The story of the Sullivan County Golf Club is about much more than golf. For generations, the historic nine-hole course served as a gathering place for local residents, a symbol of the Catskills’ rich recreational heritage and a reminder of the region’s golden era as a destination for visitors from across the Northeast. But like many community institutions, the course fell on difficult times, leaving many to wonder whether one of Sullivan County’s most cherished hometown landmarks would survive.

Today, however, the course stands as one of the region’s most remarkable comeback stories. That revival is now being chronicled in A Course Called Home, the new bestselling book by acclaimed golf writer Tom Coyne, who not only documented the course’s resurgence but played an active role in helping make it happen.

“We’ve been here for four years now and it’s very exciting to celebrate the book and to share with everyone what I’ve been writing for the last three years,” Coyne said. “This book is unique because the story is continuing. With my other books the trip comes to an end eventually, but with this book the adventure is just beginning.”

One of the most recognizable voices in modern golf writing, Coyne became captivated by the story of the Sullivan County Golf Club and the community that surrounded it. His passion for preserving the course eventually helped bring together an ownership group that includes actor and comedian Bill Murray, former NFL star Jason Kelce, businessman Mike Madden, Foster Supply Hospitality founder Sims Foster and local developer Chris Monello.

Together, the group embarked on an effort to restore the beloved public course after years of decline, transforming it into what many now view as a symbol of both community pride and the broader renaissance taking place throughout Sullivan County.

“The legendary Catskills region of Sullivan County has experienced a major renaissance over the last several years, and now one of its most cherished hometown landmarks has become a national conversation piece,” organizers said ahead of a special event celebrating the book’s release.

The story has resonated far beyond the fairways of Liberty. National attention has followed the project, including a recent feature on CBS Sunday Morning and a prominent story in The Washington Post under the headline, “The secret to happiness? Buy a golf course with Bill Murray.”

At the heart of the book is the idea that preserving a golf course can mean preserving something much larger — a community gathering place, local history and a sense of belonging. Rather than creating an exclusive destination, the ownership group focused on restoring a public course that remains accessible to local golfers while honoring the character and traditions that made it special in the first place. Coyne’s book captures both the challenges and triumphs of that effort, weaving together stories of friendship, community investment and an enduring belief that small-town institutions still matter.

To celebrate the release of A Course Called Home, Sullivan County Golf Club hosted a special evening featuring a live conversation with Coyne, a book signing and an opportunity for guests to experience firsthand the course that inspired the project. Visitors also enjoyed food and drinks at Otto’s, the popular clubhouse restaurant operated by Foster Supply Hospitality.

As the Catskills continue their resurgence, the revival of Sullivan County Golf Club stands as a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful transformations begin with a simple idea: saving a place people love. In the process, Coyne found a story worth telling and helped ensure the story would continue for generations to come.