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We'd like to offer you our insights into what is going on in the world of golf book publishing and collecting, and to inform you of other events taking place that you may be interested in. Starting with this month, we've initiated the GolfRead.com Newsletter. We hope you enjoy it! We will plan to send out a newsletter about every 1 to 2 months.
Musings by Dick Donovan
I was reading the October 13, 2006 issue of Golf World Magazine a couple of weeks ago and came across an article about Byron Nelson, written by Jaime Diaz. In the article is a quote by Nelson: “You’ll be surprised how little wind will affect the ball if well struck.” This immediately made me think of the time in February, 1992, when my wife Angie and I had the great privilege of spending an afternoon with the legendary Gene Sarazen.
Angie and I were invited for a meeting at Marco Island, with then 90 year old Gene Sarazen. Our gracious host was his daughter Mary Anne. As we motored down from New York state, I thought I would refresh my memory regarding his career, and I was rereading Thirty Years of Championship Golf. I came across an interesting fact about his playing ability, that none other than Harry Vardon commented on. When the young Sarazen was playing with Vardon in Scotland on a par three, he observed Vardon aiming at the bunker left of the green, playing the wind to carry the ball on. Up next, Sarazen used the same strategy and aimed at the bunker. Unfortunately, the ball went dead into the bunker. He said to Vardon. “You sure have funny winds here.” Vardon replied, “Son, the way you hit the ball you do not have to play the wind.” This struck me as, how good was he, and I thought I would bring this up to him. When we met I asked him about the incident and I asked, “What height did you hit it at?” His reply: “about 20 feet.” Some kind of shooting!
Going ahead to July at the Open Championship at Royal St George’s, Sarazen was being honored for the 60th anniversary of his win. While driving back from the tournament, listening to Renton Laidlaw on radio interviewing him, Laidlaw asked him to relate a story of his playing in the UK early on. Lo and behold, Sarazen started his answer... “When I was playing with Harry Vardon on a par three...” Riding in the car with myself and Rhod McEwan was Mary Anne Sarazen. She said, “Hey, that’s your question you asked him back in February.”
It is fascinating to me that here were two giants (Nelson, Sarazen) of the game whose shotmaking was that awesome.
Some Recommended Books for Book Collectors
Golf book collecting is a very personal pursuit and you will never find two libraries alike. It is sometimes helpful to get opinions from a variety of sources on what books are essential for a library. I have listed below a few books which you may find interesting.
- Daniel Wexler’s The Golfer’s Library: a reader’s guide to three centuries of golf literature is an excellent resource for collectors. It offers an opinion on some 400 books, about what could constitute a good collection, also includes information on availability of reprints, and suggested prices. I highly recommend this book. It will be a great assistance for those who haven’t yet decided on a focus for their library, and also has some nice tidbits of information for more avid collectors. The book came out in 2004, so keep in mind the values are a bit dated at this point. This book is in print and available on GolfRead.com for a special price of $18.95.
- For those collectors who prefer the Architecture genre, the new publication Golf Course Design: An Annotated Bibliography With Highlights of Its History and Resources, by Geoffrey Cornish and Michael Hurdzan, is outstanding. This comprehensive work includes a chronology which discusses the evolution of golf course design, architecture, and construction, discussion of literature of golf design, and features an annotated bibliography of Architecture books, with importance gradings and pricing information. This book is in print and available on GolfRead.com in a limited edition cloth for $65, or a trade paperback for $26. Both editions have been signed for us by Geoffrey Cornish.
- The Golfer's Home Companion, by Robin McMillan, is a delightful, wide-ranging compendium of practical information, entertaining writing, and highlights and tidbits about the game of golf. It includes 2 brief chapters dedicated to books, “Editor’s Choice: The Best Golf Books” where McMillan gives honest commentary on his opinions of 20+ recommended books and authors by genre. The other chapter is one I wrote: “The Ultimate Golf Library.” It was an attempt to acquaint the inquisitive golf book reader with what has been written on the game since our initial knowledge of the word “golf” first appeared in printed form in 1566. I offered my opinion on how a beginning collector could go about obtaining a collection. Also, a list of some 35 books and why I felt they should be in a golf book library. This book was published in 1993 and is now out of print, we have a used copy available on GolfRead.com for $35.
GolfRead.com News
- The Game of Golf and the Printed Word 1566-2005, by Richard E. Donovan and Rand Jerris has just come off the press and we are currently shipping all advance orders.
- GolfRead.com will now be carrying the Classics of Golf series of books. This series includes reprints of selected classic golf titles and some original publications. Most of the classic titles are difficult to find and can be expensive, therefore, these reprints offer an affordable alternative for those interested primarily in the content of these classic works. Look for additions to our online inventory over the next several months.
- Gift wrapping is now available for an additional $3.00 per gift wrapped. Your book(s) will be neatly wrapped in tasteful paper. Please specify Christmas, Hanukkah, Birthday or General gift wrapping for either male or female in the comments section of your order, or email us at customersupport@golfread.com for more information.
- We will ship to multiple addresses from a single order to make gift giving easier. Include your request in the comments section of your order with number of books and the ship-to location for each and we will get back to you on the additional cost for this service.
- Reminder: Fall Book Sale continues through Dec 31, 2006. Receive 20% off all full-price new books and 10% off any used or discounted new books (max. discount $50), plus $5 credit towards shipping expense with a purchase of $25 or more. Some books not eligible for discount, this will be indicated in the product description. Please note that the ordering process will not automatically calculate the discount, we will adjust the order and email the new total to you.
- Our office will be closed from November 10th - November 24th. Any orders received during that time will be processed and shipped beginning November 28th.
Upcoming Events
We normally attend selected book shows, auctions, and other golf events during the year. Events of interest in the next few months include:
· November 3-5, 2006 - The Art of Golf Festival & Golf Collectors Exhibition, Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Southern Pines, North Carolina. Exhibits and Trade Show, featuring "Antique Road Show" style appraisals, Awards Dinner and Silent Auction, Exhibits and Trade Show.
· November 12-14, 2006 - GCS Annual Meeting & Trade Show, Suncoast Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. Hickory Golf Tournament, Annual General Meeting, Banquet and Awards, Trade Show and Education Sessions.
· January 25-27, 2007 - PGA Merchandise Show and Convention, Orlando, Florida. Merchandise Show, Educational Clinics, Conferences, Demo Day.
About Us
www.GolfRead.com is the official website for Richard E. Donovan Enterprises. In addition to the books we have available for sale, we also offer an appraisal service for insurance, estate planning and tax purposes, and auction bidding services. For more information, contact Dick Donovan at
Richard E. Donovan Enterprises
305 Massachusetts Avenue
Endicott, NY 13760
607-785-5874
or send an email to customersupport@golfread.com
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