If Wayne Stiles were a drugged-out, Hollywood star, a book on his exploits might put Bob Labbance’s kids through college. If Wayne Stiles were a highly-inked professional athlete with anger management issues and a record of crime, a tome on his transgressions might put Bob Labbance’s offspring through college. Wayne Stiles is neither of those; he’s a long-gone architect who gave us Taconic Golf Club at Williams College, among many other, golden-age courses. Bob Labbance has given us some 15 books on golf and golf course architecture, among them The Old Man, on the golfing life of Walter Travis;

and Keepers of the Green, on golf course management,

Although Bob is currently working on The Vardon Invasion, an eponymously-titled work on Harry Vardon, he cannot count on seeing these books get his children through college.

Bob suffered a debilitating injury a few years back, slipping off a hopelessly-slick footbridge while golf walking. He battled back with the courage of a Vermonter, only to discover last year that he faced a new battle: ALS. Knowing only that he did not know, Bob looked forward and dedicated himself to finishing The Life and Work of Wayne Stiles. Knowing that it is like all of Bob’s other books is to know that it has been researched with exhaustion, tirelessly assembled, and beautifully appointed with images. How do I know? Well, a small golf course in Hamburg, New York (just south of Buffalo,) called South Shore, provided Bob with an unexpected treasure trove of Stiles correspondence. He shared how much the letters and drawings helped him move forward on the project. When The Vardon Invasion reaches publication, expect more of the same.

At this time of great happiness and great uncertainty, how can one book help? Simple, really. Kevin Mendik, Bob’s co-author on the Stiles book, has graciously volunteered to donate all proceeds from the sale of the book to a college fund for Bob’s children. You can purchase the book from the Wayne Stiles Society website, via Google Checkout. If you haven’t stumbled over the links already, here’s a BOLD ONE.

Bob is sending me a review copy, in thanks for helping with the NoTownGolf website (his professional site), but I’ve already purchased an additional copy. I’d like you all to consider doing the same.

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