Golf Links recounts the dramatic career of Scottish-born golfing pioneer Charles "Chay" Burgess, mentor to three American national champions. Included is the true, untold story of legendary golfer Francis Ouimet - not only his dramatic 1913 US Open victory, but also his great comeback in 1931. Instrumental in Ouimet's accomplishments was the remarkable guidance of Burgess; as Ouimet himself said, "Whatever progress I have made in golf I owe directly to [Chay] Burgess...he taught me whatever I know about the game." The book also presents the struggles of early professional golfers, as they fought for respect from the wealthy amateur golfing establishment. Ouimet's working class triumph began a revolution on the links, by bringing golf to the common man.

(From inside flap)

Since arriving in America from the ancient wind-swept Scottish coast, the game of golf has captured the imaginations of millions. The pioneering work of teaching professional Charles "Chay" Burgess and his pupils helped lay the foundation for golf's eventual widespread popularity.

Immigrating to America in 1909, Scotsman Chay Burgess was both a golf and soccer prodigy with a rare gift for teaching and nurturing young talent. Growing up in a cottage overlooking one of the world's oldest golf courses (in Montrose, Scotland), a young Burgess witnessed the development of Scotland's influential tournament and club scene firsthand. Learning at the feet of some of the game's most revered early masters, Burgess arrived in America to find professional golf subjugated to the whims of the powerful amateur golfing establishment. His roots in Scotland's union-driven working-class inspired him to begin to redefine the role of the American golf pro for his entire generation.

His students numbered amongst America's first golf legends.

Foremost among them was Francis Ouimet, who shocked the nascent American golf community at the 1913 U.S. Open. Arriving at the tournament as a relatively unknown 20-year-old amateur, Ouimet stunned onlookers by successfully defeating some of the game's most renowned players in a tense, electrifying standoff which inspired unprecedented interest in the then-new game.

The culmination of years of detailed research, interviews, and travel, Golf Links contains a thrilling account of Ouimet's victory, along with the story of his triumphant 1931 comeback. Most importantly, Golf Links details Burgess' profound influence on Ouimet as his friend and mentor.

Through the trailblazing footsteps of Burgess and Ouimet, Golf Links traces the development of golf from its Scottish origins to the international sensation that it is today. Complete with class struggles, bitter rivalries, rousing victories, humbling defeats, and cherished friendships, Golf Links is a stirring tribute to the achievements of some of American golf's founding fathers.

"Whatever progress I have made in golf I owe directly to Charlie [Chay] Burgess..." - Francis Ouimet, America's first golf hero

"I have very much enjoyed reading about 'Chay' Burgess. The account of his exploits in coming to America, while golf was in its infancy in the United States, is fascinating." - Ben Crenshaw, Two-time Masters Champion and Captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup Team