The most exciting and enthralling thing about researching early golf history is uncovering things that maybe others haven’t. The ‘remarkable find’, the ‘lost treasure’. It may not float everyone’s boat, nor represent someone else’s idea of fun, but for me the thrill of the hunt is compelling. Enough for it to become obsessive.
My passion is Cornwall and early Cornish golf history and for five years I have been following leads to discover a rich heritage of Cornish golfers, who were just like the hundreds of Scottish emigrants who made their way in the world and spread the game of golf. In most cases, no-one has made the connections before.
Perhaps it matters little. Yet it offers a wonderful picture of past communities and a shared heritage.
Several years ago I watched a great film, “The Dig”, starring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes & Lily James, about the discovery of a buried Anglo-Saxon boat at the wonderfully named ‘Sutton Hoo’ (it reminds me so of Westward Ho!) in England. Maybe it was that it starred three of my favourite actors that it held special appeal, but it represented the epitome of story-telling and of audience capture.
It was at one time a story hitherto widely untold, outside of local interest groups. One of personal endeavour, engaging social history and, above all, love and passion.
There is much personal cost, but in the end, hope ensues and triumph prevails.
But there was another compelling, hidden, factor. The true hero, a half-forgotten figure, not crowned with greatness until his pivotal role was discovered years later.
I wonder who that reminds me of?
Jim Barnes, without question. Jack Bennetts, certainly. Amy Pascoe, of course.
Then, how about Gordon Barry, Samson Bennetts, Albert Firstbrook, Albert Whiting, Harry Brown, John Williams and Spencer Courtice?
I must also tell of The Search for Harry Rountree’s Plaque – and the story of The Lelant School of Golf Professionals, alongside Dozens of other Stories.
My ‘Dig’ is almost complete, though there will always be more to unearth.
But, I need to start telling these stories NOW!
Cornish Golfer 