Matchless: Joyce Wethered, Glenna Collett and the Rise of Women's Golf review

Stephen Proctor has become a preeminent golf historian of the age. His previous books Monarch of the Green and The Long Golden Afternoon are seminal works detailing the rise and development of the game of golf.

Matchless details the story of a rivalry and excellence that has not been seen before or since. Joyce Wethered has been a heroine of mine for some time as I learnt of her exquisite prowess in the game. I have been unable to put it down since its arrival.

Any golfer who is described by Bobby Jones as being the best golfer of any gender he had seen with the most perfect swing and knowledge of its application is a golfer I need to know more about.

Her competence and competitive ability allow her to be described as one of the best golfers who have ever played the game.

Her era coincided with the rise to prominence of the suffragette movement that was crucial to women’s right to vote. I was surprised to learn that women over the age of 21 did not receive the right to vote until 1928. This had previously been restricted to those over the age of 30 despite the efforts of women to support troops in the First World War being universally recognised and applauded.

Against my misconceptions I was pleased to find that many women had played an active role within golf since its earliest recorded history. The Caledonian Morning newspaper detailed a women’s championship being played at Bruntsfield as early as 1738.

Old Tom Morris constructed the wonderful Himalayas putting green and clubhouse at St Andrews in 1867. Prior to this, ladies used the caddie created greens at St Andrews to keep them busy whilst they waited for clients. There was concern about the women being subjected to the less than savoury language and antics of the caddies who were waiting for a bag to carry and this led to Old Tom constructing the Himalayas away from the tee box and green complexes.

As an aside, if you ever visit St Andrews Links, please ensure that you sample the delights of the Himalayas. It is a wonderful golfing experience that is open to all to enjoy and is very challenging. 

The book chronicles the development of the game from a women’s perspective, identifying the important and influential characters who provided the impetus for the competitive tours that are now well established.

As anticipated, the level of scholarly research is exceptional. Taking around two and a half years with multiple dozens of books reviewed and referenced, together with hundreds of contemporary press reports and magazine articles, the bibliography and linked sources are superb, offering strands and starting points for additional research detailed by chapter.  

I have found the chapter notes sourcing and referencing the chapter text especially helpful as I am currently researching JSF Morrison DFC, a business partner of Harry Colt, and a one-time winner of the Worplesden Mixed Foursomes trophy with Joyce.

Joyce dominated this event winning eight times with seven different male partners. An extraordinary record that is unlikely to ever be beaten.

The book is presented in a form of narrative history, in a highly readable format. 

As a reader I was drawn in wanting to know more about the events and games they played and how they fitted into my understanding of the evolution of women's golf globally.

The main characters are brought to life and their personalities shine through. Both Joyce Wethered and Glenna Collett were pioneers of the game and women’s golf globally owes them both a debt of gratitude. Bobby Jones described them as two titans of the game of golf. They narrowed the gap between men and women in golf. They popularised the sport and were involved in the first versions of the LPGA and the Ladies English Golf Union.

Joyce was one of the first women golfers to become truly international in her popularity and prowess. Her life after golf is detailed and that provides an interesting insight into her psyche and mental strength. She was a success in all aspects of her life, becoming a highly influential horticulturalist. 

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.

I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a gem.

If you would like to purchase the book, it can be bought directly from the publisher (retailing at £25) by clicking here and it is also available in both Kindle and hardcover on Amazon.

About Stephen Proctor

Stephen Proctor has served as a senior editor at The Baltimore Sun, The San Francisco Chronicle and The Houston Chronicle. A native of Maryland, he graduated from The American University in Washington and was later awarded a John S. Knight Fellowship in journalism at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. 

He is an avid golfer and has spent the past decade studying the history of the royal and ancient game. He lives in Malabar, Florida.

His first book ‘Monarch of the Green’ was shortlisted for the Telegraph Sports Book Awards 2020 Biography of the Year and his 2023 book “The Long Golden Afternoon’ was shortlisted for the Sunday Times 2023 Sports Book Awards for Best Sport Writing and the USGA Herbert Warren Wind Book Award.