From Fields to Fairways

From retreats for the middle class to playgrounds for the rich, golf clubs have been sources of recreation, fellowship, and business for Minnesotans for more than a century. Minnesotas courses have hosted some of the sport's most dramatic tournaments and legendary playersincluding Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woodsand its clubs have been deeply involved in the development and popularizing of golf throughout North America. From Fields to Fairways is the first book to thoroughly explore the history, architecture, and joie de vivre of Minnesota golf clubs, bringing to life the personalities who founded and shaped the clubs and courses, including forgotten details of how the greatest courses were built. Rick Shefchik highlights the best-known golf architects and the clubs they designed, such as Donald Ross (Woodhill, Interlachen, Northland), A. W. Tillinghast (Golden Valley, Rochester), William Watson (Minikahda, White Bear Yacht Club), and Seth Raynor (Somerset, Midland Hills, Minnesota Valley). He also traces the evolution of the states public courses, which provided affordable playing grounds for the middle class as well as African Americans, who were not allowed to join private clubs. Another chapter focuses on the creation of private clubs by Jewish golfers, who were likewise once excluded from Minnesotas elite golf clubs. Featuring more than two hundred photos from newspapers, clubs, museums, and private collectionsmany of which have never before been seen by the publicFrom Fields to Fairways will be the book of record on Minnesotas illustrious golf history for fans and players of all handicaps.