It has been a long but rewarding journey for author Jim Boyd, who celebrated the release of his new book, Life, Death, and Resurrection of a Golf Course: Mangold Country Club to Zanesville Jaycee Public Golf Course, with a book signing at Ohio University Zanesville’s Campus Library. The event was held on the evening of July 7, 2026.
The book beautifully captures 150 years of Zanesville Jaycee Public Golf Course history and is illustrated by 50 local artists, including Mary Ann Bucci, who created the cover. Other contributing artists as named in the book are Allen Cottrill, Alexia Lorentz, the late Alice Schille, Allison Weeks, Ann Hollingsworth, Bill Bird, Robert “Bob” Grayson, Cathy White, Chad Kettlewell, Crystal Fuller, Danial Michel, Dawn Tonneman, Debbie Johnston, Dianne Wilson, Dianne Boyd Gustler, Dick McBride, Elaina Hodge, Grace “Wilson” Goggin, Grant Rogers, Haleigh Salmons, Henry Hollingsworth, the late Howard Chandler Christy, Irene Baron, Jadelyn “Jay” Zakany, Jessi Fuhriman, Jill Beebe, Jocelyn Shockley, Kelly Wiler, Kirby Minosky, Kurt Drier, the late Leslie Cope, Lila Gibson, Linda Graham, Marcie Boyd, Marcie Shumway, Martha Pollock, Monica Crawford, Phillip Wilson, Rick Wisecarver, Ryleigh Lawhorne, Ron Cole, Sandy Booth, Shelby Spilker, Shilo Wilson, Steve Shackelford, Todd Budine, Trinidy Dunlap, the late Mary V. Vici Taylor, Yan Sun.
“It’s been several months since it was done and off to the printers and stuff. I’ve had a lot more time to do different things,” explained Boyd. “Before, it was juggling writing and juggling artists for a year. It was nice meeting a lot of new people”
Leading up to the release and signing, an art show featuring the original artwork used throughout the book’s pages has been on display at OUZ. The gallery has been open since June 1st and will remain open until the end of July. Artwork spanning all types of mediums was included. Some of the displayed works are priced to sell.
Over 120 initial copies of the book were printed; several of those went to the artists and donors as a thank you for supporting the project.
“The next run will be here in a couple of weeks. We’ll have 50 more. We’ll hold those. We’re trying to find a permanent place to have them,” said Boyd. “Somewhere where people go regularly.”
Life, Death, and Resurrection of a Golf Course is a 207-page, full-color, hard-cover, coffee table book that celebrates Zanesville’s history, the history of the Zanesville Jaycee Public Golf Course, and the abundant local art community.
Boyd explains, as part of a message to readers included among the last few pages, “This book is the culmination of my research into Harry Mangold, The Mangold Farm, Park, and Country Club, The Zanesville Junior Chamber of Commerce, Harold Mizer and his family, the Bowmans, Logan and Mitch, and the events and golfers that created the golf course. It is a story of hard work, death and sorrow, community support, rebirth, and fulfilling the life of a public golf course.”
Copies of Life, Death, and Resurrection of a Golf Course can still be obtained by making a $50 donation through The Muskingum County Community Foundation’s website, mccf.org/JayceeGolfBook. Donations cover printing expenses.
FEATURED PHOTO CAPTION: Jim Boyd stands in front of a painting of his father and mother with his family. The artist who created the portrait was Yan Sun. | PHOTO: Lynete Dotson
