Matchless

Acclaimed golf author and historian Stephen Proctor tells the story of the rise of women’s golf in Britain and the U.S. through the rivalry that developed in the 1920s between Joyce Wethered and Glenna Collett. 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'

' A generational "life and times" of women's golf. What we have here is not mere game narrative of major championships, but sportswriting embedded in a larger cultural contest'

' 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 '

' 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 '

' 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! '

' The story of trailblazers and disrupters on both sides of the Atlantic . Women's golf, amateur and professional, would be in a far different place without their courage, passion and prowess'

' An eye-opening treatment of the world's greatest women golfers , of their early struggles for equal treatment and of the truly matchless golf they played. Impressive, humbling and a joy to read '

' Stephen’s work as an author is exceptional — meticulously researched and told with a compelling narrative thread. Matchless is no exception '

' Matchless is an exceptional read but it will also serve as a superb reference work that will grace any library of those with an interest in golfing history... the level of scholarly research is exceptional '

' Matchless is a stunning piece of work . . .  Elegantly written and painstakingly researched, it deserves every award it will surely win '

Stephen Proctor has served as a senior editor at The Baltimore Sun , The San Francisco Chronicle and The Houston Chronicle . He is an avid golfer and has spent the past decade studying the history of the royal and ancient game. He is the author of Monarch of the Green (Shortlisted for The Telegraph Sports Book Awards 2020 Biography of the Year) and The Long Golden Afternoon (shortlisted for the Sunday Times 2023 Sports Book Awards for Best Sports Writing, and the USGA Herbert Warren Wind Book Award) and lives in Malabar, Florida.