Now Available: Long-Awaited Tom Simpson Biography

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One of the more brilliant and fascinating characters in golf architecture finally has been revealed in a new biography.

Fred Hawtree and Donald Steel are listed as the authors though I know there were many fine contributors, and Rhod McEwan is the publisher. I have purchased Simpson and Co. and will review when I have received the book.

Here is the purchase page.

From the description.

Whereas many famous golf architects have been reluctant to divulge their trade secrets, Simpson was a glorious exception. His views are an educational catalogue of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’. Without them, a biography published half a century after his death may have proved impossible.  An engaging, multi-talented figure with a perfectionist’s streak, he was one of a generation who had to adjust to the disruption of two World Wars. As a result, there were more prolific golf architects but few whose legacy has a more enriching influence.

Simpson was involved in many courses around Europe, one way or another, and these are some of the jewels: Cruden Bay, Royal Aberdeen, Royal Porthcawl, Rye, Hayling, Ashridge, New Zealand, Muirfield, Huddersfield, Sunningdale, Woking, Liphook, St Andrews, Chantilly, Fontainebleau, Morfontaine, Deauville, Royal Antwerp, Liege, Spa, Louth, Ballybunnion and Zurich etc.

Ken Brown tweeted this teaser: