Golf Books #248 (The Way it Was)

While the press invariably referred to Bobby Verwey as ‘Gary Player’s brother-in-law’ throughout his long career, Bobby’s own hard-won golfing achievements deserve acclaim, as this autobiography, co-written with his partner Nina Naude, makes clear.

The Way It Was is a candid, first-hand look at what it was like to be a professional golfer between the 1950s and the late 1990s. Bobby Verwey was one of the true pioneers of professional golf, and he details the life of the players during those early years, when they would drive across America for an average of six or seven hundred miles a week for about seven months of the year in order to get to the next tournament.

Everyone played with a passion and dedication, even though the money was, by modern standards, derisory. Bobby relates the many ups and downs of his life, with most of the highs relating to his family – he is the father of three sons, all committed golfers. He talks about many of the key matches of his career, in particular his victory in the 1991 British Senior Open.

Bobby also discusses his controversial and complicated relationship with his famous brother-in-law, which has inevitably had an impact on his personal life and professional career. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the many amusing stories of the colourful characters Bobby has met and played against through the years and all over the world. With a Foreword by Peter Alliss.

Publication date: September 15, 2016 (source)

About the Author

The 58 year-old author of The Way It Was, Nina Naude, is the life partner of the golf pro Bobby Verwey whom this biography was written about. They both retired to Ramsgate, Kwa-Zulu Natal, about three years ago, where they are enjoying a sea view, wonderful climate and trips to the many game reserves. Having listened to all his stories over a period of time, she decided that it will give closure to so many things that have happened in his life. Partly about the complicated relationship he had with Gary Player, his brother-in-law, but also all the humorous, sad and unheard of stories about golfers and what happened over a forty-year period. With the help of freelance editor Lea Jacobs, who wrote the SA soccer star, Gary Bailey’s biography, the editing was done and the book became a reality. Nina Naude has traveleld extensively and her love for books and the written word has given life to this book and helped to put Bobby’s memories on paper. She has written a few short stories in the past, but not much else. She also had her own gardening column in a Cape Town newspaper a few years ago. She is in the process of opening her own photographic studio where she will express her love for people and children in another form. Apart from her two children, it will be one of her biggest achievements to see a book she has spent so many hours on, on the shelves. In the process it will also give Bobby Verwey true recognition for what he has done in the golfing world.