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A BOOK covering the first comprehensive story of golf in this country in the past 120 years, has been published. Entitled “Staying the Course,” researched and written by veteran journalist John Kelley, the book with almost 200 pages describes in detail the raw and uncertain beginnings of the sport here in the early days since 1890 up to 2013. It features every facet of golf in the country and, not least, all 85 or so of the golf clubs, whether flourishing or closed down, including town and city clubs, hotel clubs, country districts clubs and courses, those on mines and even on private farms. It also details the achievements of the most successful professionals, whether in tournaments or in other important ways. For instance the first black professional competed here in 1963.
The book’s sections include women’s golf, juniors, societies, top amateurs, incoming tours, personalities, referees, international caddies, selected media and unusual stories.
The foreword is written by Pierre Bechman, the 2013 Captain of the Royal and Ancient Club, St Andrews, Scotland, giving the book a real status.
“Staying the Course” has two main themes.
The first builds up from the original Pioneer Settler Column fighting a bush fire while crossing the Mukuvisi River on September 11t, 1890, almost at the very moment John Ball was winning the Open Championship at Prestwick, Scotland.
The column deliberately included some good sportsmen.
And, precisely 100 years after the first club was established at Bulawayo in 1894, Nick Price almost inevitably won the Open Championship in Britain.
The second theme follows a new beginning when black administrators, sponsors and players took to golf in a big way.
The book is illustrated with over 60 photographs, several not published in Zimbabwe before.
Priced at $35 it can be obtained direct from John Kelley on 885047 or 0712 607809, e-mail [email protected], or at Principle Pro Shops and various other locations, including in Bulawayo.
It took many months of patient research and writing to produce the book, which will certainly be a one-off.
It is not perfect in the sense that a history has to be complete and this was impossible due to records being destroyed and many memories being taken to the grave.
But “Staying the Course” is already being acclaimed as an excellent read and a valuable reference book, covering a comprehensive review of a subject which many in golf thought was impossible.
Online Reporter