on one of the oldest courses in existence, St. Andrews Links. First published in 1887, his descriptions of the Old Course (as it is referred to today) are still accurate. He chronicles a time of change in the course where the original feathery ball was replaced by the gutta percha ball and his longing for the "old days" is clear in his writing.

Browning, Robert. A History of Golf. London: J.M. Dent and Sons Ltd, 1955 (Reprint Ailsa Inc.).
Browning chronicles the history of golf from its origins as "Kolf", a Dutch game played on ice to its modern counterpart that is considered more of a science than art. He highlights the evolution of such standbys as the caddy, 18 hole rounds, and the rules of the game.

Cronin, Tim. A Century of Golf- Western Golf Association 1899-1999. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 1998.
The contributions to the game of golf by the Western Golf Association are impressive. This book details those contributions, most notably the Evans Scholar program that provides college scholarships to thousands of caddies nationwide each year.

Darwin, Bernard. The Golf Courses of the British Isles. London: Duckworth and Co., 1910 (Reprint Storey Communications/Ailsa Inc., 1988).
Darwin is widely considered the finest golf writer ever, and his book is one of the most sought-after books by collectors. He presents the courses of the British Isles with a hair that makes the descriptions come alive with detail.

Darwin, Bernard, H. Gardiner-Hill, Sir Guy Campbell, Henry Cotton, Henry Longhurst, Leonard Crawley, Enid Wilson, and Lord Brabazon of Tara. A History of Golf in Britain. 1952 (Reprint Ailsa Inc., 1990).
This book, a compilation from some of the greatest writers and players ever to play the game, tells us of the advances in the more recent history of golf. Of particular note, Enid Wilson discusses women's golf, which at the time was beginning to get off the ground.

Cornish, Geoffery S., and Ronald E. Whitten. The Golf Course. New York: Rutledge Press, 1981.
The authors describe the history of golf course architecture and its affect on the design of courses throughout time. They provide a framework by which to understand the reasons certain architectural features are placed in a design. This copy was a gift to players in the 1983 LPGA Championship Pro-Am and is embossed on the front cover with this information.

Cornish, Geoffery S., and Ronald E. Whitten. The Golf Course. New York: The Rutledge Press, 1981 Revised edition 1987.
Same annotation as previous copy. This copy is from the Classics of Golf collection and is imprinted with the routing of St. Andrews Old Course on the front cover.

Davis, William H. The World's Best Golf. New York: Pocket Books, 1991.
Davis clearly showcases and describes the world's greatest golf courses through beautiful photography and compact, but well written descriptions of each course.

Doak, Tom. The Anatomy of a Golf Course. New York: Lyons & Burford, 1992.
Perhaps one of the best modern golf architecture books available, Doak delivers a personal account of what makes for good golf design. His insights about working with the land and environmentally conscious designs have lead to a recent movement toward "minimalist" architecture where the architect uses the land to dictate their design rather than imposing their vision upon the land as was done in the 1980's.

Doak, Tom. The Confidential Guide. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 1996.
This guide is Doak's personal account of the golf courses he has personally visited as a budding golf course architect. Originally, this guide was published underground as a recommendation list for the eyes of his friends only. He rates each course on the strength of its architecture and his scale is set up to finely divide the good, better and best of the courses he has seen. It is a wonderful guide for anyone interested in good golf course architecture.

Donovan, Richard E., and Joseph S.F. Murdoch. The Game of Golf and the Printed Word 1566-1985. Endicott, NY; Castalio Press, 1987.
A bibliography of over 4800 entries, this book is a valuable resource to any collector of golf books.

Dye, Pete. Bury Me in a Pot Bunker. New York: Addison Wesley Publishing Company, 1995.
This autographed copy of Dye's autobiography tells the story behind one of the games most challenging golf course architects. Very opinionated, Pete Dye tells his story from its beginnings in Urbana, OH to the heights his career has taken him in designing several of the world's top 100 golf courses.

Jones, Robert Trent, Jr. Golf by Design. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1993.
This first edition by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. teaches golfers how to analyze a golf hole from a golf course architect's perspective in order to understand how the hole
is designed to be played. His lifetime of experience as both an accomplished designer and player gives him a unique perspective on how to play a course by thinking like the designer.

Klein, Bradley S. Rough Meditations. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 1997.
Klein, a PGA Tour caddy who now holds a Ph.D. in political science writes essays on his lifelong study of golf and golf courses. His rough edge and opinionated tone is enjoyable to read. His Best and Worst award section for golf courses is not to be missed.

