1969 Pine Valley Golf Club Membership; golf Yes gals No

Pine Valley Country Club

1969 list of officers, members, club rules

slim 8vo, 5.5 x 8 inches; 31 pages

Privately printed; 1969 FIRST edition

NEAR FINE original two-tone green cloth cover, pasted paper label with club logo, title in gilt; tiny rubs to spine and corners, pages bright and whole.

We are proud to present to you a significant collection of antique and collectible books from our friends in North Carolina. Be assured that these volumes have received the most thorough scrutiny for rarity and condition, with significant features fully documented and photographed. Great prices for these scarce treasures!

I'll be happy to provide more photos.

Pine Valley Golf Club (founded 1913) was designed by Philadelphia hotelier George Arthur Crump, and consistently ranks at the top courses in the US and the world, "the greatest 18 holes of golf ever created by man." This course was dedicated to Crump's principles: no hole should be laid out parallel to the next; no more than two consecutive holes should play in the same direction; and players shouldn't be able to see any hole other than the one they were playing.

Pine Valley is a private club, non-members playing only when invited and accompanied by a member. With a rustic, simple style, this club is devoted simply to the art of playing great golf. Its membership list is secret, and this book has a tiny circulation. "Once you get here, you stay here." said one long-time member. 'For addicted golfers, it's like going to Mecca." Walking to the first tee, a guest once declared, "This is already the BEST day of my life."

ESPN staff writer Wayne Drehs tell it this way:

"Who plays at Pine Valley, who the members are, where they all came from - it's all kept quiet. Which only adds to the mystique. It's been rumored that just about every active president has flown in at one time or another during his tenure and walked these hallowed grounds. Babe Ruth reportedly played here once, and after making a 12 on the 15th hole, entertained the nearby members by hollering to his caddie, "Hell, I don't need to know where the green is.Where's the golf course?"

The club is male only, although women are invited to play on Sundays.

"When a newly married Jack Nicklaus visited with his wife Barbara on the couple's honeymoon in 1960, Mrs. Nicklaus had to wait outside in a car while Jack played his first Pine Valley round; Jack simply had not known about the men-only rule.  'When friends ask me what I shot there that first time, I tell them 74, but it wasn't a fair test because I was on my honeymoon."

Forty years after the 1969 list was published, it is hopefully acceptable for us to know that one of the club's members since 1946 was the Duke of Manchester. It was most likely the 10th Duke, Alexander (1902-1977), who sold the 50-bedroom family home, Kimbolton castle to pay taxes. Since 1612, it had been the flagship of the family estates, containing Holbeins, Van Dycks, and a 13,000 volume library. The 10th Duke then purchased 10,000 acres in Kenya, a disastrous investment. His second son, the 12th Duke, an equally unlucky businessman, stood trial for fraud in 1985.

We are aware that it is just because of sensational stories like these that the members list is never disclosed. Pine Valley stands in its own incorporated town, with its own police, town hall, and fire department. Doubtless they have their own printing press as well.

Title/Edition: 1969 Pine Valley Golf Club list of members

Author/Editor: officers of Pine Valley Golf Club

Publisher/Date: Privately printed, U.S.A., 1969

Size:  8vo, 5.5 x 8 inches; 31 pages

Illustrations:  none included

Binding: Original green cloth boards, pasted color photo of club logo.

Condition: NEAR FINE; Minute rubs to spine head and tail, and corners. Pages bright throughout, solid.

Cherish and Enjoy!

Interesting document, a secret resource in perfect condition. Great souvenir of the one of the world's finest courses, at an attractive price.

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