LINKS COUNSELLOR
Golf's Cause and Effect A History of Greenkeeping
About the Book
This book represents the first book solely dedicated to those Greenkeepers from Scotland during the1800's that started to enhance golfing grounds; coming to all parts of the world as the growth of this game travelled; many landing on the shores of North America; advancing all aspects of the game; many finding that Greenkeeping was a profession unto itself.
This book gives insights of class distinction; education; remuneration; science; environment and gaining the respect long sought after over many years. You will read of trials and tribulations many Greenkeepers/Golf Superintendents have had. How Television Broadcasters would give credit for the great condition of a golf course to everyone within a club, as well as God, except acknowledging the person who made it all happen. However, when TV brought a picture of putting greens in distress, only the Golf Superintendent would be mentioned.
This is a story/tribute to those early pioneers as well as individuals that have continually upgraded our society; organizations; manufactures; turf researchers/teachers; media and environmental movements that have made golf course of today so pleasurable to enjoy.
"Golf's Cause and Effect is an insider's edit which provides us with a wonderful journey through time and space. Compiled as a labor of love over a lifetime of knowing and understanding both golf greenkeeping and golf greenkeepers, it includes vignettes of people, places and events which cumulatively combine to illuminate, with historic perspective, both what has changed so much and a number of things that haven't. Utilizing a very wide range of often nearly-inaccessible primary source materials, such as rarely tapped club histories, Links Counsellor Lucas charts, almost always be example, the generally unrecognized early co-evolution, of greenkeepers and golf professionals, as well as the rapid evolution of greenkeeping practice, especially in the early 20th century. Wry and occasionally very personal, this construction can be read almost randomly, or as a linear work. There are surprises, and a fair share of wincing, to be gained on every page. It is a joy to see this history and heritage made available in this way."
"Author and Links Counsellor Melvin B. Lucas, Jr. calls his new book, "a book that is not a story but one of many stories." I think Lucas has hit the mark with that comment. Each paragraph seems to reveal something new-- a fact, a practice, a person previously unknown, or a detail. This draws you to the next line, the next page and the next chapter. It will be used as a golf course reference book, and even as a reference for the entire game ofgolf. On a personal note, imagine my delight as I read about one Alexander Monroe, employed by the Aberdeen CC in 1820 as a golf club maker who was assigned at that time to "take charge of the links." My first name was my mother's maiden name and I am descended from the Scottish Clan Monroe in the Inverness area."
"I lust loved the whole history of greenkeeping info (tin cups and feathers, etc.). I'm sure others will enjoy the backgrounds of those involved. Mel, you are contributing something really special--beyond our lives. I really enjoyed the history--it was all so new to me."
About The Author
Melvin B Lucas Jr.
Author
MelvinB. Lucas, Jr., second generation Greenkeeper held positions as GolfSuperintendent at Ft. Devens GC, Ayer, MA; The Garden City GC, NY; Piping RockClub, Locust Valley, NY; The Links at Round Hill, So. Dartmouth, MA. Hegraduated from the two year Turfgrass Management Course at PennsylvaniaState University 1962; University of Massachusetts Turfgrass 10 weekcourse 1963 and became a Certified Golf Course Superintendent in 1976. Served in the U.S. Army 1964-1966.Design and grow-in of Ft. Devens GC; TheLinks at Round Hill. Grow-in of Stonington GC, CT; Rose Hill, GC, RI;Pinehurst GC, RI; River Oaks, CT; Buttonhole Learning Center, RI; Golf ClubKonopiska, Poland; Thracian Cliffs, Bulgaria. Grow-inConsultant for G&G Hauser Golf Architects, Wien, Austria on 17 courses infive European Countries; as well as Zehetbauer Fertig-Rasen, Matzneusiedle,Austria with washed sod use on five golf courses and two football stadiums in 4European Countries; Associated with The McNeil Collaborative, RI; INTERGOLF, NYand Ireland as Grow-In Consultant. Since1989 he has been a golf turf consultant to more than 50 golf courses intwelve European Countries, a speaker at numerous Greenkeeper Conferences, is an Honourary Member of the Slovenian Greenkeepers Association and theAustrian Greenkeepers Association. Prior to the amalgamation of theBritish and Scottish Greenkeepers Association he was an Honouary Member of theScottish and International Greenkeepers Association. He has served within the Green Industry as President ofthe Long Island Golf Course Superintendents Association 1973-74 and 75; NewYork State Turfgrass Association 1978 and 79; Nassau County Co-operativeExtension Agency 1980 and 81; Golf Course Superintendents Association ofAmerica 1980. He was also elected President & CEO of The GolfCollectors Society 1995 and 96.He has received the Citation of Merit andHonouary Member of the New York State Turfgrass Association; Honourary Memberof The Golf Collectors Society and most recently the Col. John MorleyDistinguished Service Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association ofAmerica .Lucas has also been a memberof the Met Golf, Cape Cod Golf Course Superintendents Associations; SUNY Farmingdale Advisory Committee of Ornamental Hort., NY; AmericanSociety of Agronomy; Golf Writers Association of America; United States GolfAssociation Green Section, Museum Committees; 208 Work Study Group, NitratePollution of L.I. Groundwater.
