THE TOUR OR GOLF'S GOLDEN GRIND

by Al Barkow ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 6, 1974

An historical survey of the professional golf tour -- that ""great long caravan. . . the purest of road shows"" -- from the days of Willie Dunn and Willie Park, Jr. and Scottish supremacy in the sport up to its present rule by Nicklaus, Player, Trevino, Weiskopf, Miller and company. Barkow's phantasmagoria incorporates the players and personalities, the purses and promoters which have shaped the game since this country's first tournament (the 1895 U.S. Open) long before the tour even existed. Following the relatively payday-less heyday of Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones, the tour became firmly rooted during the '30's with the advent of steel-shafted clubs and then finally blossomed in the post-war era-of Ben Hogan (""the greatest"" ever), Byron Nelson and still-slammin' Sammy Snead. The author tops off his text by capturing the atmosphere of a recent ""golden grind"" event (top prize: $52,000). Such a large-scaled work is destined to lack the flair of Super Mex and the concentrated intensity of the Golden Bear. However, it's a robust slice which putts around nicely.

Pub Date: Nov. 6, 1974

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1974

Categories: NONFICTION