There’s a new golf book recently out and it has received great acclaim. “One for the Memory Banks” by Luke Reese explores the people, the courses, and the stories of the game we love from across the pond. Read our interview with the author and buy the book for yourself or as a gift! NCGA Travel Insiders receive $10 off the cover price.
To purchase, use code ‘NCGA’ at www.thememorybanks.com for $10 off the cover price. Enjoy!
Q. The main character in the book, for the record, is a real person—who would you compare him to?
A: The main character in the book is an elder Scotsman named Allan Bond, nicknamed Bondy. He is a cross between Sean Connery, Arnold Palmer and Winston Churchill. Witty, charming and strong-willed. He was everyone’s favorite playing partner.
Q: Why should people read One for the Memory Banks?
A: George Peper, the dean of golf editors, said it is “part travelogue, part journey of discovery, part combat story, part love story…” I hope you read it, laugh for most of the book, then cry. Then ask yourself a few questions. Should I play more golf with the people I love? Is there any golf trip with my best friends I’ve been dying to take? Am I missing the chance to build “one for the memory banks.”
Q: What have reviewers said about One for the Memory Banks?
A: I’m humbled and honored, but we have been incredibly fortunate to have Hall of Fame reviewers comparing it to Hemingway, Twain and Golf in the Kingdom. One called and said it was one of his favorite golf books of all time. Before the reviews came out, I was just happy that my 89 year old mom liked it. She read it twice, by the way.
Q: Your good friend Bondy is quite a character! What was one thing you learned from him that you can share with prospective readers of your book?
A: He started every round by saying , “here’s one for the memory banks…” he would add something witty to that. We all loved to hear how he would set the tone for the round with his preamble. Life is short. Make the most of it.
Q: For the reader who has not played golf in the UK or Ireland, what courses should be on their first trip?
A: Impossible question. Too many great courses. I might suggest that the reader look at the courses we played in One For the Memory Banks, and play those. Take the book with you to the U.K. You’ll see every place that Bondy got the better of me…and that happened a lot!
Q: What course haven’t you played in the U.K. will be your ‘next up’ after Covid?
A: I have not played a few of the really remote courses. I’m dying to play a nine hole course called Durness golf club. It is north of north in the Scottish Highlands. Rugged. Beautiful. Bring supplies.
Q: In the book you detail several instances of playing in “adverse conditions.” What was the worst weather you played in overseas?
A: Bondy and I have played in absolutely miserable conditions. We huddled in a bunker in a snow storm at Western Gailes. Eight of us once made temporary shelter behind a gorse bush at Royal Portrush in rain so hard, it hurt. I have only walked off a course one time. The rain was so solid that puddles formed on the sandy soiled greens. Not easy to do. Bondy and I went in, and ate lunch, then came back out and finished the round.
Q: What is one thing you learned because of golf that helped translate into your business success with Wilson Sporting Goods, Peter Millar, and Kjus?
A: Play it as it lies. Accept reality and move from there. One of my heroes, Tom Watson apparently used to relish a bad lie by saying to his caddie, “watch this!” Don’t complain. Tell the truth. And whatever you do, never stop trying to win the hole.
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