April 26, 2024 

Dear Exmoor Members and Families,

I am pleased to announce that a new Exmoor history book, The Spirit of Exmoor—Celebrating 125 Years, is officially going to print. Our publisher, Larry Hasak of Legendary Publishing, has produced history books for some of the most storied clubs in the country, including Oak Hill CC, Newport CC, and the Country Club in Brookline, MA. In Larry’s words, the Exmoor History Book is “truly unique and will be highly regarded in another 100 years.” The author of this monumental effort is Exmoor’s very own Don Holton.

While the history book project formally began in 2019, this story begins in 2010 when Don became the Club’s Historian. Working with the History Committee, he spent the better part of a decade volunteering a tremendous amount of time, unearthing and piecing together the Club’s history, and then organizing all the photos, artifacts and stories into what are now The Donald R. Holton Archives. With the archives in place, Don began work on the book in 2019, two years before the Club’s 125th anniversary. This book is the culmination of all of Don’s efforts, made even more significant because of his battle with ALS over the past several years. Don’s contributions to the Club, of which this incredible book is only one example, place him as one of the most consequential members in the history of Exmoor. We all owe Don a huge debt of gratitude for his perseverance in completing this book, and for his tremendous passion for uncovering Exmoor’s rich history.

In commissioning this book, the intent of recent Exmoor Boards was to have a lasting and complete account of Exmoor’s history as a club, from its founding to present day. As a club with a rich history, it is important for both our long-standing members as well as more recent members to have an appreciation of Exmoor’s past. Moreover, we endeavored to deliver a book to our membership that all members could be proud of both in content and production quality. Undertaking such an effort is a club-wide initiative and accordingly all members will be charged $225 on their June statement and will receive a copy of the book in July.

To mark this accomplishment, we have chosen to produce a number of limited-edition copies of the book. Proceeds from these editions will be earmarked for the History Committee, allowing for the acquisition of important replica trophies and other items, supporting Don and the History Committee’s work. Two limited-edition options are being offered. The first option will include a slipcover for the book with an embossed, gold-foil version of the logo on the front, and a personalized vellum page within the book for $1,000. The second option includes a clamshell case for the book that features the embossed Exmoor logo on the cover and a personalized engraved name plate with edition number on the inside cover. Copies of this edition will be offered at $3,000.

Slipcover edition concept

Personalized vellum insert example

Clamshell edition example with personalized nameplate

Limited-edition purchases will run through The Exmoor Foundation, allowing donated funds above and beyond the cost of the book ($225) to be considered a donation and therefore tax-deductible. All proceeds will be placed in a special History Committee account within the Foundation that is distinct from scholarship initiatives.

I hope you agree with me that these limited editions are a fitting tribute to both Exmoor and the incredible efforts of Don Holton. Purchasing a limited edition of this special book, with proceeds earmarked for Exmoor history, will allow you to be a steward of Exmoor, assisting in securing meaningful pieces of our history, and provide you with a unique and enduring record of the Club. If you have any follow up questions or would like to place an order for a limited-edition copy, please contact me through our GM, Eric Hogan at: [email protected]. 

Sincerely,

Tom Van Vuren

Vice President

Exmoor Country Club  |  700 Vine Avenue  |  Highland Park, IL 60035

exmoorcountryclub.org |  847.432.3600

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