NEWS BRIEF

New book chronicles
Lowcountry golf

TravelGolf.com Staff Report

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (May 21, 2003) -- "Golf in the Lowcountry, An Extraordinary Journey from Hilton Head Island to Savannah," by golf writer Joel Zuckerman, was released April 2, 2003, according to Saron Press Ltd. publisher Paul deVere. He describes the 192-page hardbound book as an "excellent review of over 30 area courses, a very personal look at professional and amateur golfers who have been involved in Lowcountry golf, and Zuckerman's delightful 'takes on the game' itself." The cover art and illustrations by artist Brenda Turner and forward by renowned architect Rees Jones "add to the richness of the piece," deVere added.

• Hilton Head Island Overview • Pine Valley Golf • Berkeley Hall Golf

Zuckerman, a regular contributor to golf and travel publications both nationally and internationally (including TravelGolf.com), has divided the book into five geographical sections: Hilton Head itself, nearby Daufuskie Island, Bluffton, which is the mainland town just west of the Hilton Head bridge, Beaufort, and neighboring Savannah, Georgia. Within these separate sections he reviews many of the courses of the area, and offers perspectives on players with area ties. These include well known names like Davis Love III, Payne Stewart, Allen Doyle and Billy Andrade. There are also regional favorites such as former tennis champion Stan Smith, who is a 33-year resident of Hilton Head, and PGA Tour veteran Gene Sauers, a Savannah native voted the 2002 Comeback Player of the Year. He also profiles a small cadre of everyday golfers as well. It's a testament to his storytelling skills that you'll enjoy the perspectives on these players as well.

Zuckerman is a member of Golfweek Magazine's "America's Best" panel, and helps to rate the finest modern and classic courses in the nation. While his opinions of the courses and his personality profiles offer a decidedly local perspective, it is the essays in the book that speak to the universal golf experience. One needn't have ever visited Hilton Head, or taken divots in the shadow of the Harbour Town lighthouse, to appreciate his amusing outlooks on the game we all love, and occasionally love to hate. Slow play, the ubiquity of Tiger Woods, non-playing wives, cart path bounces and obsessive record keeping are just a few of the subjects touched upon in these provocative and imaginative essays.

"Golf in the Lowcountry," said deVere, "comes highly recommended to anyone who has visited or plans to visit this golf-rich region. It also appeals to those who enjoy a lovely coffee table picture book. It will also strike a chord with anyone who enjoys the game, is frustrated by it, perhaps curses it, but always seems to come back for more."

Golf in the Lowcountry is available at Greats of the Game Gallery, a variety of Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and Savannah book stores, and on websites, including Zuckerman's own site, Vagabondgolfer.com, Amazon.com, BN.com, and Saronpress.com. For more information, call (843) 363-6697.