Creating Classics

This book, voted "GOLF Magazine"'s number 1 golf book of 2009, is a lavish, full-colour essential addition to any golfer's coffee table, featuring Sky Sports' golf commentator Bruce Critchley and five-time Open champion Peter Thomson. 'The real test of a course: is it going to live'? This was the maxim of arguably the greatest ever golf-course architect - Harry Shapland Colt. Having designed or influenced the layout of many of the world's most famous courses - Muirfield, Pine Valley, Wentworth - Colt's creations provide an enduring, pulse-racing test for today's golfer. "Creating Classics" tells the fascinating story of this golf visionary. From Colt's early years at Rye and Sunningdale to his partnerships with the other great architects of the early 20th century, the book embraces the phenomenal designs that emerged from this Golden Age of course construction. For golfers passionate about challenging courses steeped in character, this spectacular book lets players discover the rich heritage of their favourite golfing turf. Colt's definitive 18 holes, as chosen by golf's most distinguished commentator Bruce Critchley, and a foreword from five-time Open champion Peter Thomson, accompany stunning photographs and wonderful personal tales. This book will enlighten all lovers of the game about a special group of courses with unparalleled pedigree and a common bond - Harry Colt.

Peter Pugh is a businessman, company historian and former golf addict, with memberships at Royal Lytham and Royal Worlington (two of Colt's courses). His other books include The Magic of a Name, a three-volume history of Rolls-Royce, and two titles in Icon's famous Introducing series, on Margaret Thatcher and John Maynard Keynes.