News-Info-Alerts

Re: Golf & War

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: November 29, 2003

"Bullets, Bombs & Birdies: Golf in the Time of War  
General Golf

  
Clock Tower Press announces the February 2004 publication of Bullets, Bombs & Birdies: Golf in the Time of War, a look at the odd connections between the links and the battlefield that has existed from the game's beginnings a millennium ago on up through the war in Iraq.

Best-selling golf historian Dale Concannon reveals a history that will be of interest to aficionados of military history, golf history--and all lovers of a good story well told.

Most histories of golf skip over wartime years as if the game was completely abandoned for the duration: Concannon instead shows how over centuries of conflict, dedicated players of the Royal and Ancient game have let nothing--not mortar shells, the threat of gas attacks or even the lack of a real course--get in the way of a round of golf. For example:

* In 1457, with national defense hinging upon widespread mastery of the bow and arrow, the King of Scotland banned "gowlf" because his subjects were spending more time on the local links than they were at archery practice.

* Inside the German prisoner-of-war camps of World War II, allied servicemen made clubs from scrap metal and balls from pinecones wrapped in old shoe leather, and improvised games where hitting into the rough meant risking machine gun fire from the guard tower.

* As the Vietnam War dragged into 1973, President Richard Nixon sought advice beyond what he heard in the capital and turned to an old golfing buddy. Whatever the president decided, he should "go for the green," counseled a diplomatic Arnold Palmer.

With wit and heart, Bullets, Bombs and Birdies: Golf in the Time of War illustrates, across generations, an indomitable spirit to play--and to fight--to win.

About the author
Former PGA professional Dale Concannon is a contributor to countless golf publications. His other books include the Sunday Times best-selling biography of Nick Faldo, Driven, The Ryder Cup, Golf: The Early Days and Extreme Golf.

© 2000-2003 iseekgolf.com Pty Ltd (ABN 89 096 508 495)"