The Golden Era of Golf chronicles the rise of the sport in America from 1950 to the present by one of the most prolific and respected golf writers today. Until now, no one has made the point directly and unequivocally that the game "invented" by ancient Scots would not have reached its present stature in the world of sports if Americans had never gotten hold of it. Is this to say that Al Barkow is, in The Golden Era of Golf, being a narrow-minded, American-flag-waving jingoist? Not at all. In detailing how America expanded on the old Scots game, Barkow does not deny that the United States more or less fell into certain advantages that led to its dominion over the game - there is the geography, the luck of not having to endure the physical devastation of two world wars, and a naturally broader economic strength. Still, Barkow also makes it clear that there were, and there remains, certain especially American characteristics - a singular energy and enthusiasm for participation in and observation of games, for melding sports with business, for technological and industrial innovation, and by all means democratic traditions - that turned what had been (and would probably have remained) an insular, parochial past time into a game played by millions around the world. America has been golf's great nurturing force, and Barkow details why and how it happened. The history of American golf is not exactly a varnished treatment, a mindless glorification full of nationalist ardor, which is in keeping with the author's well-established reputation, developed over the past 37 years as a golf journalist, magazine editor, historian, and television commentator, as someone who looks with a sharp and candid eye at the game. Barkow has points of view and takes positions on affairs and personalities that impact on every aspect of golf. Is the United States Golf Association, in its restrictions on equipment, playing ostrich to inevitable technological innovation? Hasn't it always? And, hasn't the association always been hypocritical in its definition of amateurism? Was the Ryder Cup ever really a demonstration of pure hands-across-the-sea good fellowship? Why did it take so long for the members of the Augusta National Golf Club to invite a black to play in its vaunted Masters tournament? Barkow was one of the first journalists to research in depth and write about how blacks were excluded from mainstream American golf for most of this century. Here, he expands on an element of history which is intrinsic to the larger American experience and which led to the coming of Tiger Woods. How good has television been for golf, and when and by whom did this most powerful of mediums get involved in the game? Is Greg Norman's celebrity (and personal wealth) an example or the result of modern-day image making that gives greater value to impressions of greatness than the reality of actual performance? Although some curmudgeon emerges in this chronicle of golf, what also comes through, and on a larger note, is the author's passion for the game itself. Its demands on each player's will, determination, and both inherent and developed physical skills are so penetrating, and the satisfaction that comes from just coming close to fulfillment so great, that the manipulations of the golf "operators" - administrators, agents, some of its players, et al. - become mere sidebars. This is golf history with a certain perspective that arises from someone who has lived intimately with the game as a player and writer for at least half the century that is covered, and in particular the last half, on which there is the greater emphasis. It runs the gamut - from feisty, albeit well-considered, criticism to an evocation of the human drama that is finally the most vivid expression of any activity man takes on.

Florida has depended on tourism since the earliest days of American ownership. Entrepreneurs, scoundrels, and visionaries flocked to the Sunshine State to take advantage of the natural resources--land, water, climate, natural beauty, flora, and fauna--to implement their schemes and dreams. The majority of these schemes depended on convincing individuals from northern states to invest in their projects or to vacation in the state. One of the attractions was golf. Every Florida resort of note included a golf course, and golf became the major attraction for winter visitors and part-time residents. This book provides a brief history of golf in Florida, focuses on the men who designed the courses, and provides a guide to the resorts that catered to the game.

Lost Treasures from the Golden Era of Americas Game: Forgotten Heroes and Legends of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, focuses on Pro Footballs forgotten stars from the glorious past. They were outstanding players who somehow slipped through the cracks of immortality and should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio but are not. Its been over 40 years for some legends and its a mystery if they will ever be selected to Footballs highest honor. Many of them have just been forgotten. These men defined a bygone era of Pro Football with their brilliant performances. They were the men who made the game and were some of the most exciting players to ever play Pro Football. Many of these guys were pioneers and trailblazers in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. They were stars who showed us how to play their positions and did it in a professional manner. These players provided excitement and happiness to millions of fans across the country and were part of the most popular sport in the world. Lets hope they receive recognition for their accomplishments and be selected to the Hall of Fame. These heroes and legends were just too good to be forgotten. Fans of all ages will enjoy this book. http://www.starsofthenfl.com/index.html

The Legend of Joe Golfer offers regular recreational golfers the helpful golf tips and suggestions of a personal caddieat ones fingertips. Whether youre an unskilled beginner, or a seasoned advanced-level player, this book will improve the quality of your game. For those Joe or Jane Golfers whove recently purchased the best brand-name clubs and golfing equipment available, visions of perfectly crisp ball striking and precisely placed shots dont immediately appear in play as advertised. Instead, you continue spraying your bad shots all over the courselike a groundskeeper watering the course grounds for the next days play. Chris Kalwa has been there, hes done that, and he feels your bad-shot aches and pains. In The Legend of Joe Golfer, Chris shares his uniquely crafted golf story: a passionate twelve-year journey of endless playing trials and tribulations. This book provides all regular players with a looking-glass through which anyone can relate to and connect with. Youll understand why you got addicted to this ancient and beautiful game, and learn how you can best prepare for and enhance your enjoyment of golf.

This account of professional golf during the Great Depression begins with a look at the "roaring 1920s" and how the game developed during this exciting decade. What a contrast to the Depression era--in which golf at all levels suffered but survived. The Depression years in general are covered and then the professional tour between 1931 and 1940 is examined in detail--the administrators (those who sold the tour to sponsors, the media and the public) and the many wonderful golfers. Much of this is set against the background of how difficult life was for most Americans. The book looks briefly at the post-Depression years (when the U.S. entered World War II) and how the top players fared. Despite the economic difficulties of the era, professional golf survived--largely due to the efforts of players and administrators, not all of whom have been sufficiently recognized by the game and its historians.

Against a dramatic background of desert mountains, the sparkling green fairways of the Coachella Valley have attracted world-class golf tournaments, athletes and dignitaries for decades. In the 1920s, enterprising oil tycoon Tom O'Donnell built one of the first nine-hole courses in Palm Springs, and the area was a hangout for Hollywood's elite by the 1940s and '50s. Bob Hope's namesake PGA Tour event became a mainstay, while Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore, the Marx Brothers, Marilyn Monroe and more frequented over the years. Today, the valley is a renowned perennial golf destination boasting over 120 courses and exceptional resorts. Follow award-winning local golf columnist Larry Bohannan as he recounts the storied history of the game under the desert palms.

Complete with essays and interviews with leading experts, this comprehensive guide presents strategies for creating a golf course routing plan, with coverage of site evaluation, terrain, natural settings, sunlight, wind, finances, psychology, golf strategy and environmental conditions.

Already freaked about your retirement? Not having any idea as to how you should be planning for it? Started to doubt if your last years would really be as golden as they promised?

If you are going to read one book on health care and retirement it should be; Making the Golden Years Golden. Author Dr. Eva Mor, an expert with three decades of experience in the health industry, explains health care, economic and legal issues and offers solutions in layman terms. In today's economy, and with the current short comings of the health system, Making the Golden Years Golden is a rich source of essential information to anyone planning ahead to his or her retirement. Reading this book will help you to establish a step-by-step plan to protect yourself from costly errors and scams, keeping you well, safe, and providing you with the knowledge to carefully invest for the years ahead. This book also covers the multitude of choices for you or your loved one when picking the appropriate residential situations from nursing homes to home health care to assisted living facilities. Making the Golden Years Golden provides the reader with guidelines to navigate federal and state programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. It walks you through legal aspects that will touch all our lives in our later years. There are lifelines out there to help you, and this book is intended to be your guide and compass to point you in the right direction. If there is one thing that you should come away with after reading this book, it should be the fact that our society, although very complex and far from perfect, still offers a very rich life for us as we age. By making the right choices, we all can make the "golden years" truly golden.