Golf Heaven

“Pebble Beach: The Official Golf History” captures the heritage and character of an iconic destination.

Tim Sweeney Arts & Entertainment, Golf

In the introduction to his new book, Pebble Beach: The Official Golf History (Triumph Books, 2009), author/historian Neal Hotelling asserts that “no book will ever hold the entire history” of Pebble Beach. If he hasn’t done it in this 250-page volume, no one else ought to try. Filled with historical facts, colorful anecdotes, and detailed accounts from the late 1800s through Tiger Woods’ record-breaking U.S. Open win in 2000, the book elicits fond memories for golfers who have had the privilege to tee up on the Monterey Peninsula and instills a desire to do so in those who have not.

The International Network of Golf named Hotelling’s Pebble Beach Golf Links: The Official History as the 1999 Golf Book of the Year. The director of licensing and special projects for Pebble Beach Resorts dug deeper into the archives for his new book, uncovering more photos from the early years and more facts and figures. Golf course aficionados will delight in the time devoted to explaining the development of the spectacular tracks that populate the peninsula, beginning with the early history of the Del Monte Golf Course, established in 1897.

From there, the author takes us through a time in golf history that seems to get disproportionately farther in the rearview mirror with each passing day. Some of the book’s most interesting tales are on the pages that cover tournament golf through World War II, including vivid tales from national, regional, state, and club championships. Eye-catching photographs of the men and women who competed in those events offer a peek inside the game during that time period. Hotelling also explores the early years and celebrity culture of the Crosby Invitational, now the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on the PGA Tour.

The book also features stunning photography by renowned golf course photographer Joann Dost.

Arnold Palmer, now part of the Pebble Beach Resorts ownership group, wrote the forward, inviting readers who have never done so to “come and make your own history on the storied links.” If you’re one of the people he’s speaking to, reading Pebble Beach: The Official Golf History is like prepping for a grade-school field trip to golf heaven.

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pebble-Beach-Official-Golf-History/dp/1600783007/