Matchless

Joyce Wethered, Glenna Collett and the Rise of Women’s Golf

Stephen Proctor author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Birlinn General

Publishing:2nd Oct '25

£25.00

This title is due to be published on 2nd October, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

Matchless cover

'Finally – a book that truly captures the inspiring and uniquely gifted women from a largely forgotten golfing age. A wonderful read from start to finish' – Iona Stephen, Sky Sports presenter, commentator and host

From the moment women began hosting championships of their own in 1893, one of golf's burning questions became whether any woman would ever approach the mythical ideal of playing perfect golf. It took three decades of striving – at a time when Suffragettes were stubbornly fighting for women’s rights – before Joyce Wethered and Glenna Collett delivered an unequivocal answer to that question.

From their first meeting at Troon in 1925, through a decade highlighted by their breathtaking match at St Andrews, the Englishwoman and the American brought out in one another golf so sublime that rare was the player, man or woman, who could perform as brilliantly.

The rivalry between Wethered and Collett generated such widespread interest and respect that it paved the way for the birth of a women’s professional tour. Matchless tells the story of these two incomparable golfers – women who personified the ambitions of their age.

'Finally — a book that truly captures the inspiring and uniquely gifted women from a largely forgotten golfing age. A wonderful read from start to finish'

-- Iona Stephen, Sky Sports presenter, commentator and host

'Brings the wonderful characters of the early days of women's golf to life in a way that makes you want to travel back in time to Turnberry in 1921 to watch the redoubtable Cecil Leitch take on the dashing young American Alexa Stirling. A must read for all golfers and history lovers'

-- Jim Hartsell, author of When Revelation Comes and The Secret Home of Golf

'Matchless brings to life the fierce rivalry and enduring legacy of two titans of women's golf whose brilliance helped shape the game’s golden age . . . Essential reading for anyone who cherishes the history of golf'

-- Connor T. Lewis, founder of The Society of Golf Historians

'Another peerless gem from the best writer of our times. The lives of these golfing luminaries and the excitement they could instil is vividly captured. A triumph from start to finish!'

-- Roger McStravick, golf histo

ISBN: 9781913759193

Dimensions: 234mm x 156mm x 24mm

Weight: unknown

272 pages