(WILMINGTON, Del.) – Ed Oliver Golf Club – located on the original site of Wilmington Country Club and serving the local community for over a century – announces the recent biography How He Played the Game: Ed “Porky” Oliver and Golf’s Greatest Generation, written by award-winning author John Riley garnered first place honors for nonfiction biography / history at the National Federation of Press Women’s annual awards ceremony. The annual competition considered over 2000 submissions in multiple categories from thirty-nine states. The biography had earlier received the top nonfiction book award of the Delaware Press Association in March.
The story explores how Ed Oliver rose from the caddie ranks to become one of the leading professional golfers in the world. After winning the prestigious Western Open, he was suddenly pulled into the U.S. Army with an early draft call and would be away from the game longer than any of his tour competitors. After the war he would become a member of three Ryder Cup teams, serve as honorary captain of the 1961 team, and finish second in three major championships. This book portrays more than Oliver’s story. It is a look into how many professionals returned home after serving their country and built the modern golf tour. They could be called, “Golf’s Greatest Generation.”
“Unfortunately, golf history has lost sight of one of its finest. While Porky Oliver is sometimes mentioned by writers and historians, he has never received the acclaim he deserves,” says Riley. “Beloved by fans and fellow players, a 1957 Sports Illustrated profile called him the most popular player on the circuit. His outstanding record will be recalled next month when the BMW Championship comes to his hometown – to the club that gave him his start.”
Ed Oliver Golf Club was built on the old site of Wilmington Country Club, which opened in 1901. All that remains of the original design is a 100-year-old chimney located on the signature 18th hole. John Reid designed the first layout that was later recrafted twice, first by Alfred H. Tull, and later by Edmund B. Ault in 1971. The layout has essentially remained the same since and continues to be an asset for the Wilmington community.
“We are honored to carry Ed Oliver’s namesake and legacy that John Riley described so well in his book, How He Played the Game,” says Mary Leneweaver, general manager of Ed Oliver Golf Club. “Oliver’s perseverance and commitment to the game set the roadmap for Wilmington’s golf community today. We have changed tremendously from the place where Oliver caddied, but his spirit lives on at the oldest course in the state.”
For more information or to order the book, please visit: https://www.olivergolfbook.com/.
About Indigo Golf Partners
Dedicated to optimizing all that the sport and business of golf offers, Indigo Golf Partners is a division of Troon and manages more than 160 golf courses, country clubs and resorts in 29 states. Headquartered in Reston, Va. with regional offices and teams across America, the company subscribes to a #GolfForEveryone purpose. Leveraging over 30 years of expertise, Indigo Golf Partners specializes in full-service property management as well as assistance in specific segments of the golf business. They include modern-day golf and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations, food and beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing, public relations, HOA integration, technology, special events and financial management.
More information: http://www.indigogolf.com, 703.761.1444.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Wooters
Buffalo Agency
201.919.7425
dwooters@buffalo.agency
