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(Still waiting on that one) Science fiction? Prophecy? The ultimate golfer’s fantasy? It took more than a century, but now an astonished world is rediscovering this strange Victorian curiosity.
1st Internet publication ever! Start reading now
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Man predicted TV, bullet trains — in 1892 19th-century golfer another Nostradamus 1892 book of forecasts sold for $2,240 Headlines like these blasted around the earth in the dawning days of 2005. The cause of all the excitement? An odd little Victorian literary gem, Golf In The Year 2000, or What We Are Coming To. Written by a mysterious 19th-century Scottish golfer named J. (or Jay) McCullough, using the pseudonym "J.A.C.K.," it also predicted the advent of golf carts, golf professionals and international golf competitions. The book chronicles the tale of one Alexander J. Gibson, who falls into a deep sleep in 1892. He awakens 108 years later into a world, where, among other wonders, women dress like men and hold top positions in society. They also do all the work while the men play golf full time! Gibson finds that his beloved game of golf has changed radically, too. He has to adjust to the existence of driverless golf carts, golf clubs that automatically register one's score and jackets that yell "Fore!" whenever the wearer begins to swing. He also watches (via a television-like device that works through an elaborate array of mirrors) a golf competition between Britain and the United States, much like the Ryder Cup which began in 1927. He finds there's one thing about golf that hasn't changed: making excuses for poor play. "The same old excuses, I thought. Among all those inventions, surely they might have got something new in that line." Gibson's adventures in the year 2000 include riding in an underground tubular railway, which people call the tub. He also reads about a new London-to-New York speed record of two hours and 32 minutes, registered by an underwater bullet-type train. A $2,240 Novelty The big news in the real world of January, 2005, was that someone had paid £1,200, or $2,240, for a first edition of Golf In The Year 2000.
Espinola owns one of the largest collections of golf memorabilia in the world. Although he is in the process of selling that collection, he was quoted as saying he couldn't resist buying "the odd thing" at auction. Rachel Doerr, golf specialist for Lyon and Trumbull, said the bidding interest in the book "took us a bit by surprise." Book Makes Online Debut Although original editions of Golf In The Year 2000 are rare, the book has occasionally been reprinted in facsimile form. No one, though, has made it available to the vast audiences of the World Wide Web—until now.
And so, here you are, happy Web wanderer. Pour yourself a snifter of brandy (or a glass of "whisky and potash," the preferred potable of the book's main character), pull yourself and your computer close to the fire, and settle in to enjoy GOLF IN THE YEAR 2000, OR, WHAT WE ARE COMING TO |
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Home All original text and graphics on this site, as well as the particular layout and arrangement of text, graphic, and HTML elements, are ©2005-2006 by Steve Smith. All rights reserved: Neither this site nor any portion thereof may be copied or republished without the express consent of Steve Smith. |
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The rare volume came from the library of golfer Alan Walker and was sold by Edinburgh, Scotland, auctioneers Lyon and Trumbull. The successful bidder was an American named James Espinola.
