Finegan Wins USGA Herbert Warren Wind Book Award


James W. Finegan's "Where Golf is Great: The Finest Courses of Scotland and Ireland" has been named the recipient of the 2006 United States Golf Association's Herbert Warren Wind Book Award.

"Where Golf is Great" celebrates the rich tradition of golf in Scotland and Ireland. A noted golf writer, Finegan describes more than 150 courses through Scotland and Ireland, detailing their rich history and charm. Well-known courses like St. Andrews, Gleneagles and Royal County Down are featured, as are many unheralded courses such as Brora in Scotland and Ireland's Carlow.

Accompanied by Laurence Lambrecht's stunning photographs, "Where Golf is Great" is the ultimate travelogue for the golfer. In addition to course histories and factoids, Finegan adds insight into the best places to stay and dine after a day on the links.

"For 40 years, I have believed that Herb Wind was without peer among American golf writers and that his masterpiece, 'The Story of American Golf,' is the single-best golf book, from either side of the ocean, ever written," said Finegan.

"My book on the courses of Scotland and Ireland was actually inspired by two of Wind's most memorable New Yorker pieces, "North to the Links of Dornoch" in 1964 and "The Greens of Ireland" in 1967. It is safe to say I will forever be in his debt."

The Herbert Warren Wind Book Award is the top literary prize awarded by the USGA. Established in 1987 and renamed in Wind's honor in 2006, the award recognizes and honors outstanding contributions to golf literature, while attempting to broaden the public's interest and knowledge of the game of golf.