Case 7
- Chess and Golf
I.A. Horowitz and P.L. Rothenberg, The complete book of chess, New York: Collier Books, 1963. SPRH 794.1 HOR
Hotere may have learnt how to play chess back in Mitimiti or when he was at St. Peter’s Māori College. No matter where he learnt it, he enjoyed playing. His enthusiasm for chess led to games played by correspondence; one opponent was Barry Lett of Lett Gallery, Auckland. In Dunedin, a frequent opponent was the short-story writer Ted Middleton (1925-2010). Such was Hotere’s liking for the game, he had – as remembered by printer and poet Alan Loney in July 2024 – a wood set copied from one in the British Museum, which was arranged for him by his friend Wal Ambrose, who worked at the Museum. These two books on chess are from Hotere’s library.
I.A. Horowitz and P.L. Rothenberg, The complete book of chess, New York: Collier Books, 1963. SPRH 794.1 HOR
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Samuel Reshevsky, How chess games are won. London: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, 1962. SPRH 794.159 RES
Samuel Reshevsky, How chess games are won. London: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, 1962. SPRH 794.159 RES
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Alberto Korda, photograph of ‘Che Guevara golfing’, Havana, Cuba, 1962. SPRH 972.91 CHE
In 1952, Hotere took up golf, a game that remained a constant – like art – throughout his life. Indeed, his brother Moss once said: ‘He’d have been a great golfer if it hadn’t been for this art caper’ (O’Sullivan, 55). Golf-related materials are strewn through his collection: ripped up golf cards used as book markers, a photograph of his presence at Atlanta watching Tiger Woods win the USA Masters in 1997, rule books from the prestigious St. Andrews Golf Club, golf books, and a complete golf card that register his scores and handicap. Perhaps the pièce de résistance is Hotere’s copy of Alberto Korda’s photograph of Che Guevara clutching a golf club, used in a match against Fidel Castro in Havana in 1961. A romantic figure to many in the 1960s – including Hotere – Guevara (a former caddy) supposedly played to lose against his revolutionary boss.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Rules of golf. 28th edition. St. Andrews, Scotland; The Club, 1996. SPRH 796.35202 RUL
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Rules of golf. 28th edition. St. Andrews, Scotland; The Club, 1996. SPRH 796.35202 RUL
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John Feinstein, A good walk spoiled. Days and nights on the PGA tour. London: Warner Books, 1997. SPRH 796.35264 FEI
John Feinstein, A good walk spoiled. Days and nights on the PGA tour. London: Warner Books, 1997. SPRH 796.35264 FEI
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St. Clair Golf Club, Dunedin, NZ Mens and Ladies Card. Dunedin, c.1990s. Inserted in Dun Mihaka and Diane Prince, Whakapohane 1990. Wellington: Te Ringu Mangu Ltd, 1989.SPRH 345.0274 MIH
St. Clair Golf Club, Dunedin, NZ Mens and Ladies Card. Dunedin, c.1990s. Inserted in Dun Mihaka and Diane Prince, Whakapohane 1990. Wellington: Te Ringu Mangu Ltd, 1989.SPRH 345.0274 MIH
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