The SOCIETY Newsletter #86

Join the Society

The Society of Golf Historians: A New Chapter Begins

Dear Friends,

For years, the Society of Golf Historians has been a gathering place for those who cherish the stories, traditions, and legacies that define our game. What began as a Twitter Account led to a Private Facebook Page to a podcast, a newsletter, and a community of passionate voices, has grown into something much greater: a movement to preserve and celebrate golf’s grand history.

Today, we are excited to announce the formalization of the Society of Golf Historians. With this milestone comes a new membership structure designed to welcome more people into our mission, while ensuring the preservation, education, and storytelling of golf’s heritage for generations to come.

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Why Membership Matters

Membership is not simply about belonging — it’s about becoming part of a living tradition. Your support will help us:

 • Preserve History: Fund research, archiving, and restoration of golf’s historic sites, courses, and artifacts.

 • Support Storytellers: Provide resources for authors, researchers, and historians to share their work.

 • Educate & Engage: Expand our podcast, newsletter, and events to reach a broader global audience.

 • Build Community: Create gatherings, both virtual and in-person, that unite us in our shared love for the game’s past.

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Membership Tiers

We are proud to introduce a tiered membership program designed to fit every level of passion and support:

Traditional Annual Membership $100 Per Year

 - Access to exclusive newsletter content and podcasts

 - Invitations to member-only events and lectures (Annual Meeting)

 - Early access to historical articles

    - Early access to SOCIETY Merchadise and membership discounts when available

Traditional LIFETIME membership option = $1200

Founding Membership $500 Per Year

 - All Traditional Membership  benefits, plus:

 - Recognition as a Founding Member on our website and publications

 - First right of refusal on attending the Annual Society National Meeting

 - Priority registration for travel experiences and events as well as related discounts

    - Lifetime Founding Member  $5500

Executive Lifetime Membership + Experience $30,000

 - All Traditional  & Founding benefits, plus:

 - Lifetime recognition as a pillar of the Society

       - A unique and customized golf trip with me for you and a friend. If interest please inquire on details

Excited to start this new venture with you all!!!

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Where we are growing?

Society Golf History Trips

• Our first ever trip occurred this August when 7 golfers accompanied me to Scotland for a golf history tour of Scotland. A trip that traveled coast to coast playing golf and exploring undiscovered stories in golf history.

• We are looking at future golf trips to Scotland, Ireland and will expand from there.

Regional Society Meetings

• We are starting with our first Annual Society Meeting at Belleair CC this upcoming January. Our goal would be to expand into Regional Meetings at Historic Clubs.

Golf History Network

• Designed to connect golf history experts from around the world. A database to help network and learn from each other.

Golf Auction Platform

• As we expand our reach we will be looking to create our own auction platform.

Education and Consulting

• Are you a subject matter expert. We will be building a platform to connect you to consulting and speaking opportunities.

Creating a Fund to Help Support Authors of Golf History Books

• We are exploring a golf history fund built upon our annual golf auctions to help support authors of golf history books and their pursuit for more knowledge

The Society Land Co

• A seperate but affiliated golf investment company designed to acquire land and/or Golden Age Golf Courses for restoration or renovation.

The Society Golf Co

• A seperate but affiliated golf investment company designed for equity membership in golf clubs to be restored.

Join Us

This is more than a membership — it’s an opportunity to take part in something lasting. Together, we will honor the game’s past, safeguard its treasures, and inspire future generations of golfers to appreciate the richness of golf’s history.

We invite you to join us, at any level, and help us write the next chapter of golf’s remarkable story.

The SOCIETY Merchandise Update

Society of Golf Historians – Limited Edition Vintage Line

At the Society of Golf Historians, we believe golf history should be shared, and celebrated—not just archived. As we launch our first line of merchandise, we didn’t want to simply stamp our logo on hats. Instead, we set out to merge fashion with history—bringing timeless stories of the game to life through carefully crafted designs.

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The Vintage Patch Line

On a very limited basis, we’re releasing authentic vintage golf patches stitched onto modern golf hats. The fit is new, but the look is rooted in history. We’ve partnered with passionate golf collectors who specialize in preserving these rare pieces of memorabilia so that every hat carries both style and story.

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Vintage Cypress Point Patch

Our first release features an original vintage Cypress Point Club patch, sewn onto a modern trucker-style hat—an homage to the kind of headwear these patches were originally meant for.

A special thanks to Robert from Southern California, who entrusted us with his collection of Cypress Point patches. Because of him, a handful of golfers will get to wear a little piece of history.

Quantities are extremely limited—once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. To be frank - we got lucky and found a collector who had been collecting these patches.

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1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont

Few patches capture golf history quite like this one: the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont, where Johnny Miller shot his iconic Sunday 63—still one of the greatest rounds ever played.

This hat doesn’t just nod to history—it wears it proudly.

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Modern Designs with a Retro Look

Inspired by the bold artistry of turn-of-the-century railroad posters, we’ve begun designing original hats that celebrate golf’s most famous courses, holes, and moments. Each design is a limited run, created to look as if it had been pulled straight from golf’s golden past.

The Last Bastion – Shinnecock Hills

In honor of the 2026 U.S. Open, our debut design pays tribute to Shinnecock Hills’ first U.S. Open in 1896—and its most infamous feature, the Victorian-era “Bastion Bunker.” That serpent-styled hazard has long vanished, but this design brings it back to life in a burst of vintage color.

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The High Society Tees – Belleair Country Club

Belleair Country Club is Florida’s oldest course, and home to one of my favorite views in golf. From the 8th tee, perched above the Gulf, you look back on the 7th green—a spot I’ve lovingly dubbed The High Society Tees. Playing from the 8th tee box down to the 7th green creates a bit of a Pebble Beach #7 feel.

This design celebrates Belleair’s character and the stories that still ripple through its fairways.

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Coming Soon

 • New Design Release – Currently in the works, and I have a feeling it will be one of our most popular yet. Stay tuned for the reveal in the coming weeks.

 • 2026 Masters Limited Collection – Three exclusive designs are already in development for Augusta. Pre-orders may open as soon as Christmas.

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Closing Thought

Every hat is more than a piece of merchandise—it’s a keepsake, a conversation starter, and a reminder that golf’s history isn’t just meant to be studied. It’s meant to be lived, shared, and worn.

If you’d like to secure one of these limited editions, please reach out—when they’re gone, they’re gone.

Merchadise question:

We have kicked off our history collection with hats. I am curious if you all would like us to explore clothing - here is an example of a hoodie and the Belleair High Society Tees Logo.

THANK YOU!!!

As always thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. If you enjoy it please consider sharing it with your friends and family.

As you can see we have been busy. The merchandise was born from reader requests, so if you have more requests and comments please let me know. For those who did suggest it- thank you so much - I have really enjoyed designing our retro modern logos.

Yours in Golf History,

Connor T.