Kroeger, Robert. The Golf Courses of Old Tom Morris. Cincinnati: Heritage Communications, 1995.
This numbered and signed edition of 1975 copies (184/1975) is a tribute to the earliest golf course architect and greenskeeper. Kroeger's account of his life and the contributions Old Tom Morris made as a player, architect, and greenskeeper capture the essence of this great man.

Macdonald, Charles Blair. Scotland's Gift - Golf. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1928 (Reprint Ailsa, Inc., 1985).
Macdonald captures the essence of Scotland's gift by reviewing the early history and discussing the events leading to the founding of the USGA, the rules making body for the game in the U.S.

MacKenzie, Alister. Golf Architecture. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. Ltd., 1920 (Reprint Ailsa, Inc., 1987).
Considered by many to be one of the seminal works on golf course architecture, MacKenzie describes his opinions on golf architecture as a M.D. who became an architect after WW I where he had also became a camouflage expert. His knowledge of camouflage and warfare are still viewed today as his strongest influences as an architect.

MacKenzie. Alister. The Spirit of St. Andrews. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press,
1995.
This text written by MacKenzie in the 1933 was lost for nearly 60 years when it was found among papers that members of his family found. Now published for all to read, it is an account containing insights about every facet of golf from one of the greatest architects of all time.

Moreton, John F. The Golf Courses of James Braid. Worcestershire: Grant Books, 1996.
This numbered limited edition (224/525) describes the courses which one of the great, early golfers designed. The accounts detail the development of Braid's philosophy through his early work, to his "Golden age" and his late work.

Outerbridge, David E. Champion in a Man's World. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 1998.
Outerbridge captures in this biography a woman before her time, and an example to all of us. Marion Hollins was a person who exemplified humility. Her legacy is two phenomenal golf courses in California. The Cypress Point Club is always ranked as 1 or 2 in the world and Pasatiempo, a public course not far from the private Cypress Point, is consistently ranked in the top 100 U.S. courses. Both of these courses are lasting tributes to her contributions to golf and to the great golf course architect, Alister MacKenzie. Her disagreement about proper green placement with MacKenzie at the 16th hale of Cypress Point led to the most photographed golf hole in the world.

Peper, George. Golf Courses of the PGA Tour. New York. Times Mirror Books, 1988.
This is a comprehensive description of the PGA tour courses complete with maps and a history of each tournament.

Ross, Donald J. Golf Has Never Failed Me. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 1996.
This commentary by one of the greatest golf course architects of all time captures the essence of this great man. His dedication to his trade and sport will never be equaled. He is by most accounts the most prolific architect of all time credited with hundreds of golf courses. He is most known for Pinehurst #2 where the 1999 U.S. Open will be played.

Shackleford, Geoff. The Good Doctor Returns. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 1998.
This is Shackleford's fourth book, a fictional account of famed golf course architect Alister MacKenzie who comes out of hiding to work with a modern architect to bring his last great course to life.

Shackleford, Geoff. The Captain. Santa Monica: Captain Fantastic Publishing, 1996.
This signed and numbered limited edition (536/1200) is the first to examine the philosophy and life of one of the world's greatest golf course architects, George C. Thomas, Jr. Other than his golf course designs, he is also well known as a champion rose breeder whose varieties are still prized today.

Sinnette, Calvin H. Forbidden Fairways. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 1998.
This book captures the contributions to this great game of an often forgotten group in this game- African Americans. From the slave who hit a ball while his master wasn't looking to the young phenom named Tiger, Sinnette chronicles the fight to open this games most hallowed halls to people of all colors.

Strawn, John. Driving the Green. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1991.
Strawn manages to capture the dust and dirt of a golf course construction project. His descriptions of every detail in the building of a golf course bring the magic of a large project like this to life.

Thomas, George C. Golf Course Architecture in America. Los Angeles: Times Mirror Press, 1927 (Reprinted Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 1997).
This book is considered another of the seminal works on golf course architecture. Thomas wrote this book during a great boom in golf course construction. His insights about all facets of the construction process are still regarded as basic tenets to consider when building a golf course. Particularly his thoughts on adapting a course to the land are still important even in the age of the large, powerful earthmoving equipment.

Tolhurst, Desmond. St. Andrew's Golf Club - The Birthplace of American Golf. Rye Brook, NY: Karjan Publishing, 1989.
This book looks at the history of America's oldest golf club, St. Andrew's from its founding in 1888 until its 100th anniversary in 1988. This book entertains the reader with stories from its storied past, and hints at the games future at its 100th birthday party. The book chronicles the club from a three hole course to its current 18 hole layout, and from its assistance in founding the USGA and hosting the first national amateurs and open tournaments to its quiet, pastoral setting today.