Take a Mulligan – The Old Course is the title of a delightful book just published by William W. (Billy) Oliver, ’64 BBA.
Dr. Oliver, president of Wesley Glen Ministries of the United Methodist Church, uses the old golf course at the Valdosta, Georgia Country Club as a format for sharing stories about famous people and lessons for life.
He has an interesting UGA alumni legacy because his father, two uncles and a first cousin all graduated from UGA. He shares memories of these influential persons especially his father William Wiley Oliver, ’27 AB while growing up in Valdosta.
His uncle, Warrenton Maxwell Oliver, ’27 AB, played football at Georgia and was one of the original guarantors for Sanford Stadium. He was also captain of the Golf team.
Another uncle, John C. Oliver graduated in 1930 with a Bachelor of Science degree, and his first cousin, Jack C. Oliver, ’66 BA was on the SEC championship golf team and also won the individual championship that year. Jack now resides in Valdosta and Hiawasee, GA.
The book includes anecdotes and references to other UGA personalities such as Erk Russell and others.
The foreword for the book was written by Gene McClure, a member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Golf Association, and a member of the Board and past-president of the Georgia state Golf Association.
McClure comments about the people and places mentioned in the book, “These are examples –examples of the good in golf and in life beyond the fairways and putting greens.”
He asks, “Is this a golf book, a history book, a religious book of something else? It is more than that indeed.”
Dr. Oliver was a pastor in the South Georgia United Methodist Conference before assuming the presidency of Wesley Glen Ministries which cares for adults with developmental difficulties.
In referring to the University of Georgia in one portion of the book, Oliver refers to special keepsakes. He writes, “From the time of my birth I always had in mind attending The University of Georgia. My first two gifts, according to my dad, were a T-shirt from Wally Butts, football coach at the university, and a golf club fro my Uncle Maxwell. I loved UGA so much that when my grandmother started dividing her possessions among her children and grand-children, I asked for a small bronze Georgia bulldog which she had on her desk. My uncle gave it to her in 1926 while a student at the University. She had tied a red and black ribbon around the dogs neck. I was thrilled when she gave the dog to me. The ribbon is fading but I wouldn’t replace it for anything.
“I know why this dog was special to my grandmother Belle. In addition to being a gift from her oldest son, three of her four sons graduated from Georgia, as well as, her two grandsons.
“Yes, I was born into a University of Georgia family and a golfing Georgia family as well. As the years went by, I was pretty certain my golfing ability would never reach the level required to play varsity golf at the University at UGA.
“While I was still in high school one day I received a letter from Coach Howell Hollis. coach of the Georgia golf team. Coach Hollis said he wanted me to play for him on the freshman team. He wrote that we would have matches with Clemson. Auburn, Alabama, Georgia Tech, and a few other colleges. I was thrilled to have this opportunity.
At the beginning of each match Coach Hollis gave us three balls. They were all stamped University of Georgia. Now, after 47 years, one ball stamped University of Georgia remains. I didn’t get a letter, didn’t get a jacket, but I have one ball which reminds me that I played for UGA.”
All proceeds from the sale of his book will go to the Wesley Glen ministries. To order, you may write: Dr. William Oliver, 135 Hines Terrace, Macon, GA 31204.
