“The smaller the ball, the better the writing” has long been considered a truism in sports coverage and Thomson, while best known for his accomplishments as a player, might be the poster child for that particular adage.
For over 30 years, Thomson wrote his thoughts in Age newspaper, a period spanning his playing career and beyond, and although he will always be remembered as ‘Five Times’, it is perhaps his written words that will ultimately constitute his greatest legacy.
The book A life in golf, published several years ago and presenting a collection of his writings and thoughts, is required reading for anyone interested in gaming and follows a long line of essential tomes published over time. (Dr. Alister Mackenzie’s Spirit of St Andrews is another, just like Geoff Shackelford’s The Future of Golf in America.)
Books and writings should be valuable because they make us think and Thomson’s work is particularly fascinating.
Unlike television and radio, two excellent media in their own right, books (and magazines and newspapers to a lesser extent) are permanent.
But for a rare few, like Thomson, Ogilvy, Clayton and others, the game is much more important, interesting and engaging than just a way to collect trophies and checks.
A thinker like Thomson has the chance to flesh out his ideas and thoughts – uncontested – in a written article that, in a world seemingly dominated by social media and its associated knee-jerk reactions (I think young people call them “hot shots”), is something to encourage.
Although he has written much less in recent years, Thomson’s words are eternal and we can find much wisdom in them.
Repeatedly, he addresses every imaginable topic regarding golf, from how to play the game, to where the game is played, to who plays the game, and how the game should be administered.
Of course, good gaming writing is not the exclusive domain of Peter Thomson and his ilk, nor are books the only place to find compelling work.
In fact, as Golf Australia columnist Mike Clayton (who also happens to be one of the best writers in the business) points out, golfers have never had access to so much great content.
Just in the pages of Golf Magazine AustraliaEach month readers discover the thoughts of Clayton, Geoff Ogilvy and Scotsman John Huggan, one of the industry’s top five columnists.
And there’s no shortage of thoughtful, incisive commentary on the World Wide Web, either (Shackelford’s website is a must-read, as are Golf Channel commentator Phil Blackmar and European Tour player Eddie Pepperell).
For many professional players, golf’s only role in life is to generate money.
But for a rare few, like Thomson, Ogilvy, Clayton and others, the game is much more important, interesting and engaging than just a way to collect trophies and checks.
And thank goodness for each of them and their willingness to take the time to share their thoughts with all of us.
The life of Peter Thomson will be remembered at a service commemorating his life at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at 2pm today.
- Rod Morri is an award-winning writer and podcast presenter. He hosts the iseekgolf.com podcast every week. CLICK here to listen.
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