Jewel in the Glen: New Ryder Cup Edition

Ed Hodge's superb book about Gleneagles, golf and the Ryder Cup has been updated to include a chapter about Europe's brilliant victory at the Scottish resort last September.

Remember Jamie Donaldson’s wonderful winning wedge almost a year ago? Keen to relive the magic of Europe’s ‘Glory in the Glen’ through a unique portrait of Gleneagles, Scottish golf and the history of The Ryder Cup?

Then Jewel in the Glen: Gleneagles, Golf and The Ryder Cup by Ed Hodge could be just the thing for you!

Europe’s stunning Ryder Cup win under Paul McGinley in Perthshire is celebrated in a fully revised and updated edition of the stylish, hardback book, produced in association with the iconic Gleneagles Hotel.

Paul McGinley swing sequence:

The resort’s official book has been updated to include a new chapter on The 2014 Ryder Cup over The PGA Centenary Course, with McGinley’s side triumphing in style over the US to continue their recent success in golf’s greatest team contest.

Published by Edinburgh-based Arena Sport, an imprint of Birlinn Ltd, the new in-depth chapter chronicles a superb week at Gleneagles complemented with stunning photography. The book, first published in August 2013, has also been fully updated throughout its 14 chapters, with Jack Nicklaus, designer of The PGA Centenary Course, providing fresh comments.

Written by Perthshire native Ed Hodge, a former Gleneagles employee and Scottish sportswriter, the book provides a rich celebration of golf at Gleneagles during one of the most exciting times in the iconic resort’s 90-year history.

Ed, who grew up 10 minutes away from Gleneagles in the village of Braco, used his extensive local knowledge and contacts to trace the history of The Ryder Cup back to that famous GB v USA forerunner match at Gleneagles in 1921 that sparked a rivalry for the ages, intertwining the histories of the coveted prize with its own rich heritage, on and off the course.

Ed interviewed an array of international and national celebrities to complete the book, including Nicklaus, McGinley, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Sam Torrance, Sir Jackie Stewart, Andy Murray, Stephen Hendry and Kenny Dalglish, revealing what Gleneagles and the Ryder Cup means to them while examining the impact that the tournament will have had on the local community and the wider Scottish society, culture and economy.

Nicklaus, the greatest golfer of all time, provides the foreword, with a hole-by-hole guide to the course by Ryder Cup legend, Colin Montgomerie.

Ed, now PR & Media Executive for the Scottish Golf Union after 11 years as a sportswriter in Scotland, also spoke with a number of local personalities for the publication, including former Gleneagles head professional Ian Marchbank.

Nicklaus said: “Gleneagles is among the great places in the world to visit and play golf, and we are delighted The PGA Centenary Course showcased itself and Gleneagles well in The 2014 Ryder Cup matches.”

Ed, who is  also a former Gleneagles caddy, added: “I’m delighted with how well the book has been received since its publication in August 2013 and I’m sure all sports fans will enjoy reading the new fully-updated version.

“The 2014 Ryder Cup showcased Gleneagles, Perthshire and Scotland at its best and it was a delight to work on the new chapter, as well as updating the book throughout to help it stand the tests of time.”

For more information, or to purchase the book, go to http://www.birlinn.co.uk/Jewel-in-the-Glen-new-edition.html