Episode 71: Matchless - The Rise of Womens Golf with Stephen Proctor

Stephen Proctor returns to F&F to chat about Matchless, his new book, which charts the rise of formal womens golf from the late 1860's until the 1930's. The title of the book refers to the titanic battle between England's Joyce Wethered and Glenna Collet of the USA in the 36 hole final of the British Ladies Championship of Great Britain in 1929. This Championship was held at St. Andrews where the two premier players of the competed in what is widely considered to be the Greatest Women's golf match ever played.

Prior to a précis on the 1929 final, Stephen introduces us to some of main characters who influenced the evolving game on both sides of the Atlantic as both suffrage and war would present challenges and opportunities to the gane of golf and wider society.

Many thanks to Stephen for joining us again, we do hope you enjoy our chat.

Please find links to Stephen's publisher, Birlinn Books, below where you can order from his back catalogue or preorder his new book

Matchless - Joyce Wethered, Glenna Collet and the rise of Womens Golf
Long Golden Afternoon - Golf's Age of Glory, 1864-1914
Monarch of the Green - Young Tom Morris, Pioneer of Modern Golf

Richard Pennell @ pitchmarks Substack link

Matchless pre-orders (for customers in the USA) are now also available by clicking on the following link - bookshop.org

Many thanks to Stephen for joining us again, we do hope you enjoy our chat.

Episode music supplied under license from Epidemic Sound
Shoreline Serenade - Dye O.1.1

Special Guest: Stephen Proctor.