Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

I'll refrain from constant comments of how well written this is. It's exceptionally well-written.
The dialect is intense, but not overly so. The character, Kilian and Arie bring my Ohmie and May to mind.

 Comment Written 19-Aug-2023

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reply by the author on 19-Aug-2023

Well, I'm very impressed you're taking the time to read the whole thing. If you decide you'd just like to catch up, I could also just send you a synopsis of Part 1. But have at it, if you'd like. :)

Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

Fun chapter, Jim. I could envision bored sheep herders who probably were younger playing this. Especially to keep sheep in line.

I'm sure you had fun researching these origins and putting your own twist to it.

Side note: have you heard, Mike Trout snd Tiger Woods are building a golf course here in NJ.

Take care, John

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2023

Yeah, they probably had great fun hitting their balls at the sheep and watching them jump! Yes, this has been great fun to research and try to fill in the details. We will get to putting and short game soon.

No, I hadn't heard about that joint venture, but I looked it up. Tiger is a great designer and has done about 10 courses already. This should be great fun for Mike Trout.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Back in time we are. I can't wait to see where you take this. It's interesting.

I sat down in the shade of a black walnut tree and thought about Arie Papin. (down in an extra word, it's understood.

 Comment Written 05-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023

Thanks, Barbara. We'll be here in Holland for a little while yet. Then, who knows?

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

This is so fun! You are teaching us about the origin of the game (or one of the possible origins) and you are even teaching us some techniques about where to hit the ball. I like the idea of the walnuts as they would probably do less damage to a person than a real golf ball! I'm also relieved the that Lardo there prefers to learn to read!

 Comment Written 05-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023

Thank you very much, Helen. We will see a bit of transformation of Lard as the story progresses.

We've got to turn up with another alternative to the walnuts, as they are soon to become too mushy to use.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

What an interesting narrative on the beginnings of what would become the game of golf.

"I normally hit my shots further than Lard" - should it be "farther" since you're referring to distance?

Did golfing really begin with bored shepherds? I have no idea about the history of the game, even though the Golf Hall of Fame is right here in St. Augustine (until they move it, if they haven't already).

This is a really interesting story, and very well told, Jim. Must have something to do with the passion you feel for your subject:-)

Take care and good luck writing this.

Pam

 Comment Written 05-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023

I don't know if it actually began with bored shepherds. Some accounts I have read say that it may have started on the ice during the winter, but was taken to the fields during the rest of the year and played over large distances. I have also heard it said that it began with shepherds. I don't think anyone really knows.

Since I no longer can play the game, this is a good way to stay in touch with it. It's fun for me to fantasize on how it began and developed.

Thanks for your great review, Pam, and good catch on the further/farther.

Comment from JSD

Excellent

As the game developed I was fascinated to wonder whether this was in your imagination or whether you had done some historical research into the origins of golf? Regardless, this is fascinating and very well told.

 Comment Written 05-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023

Yes, definite research involved. You may call this part historical fiction, as I had to imagine how much of it developed based on the few facts I learned.

Comment from Jay Squires

Excellent

Another fun read, Jim. So ... did golf originate in Holland. Even if it didn't, your version, with the walnuts and the kolvs which were used to swat recalcitrant sheep was quite inventive. Of course, you'll have to raise the plot anti. You won't sustain too many new chapters only on the weight of knocking walnuts about. LOL, bring on the pretty little girl!

Jay

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023

Ha-ha! She'll be back very soon.

There is controversy about the "true" beginning of the game, but many cite Holland and the game called kolven or kolv as the earliest version. The name even stuck. It was played on ice during the winter and in the fields the rest of the year. I'll be addressing the matter of the ball soon.

Comment from Kaiku

Excellent

Good story. You've done your research on the begiinings of the game and the nuances it contained. I'll have to take a whack at a few of those hardened walnuts to see what kind of distance modern tools can offer.

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023

I haven't actually tried to hit one. It may fly to pieces on you! I'll be addressing the matter of the ball soon.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

I see where you are going, the invention of golf. You do live and breathe golf, but it isn't harmful to you. It is also great that Killian or Kilian ( you spell it both ways) is going to teach his friend to read and write. It may be harder than he thinks.

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023

Thanks, Carol. I goofed with the 2 l's, it should only be 1.

Since I quit playing, writing about it still keeps me close to the game I love.

Comment from Tom Horonzy

Excellent

Keep this up and the crime lab will be asking for your dna to solve the murder of moi. What? You slay me. Kelvin a game from the Netherlands. I can see what is coming next.

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023

Really getting to you, huh? Great! It's Kilian who is the Dutch boy. Kevin is from our time. I don't know who Kelvin is?? Wait until we get to Scotland, and I'll really confuse you!

reply by Tom Horonzy on 05-Jul-2023

Sure. But you say the game evolved in the Netherlands? Really?

reply by the author on 05-Jul-2023

According to the histories I have read, that's what many believe was the true beginning of the game. There is controversy about it, though.