Book Review – Darren Kilfara’s, A Golfer’s Education

I picked up this book with the Old Course on the cover at Powell’s Bookstore in Portland, Oregon several years ago and it is a terrific read. This young man takes a year off from his Harvard studies to enjoy St Andrews University for a year with the primary focus on golfing St Andrews courses along with studying history. He delves into the university and student atmosphere, the town and examines all the St Andrews courses including the Old. He also plays other Scottish golf courses and gives his analysis and history of the regions. He likes Machrihanish, Machrie, Brora and Cruden Bay. Interestingly, Carnoustie is not a favourite. Darren hated playing off the Old Course mats during the winter months. Although written in 2001, the content is applicable today. It took me back to my grand days at Queen’s University (A historic, Scottish university in Kingston, Ontario). Although playing Glen Lawrence in Kingston was no Old Course at St Andrews!