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Al Barkow, award-winning golf author and historian, dies at 93

Legendary golf journalist and historian Al Barkow has passed away at the age of 93. A pioneer in golf media, Barkow began his career in 1963 as a writer for *Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf*, covering the iconic 1963 Hogan vs.

Snead match at Houston Country Club. Over six years, he rose to become the show’s co-producer, blending his deep knowledge of the game with a sharp storytelling instinct.

Beyond television, Barkow authored 12 books, including *Golf’s Golden Grind*, a definitive history of the PGA Tour, and *Gettin’ to the Dance Floor*, which won the USGA’s inaugural Herbert Warren Wind Golf Book of the Year Award in 1986. His later works, like *Sam: The One and Only Sam Snead* and *The Upset*, delved into the careers of golf’s greats, while his instructional collaborations with Hall of Famers Billy Casper and Ken Venturi further cemented his legacy.

Barkow’s career spanned seven decades, from caddying in Chicago to qualifying for the 1971 U.S. Amateur, reflecting his lifelong passion for the sport.

Recognized with honors such as the PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism (2005) and the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association’s Linc Werden Award (2007), he was celebrated for his ability to capture the game’s history and human stories with unmatched insight.

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