Don Berry writes this about “Fore! Gone.”:
“A real page turner. I kept imagining myself playing these wonderful (and even not so wonderful) courses and wishing I had the chance to play some of these lost gems.”
Thanks, Don!
The back story:
About a month ago, I asked Mr. Berry, the head professional at Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park, a 14-time Minnesota Section PGA Player of the Year and Minnesota Golf Hall of Famer, if he would consider reading my book for the possible purpose, if he liked it, of writing a quick endorsement for the book’s back cover.
Berry spent the next few weeks reading the book, and reading greens. He finished fourth in the state senior PGA championship, then second in the state PGA match play (the guy can really play; I am among those who would love to see him take a shot at playing the Champions Tour, though he certainly knows what’s best for his career and life). This morning, he got back to me with an email. It opened:
“I read the whole book, cover to cover – really liked it, easy to read.”
Don added that he can’t wait to see the pictures, and I’m with him on that. Well, I guess I have seen the pictures, but I can’t wait to see how the words and pictures (modern-day photos by Peter Wong, many old photos by those who told me stories about the courses) come together, courtesy of my talented book designer, Tami Dever.
Back to Don’s email … he also offered these comments on “Fore! Gone.”, and I am honored and humbled to relate some of them here, with his permission:
“A morning tee time at Byrn Mawr? How great to play Westwood Hills and look over the fence at MGC! A great day of 36 at Hillcrest and Northwood? I’m in! Oh, how fun it would have been.”
“Reading the book I kept imagining myself playing these wonderful (and even not so wonderful) courses in the ‘20s and ‘30s – a different day, different equipment but how fun!”
A couple of Don’s comments will be melded together, again with his permission, and used as an endorsement on the back cover of “Fore! Gone. Minnesota’s Lost Golf Courses, 1897-1999”. I am deeply grateful for your time and words, Mr. Berry. Now go win a U.S. Senior Open. Or two.
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I believe the Riverside Golf Club in Duluth is just grown over. You can still tell where it was on aerial photos.
Steve, you are correct. I walked part of the grounds earlier this year. There are apparent signs that there used to be a golf course there, but nothing that I would say is verifiably a former tee box or green site. And you’re right about the aerial photos, too — they clearly show the old golf course.
Riverside and Lakewood, another lost Duluth course, are part of a significant chapter in my book. The sites hold special significance to me because I spent 15 years in Duluth, making bogeys mostly at Enger Park. I miss golfing there.
Thanks for your input.