Too Much Loft

"Too Much Loft" consists of three well-connected novellas that follow a young man's journey as a caddie, grounds crew member, and golf shop attendant at suburban Chicago country club in the early 1960's. The book will appeal to those familiar with country club life as golfers, social members, management, superintendents, maintenance staff, and anyone who likes a good story.

Part One, Mrs. Peck, chronicles college boy Looper Litton's partnership with a 67-year-old matron as she competes in the D flight of a country club championship that she captured forty years earlier. This novella will particularly engage older female golfers who enjoy the camaraderie of intra-club competition. The personalities revealed will be familiar to anyone who lives or aspires to country club life and enjoys a well-crafted read.

Part Two, Mr. O, details Looper's summer experience while working for a contentious greenskeeper. Still caddying, this time for an international exhibition of female golfers, he is never far from the country club intrigue that consumes his life. Under the iron hand of his supervisor Mr. Olson, Looper learns the ins and outs of golf course maintenance. His views on agronomy, turf care, disease, irrigation, equipment, and country club maneuvering, undergo a dramatic learning curve with the arrival of new assistant superintendent, Jerome Gjertson. Jerome's new age education conflicts with Mr. Olson's old school ways. Part Two will strongly resonate with anyone working in any agronomic capacity associated with the golf course maintenance industry.

As the international exhibition unfolds, pitting Swedish female golfers versus American college girls, Looper finds himself firmly enmeshed in the competitive nature of the tournament.

Part Three, In The Pro Shop, tells the story of Looper's growth. Thanks to his understanding of human nature and popularity with the membership, Looper views country club politics on a heightened level while giving lessons to an attractive member's daughter. With the help of his mentor Billy Sauers, Looper learns to fully comprehends the give and take required to serve and survive the foibles of the country club membership while courting the prospect of romance.

Anyone in private club administration and management, such as members of the National Golf Course Owners of America, the National Club Association, the Club Management Association of America, etc., will recognize and identify with the tribulations and characters who inhabit mythical Spring Willows Country Club.

Michael J. Stott, best known as a swim swim coach and Swimming World scribe, penned his first golf article in 1962. His writings have since appeared in Golfweek, Virginia Golfer and Superintendent News/TurfNet among other golf-centric publications. His caddy credentials include carrying for state champions and competitors in USGA national championships.