Tom Williamson, The Complete Golf Professional - Book Review

Golfshake Ambassador Andy Picken Reviews Tom Williamson, The Complete Golf Professional by Nick Jones

Nick Jones is a retired surgeon, born in Switzerland, working around the world before eventually becoming a consultant at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he was appointed Special Professor in 1999. An accomplished medical author, he turned his hand to his passion of golf especially at Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell).

He has held many roles within the club that allowed him access to its extensive archives, especially in relation to Mr Tom Williamson and his family.

Tom Williamson could be seen to be the most underrated and unrecognised influencer of English and especially Midlands golf in the history of the game.

A bold statement, not claimed by the book, but accurate when assessing its contents. 

I have to confess that Williamson is a hero of mine as I have come to appreciate his design ideas and ethos and also for his simply excellent mentoring and stewardship of his pupils, including Enid Wilson.

I had never heard of Enid until I started to research the golf club at Allestree and discovered that she was a regular visitor as she was a Derbyshire girl born nearby.

I have always thought of Mel Reid as Derbyshire's most successful female golfer but now think that Enid’s achievements overshadow hers. 

She won the British Ladies Amateur Open Championship in three consecutive years. To celebrate her reaching the age of 21, her father, a local doctor, paid for her to make an unaccompanied trip to the USA to play golf. During this trip she came second in the US Open at her first attempt.  

Tom Williamson really was the consummate club professional. 

He was one of the founders of the PGA, later becoming its Captain. He was an excellent golfer in his own right. He held a number of course records and was recognised by his fellow players as a man of great skill and competence. He won the very first professional only tournament in the UK in 1897.

He played in The Open Championship over a period of 50 years and was in the top 10 on six different occasions. An achievement in itself.

Without his influence, golf would not have been brought to the Nottinghamshire area.

He stayed with Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell) and its adjacent Ladies Club for 54 years and some of the tributes paid to him as he was awarded honorary life membership are fascinating to read.

During his years at Hollinwell, he designed over 55 courses around the country and advised on many more. He was also a very capable club manufacturer able to forge his own irons.

It is strongly argued that it was Williamson who devised the system we use today of playing with numbered clubs as opposed to each style of club having its own name or style such as brassie or niblick.

He created the first all-weather golf school in England. This covered driving range innovation was conceived, created and built at Hollinwell.

This book details beautifully the importance of the work and his influence and style. 

Williamson was the model club professional literally setting the standard for all those who followed in his footsteps.

The professionals’ relationship with his club around this time could be seen as master and servant with many not being allowed access to the clubhouse for dining, etc. 

I remember the story of Ben Hogan being honoured with a meal by members at Panmure in 1953 during his attempts to win the Open at Carnoustie. The staff donated post war ration vouchers to enable the purchase of the best quality produce, but he chose to sit with the steward and his wife in the kitchen with an adjoining door open as he knew that the club professional was not allowed in the dining room. 

Williamson, by comparison, was made an honorary member at his club in 1921 and was clearly held in the highest regard by all throughout his lengthy tenure. 

I wholeheartedly recommend anyone interested in the history and origins of Midlands or UK golf to obtain a copy of this book.

It is beautifully illustrated, the archive records of the golf club are fascinating, and the genuine love and passion that Nick Jones has for his club and its history shine through.

This is an overdue tribute to a man who should be better known and appreciated within the world of golf as his legacy is immense.

I thoroughly recommend this book.

Check out https://www.finegolfbooks.com/ for available copies