NCGA Member Attempts to Correct History
During a visit to St. Andrews NCGA member Maynard Garrison saw a pamphlet on American history figure James Wilson at an antique fair. Reading the pamphlet in the home of golf invigorated Garrison and ultimately resulted in a passion to set the history books straight.
Wilson wrote the first draft of the constitution creating the phrase “We the People.” Calling that role “too important to ignore” Garrison has put in hours and hours of research and given talks and written a book on the historic figure.
“The ultimate goal is recognition of Mr. Wilson and what he did,” explained the San Francisco GC member. “It is gradually getting done. There have been a number of stories, law review articles and other printings by scholars who recognize Mr. Wilson and his contribution to the creation of America, which is profound. His proposal of a strong but divided central government controlled by the people through frequent elections was adopted.”
Garrison explained that James Madison was the only note taker during the constitutional convention. All delegates swore themselves to secrecy and it wasn’t for 50 years that Madison’s notes were revealed. “The facts of life are that the world hates a vacuum and a lot of skewed information regarding the creation of our constitution existed. Until Mr. Madison’s notes were revealed in 1840 no one knew what Mr. Wilson had done.”
Garrison and his wife Mary own a house one block from the Old Course in St. Andrews and he calls himself a “history buff” who has been captivated by Wilson’s story. The 84 year-old is retired from an illustrious 40-year career practicing law in San Francisco and deems golf an important part of his life.
The R&A member gives talks about Mr Wilson and spreads the word when he can. “American history is too important not to be correct. I invite everyone to review it, consider it, discuss it and analyze it and come up with a correct understanding of the creation of America.”