Cook, Kevin 1953–

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Cook, Kevin 1953–

(Kevin Graeme Cook)

PERSONAL:

Born January 13, 1953.

ADDRESSES:

Home—NY. Agent—James Gill, PFD, Drury House, 34-43 Russell St., London WC2B 5HA, England.

CAREER:

Writer, editor. Previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, GQ, Details, Vogue, Men's Health, Men's Journal, and Golf Digest; served as senior editor for Sports Illustrated, starting 1997; executive editor of Travel and Leisure Golf; and editor-in-chief of Golf; served as a sports-radio host in New York for two years.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Golf Writers' Association of America Feature-Writing Award, 1998.

WRITINGS:

Tommy's Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf's Founding Father and Son, Gotham Books (New York, NY), 2007.

SIDELIGHTS:

Kevin Cook is a New York-based writer and editor who has contributed to a variety of periodicals, including Sports Illustrated, GQ, Details, Vogue, Men's Health, Men's Journal, and Golf Digest. He also edited both Sports Illustrated and Travel and Leisure Golf and was editor-in-chief of Golf, where he raised circulation to 1.4 million readers during his tenure in that position. Over the course of his career, he has worked with such talented athletes as Jack Nicklaus and writers of the caliber of Gore Vidal. In addition, he has made guest appearances on both television and radio as a golf analyst. Cook's first book, Tommy's Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf's Founding Father and Son, tells the story of two key figures in the game, both of whom were four-time winners of the British Open. Cook thoroughly researched the lives of the two Morrises and puts to rest a number of myths concerning their careers. Partly because the book includes details about other members of the Morris family, Tommy's Honor has broad appeal to all readers interested in lively biographies, whether or not they are familiar with golf. Cook's research took advantage of the many books, some dating from the nineteenth century, written about the Morris family and their golf games. He used periodicals and newspapers of the day to round out his vivid portraits. The result is a book that provides readers with a fascinating look at the story of two men vitally important to the game of golf and to Scottish history, as well as a look into the Scottish way of life during the period. Bill Ott, in a review for Booklist, commented that ‘Cook shows how golf, though quickly claimed by the aristocracy, had its roots in the working classes.’ John Wagner, writing for the Cybergolf Web site, wrote: ‘This is a great biography and exceedingly well written. The characters are so alive in the story.’ Bob Weisgerber, in a review for Golf Today Online, called Cook's effort ‘an absolute gem, definitely one of the most readable books written on the subject of golf in the last decade. Kevin Cook … has done the world of golf a big favor by focusing on the unmatched Father and Son duo."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, April 15, 2007, Bill Ott, review of Tommy's Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf's Founding Father and Son, p. 16.