Reminiscences Of The Links

As one of the greatest golf course architects ever, Tillinghast lived and breathed golf from the 1890's through his death in 1942. A native of Philadelphia, he was on hand for every major U.S. tournament of note; as a respected amateur he played in many of the early amateur and U.S. Open championships; he was a founder of the PGA of America; a staunch supporter of the United States Golf Association's Green Section; a renown golf journalist; managing editor of Golf Illustrated; and an advocate for public golf.

It can be said with little argument that the Mecca for all golfers is St. Andrews. And this is where Tillinghast begins his tales. "Once in St. Andrews one revels in Golf." Tillinghast recounts his memories of Old Tom Morris and Old Tom's recollections to him of one of the greatest of all time -- Tommy Morris, son of Old Tom, who thrice in succession won the British Open, and who died of a broken heart when "his girl wife died as their baby boy was born." Tillinghast tells many other stories from his trips to Scotland as a young man, recounting the colorful personages of many of the old timers of golf--Andra Kirkaldy, successor to Old Tom, the great little Ben Sayres, and others.

Tillinghast connects us with Scotland and the earliest golf in Canada and the United States. He recounts the human interest side of the early amateur and professional championships--the first but unrecognized U.S. Open champion, Willie Dunn; the early demise of the first four time U.S. Open champion , Willie Anderson; and the real story behind the fall from sanity of America's first and youngest U.S. Open champion, Johnny McDermott.

We are taken into the gallery and behind the scenes at many of these early tournaments. We are also told many humorous stories on the early Scottish caddies, and the sharp practices of the distasteful cheaters of golf.

We are given unique insights on golf architecture from a historical perspective --how the improved golf ball, "the bounding billie," and matched irons changed the game and golf course design forever; the genius in the creation of Pine Valley; the development of modern golf course design principles in the United States; and much more.

Tillinghast also provides us with his opinion on the top ten golfers of all time. "With the exception of Young Tom Morris, who died before I stalked the links, it has been my rare privilege not only to have observed the play of every man-Jack ... but to have played with half a dozen of the first nine."

The editors - Rick Wolffe, Bob Trebus and Stuart Wolffe - have done an amazing job compiling and researching this book. The photographs and sketches harmonize with each essay effectively bringing the book to life. This is the editors second volume of Tillinghast essays; their first, The Course Beautiful is internationally acclaimed and is currently being translated for Japan. The editors are working on a third Tillinghast book, Gleanings from the Wayside; they are also the authors of Baltusrol 100 Years, the Centennial History of Baltusrol Golf Club.

Our profession (golf architecture) is indebted to the editors for their second volume of Tillinghast essays. It is to be followed by a third title within two years entitled GLEANINGS FROM THE WAYSIDE. (I think the first, THE COURSE BEAUTIFUL is still available.)

Frank Hannigan says in the foreword that golf architecture is an art form requiring engineering expertise mixed with 19th century principles of landscape design. Vision is also required in the creation of golf courses as it was in the creations by Olmstead and other 19th century landscape architects.

Somehow Tilly's essays demonstrate this. Reading them and studying the descriptive illustrations one reaches that conclusion.

REMINISCENCES...... IS A WORK WORTHY OF STUDY AND A PLACE IN ALL OUR LIBRARIES AND AS A GIFT TO CLIENTS AND OTHERS. We urge members to obtain it and if still available THE COURSE BEAUTIFUL. This trilogy will live and could influence our profession far into the future, because the three volumes will be studied by all seeking the upward progress of our profession which must be one of the most intriguing ever practiced. As Rees and Ben indicate, Tilly ranks among its most unique practioners.

-- Geoffrey S. Cornish, Historian, American Society of Golf Course Architects


Terrific, Revolutionary and Astonishing   December 14, 1998
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

The editors, Rick Wolffe, Bob Trebus and Stuart Wolffe have produced their second of a three book series on A.W. Tillinghast. This book, "Reminiscences of the Links" is even richer than the first ("The Course Beautiful") with terrific photographs, revolutionary writing and astonishing admissions. Like Tillie taking a 17 on the closing hole at the Garden City Invitational, the incident regarding Johnny McDermott at Shawnee, or his suggestion that someday Bethpage will rank as one of the great golfing meccas of the world. It may have taken awhile for that prediction to come true but by the time the Open rolls around there will be few who will dispute it. And where else can you find the original routing plan for all the courses and such early photos of play on the Black? Good job, fellas! -- Bob Labbance, Editor for The Golf Collector's Society.