20 Years of Water Under The Bridge

[JackRussellTerror]

"After four years of waiting since the release of Links 386 Pro, Links LS 1997 Edition (or Links LS MS-DOS) finally graced computer screens in the fall of 1996. With the promise of totally immersing a player in their favorite game, Links LS, or Legend in Sports, hit the mark. "

this year is the 20th year anniversary when Links LS '97 was released in the fall of 1996.........being the September spring of 1996 Down Under. I bought it way back then, and like many many others have done.....never looked back. A wonderful 20 years of my life, having bought my first PC then............just so I could play Links LS '97 (on a Pentium 133) !

thanks for the ride ! ........

[BruceWallace]

I have all versions, on my shelves, and I do distinctly remember getting Links LS 1997. I can't believe it has been 20 years already.

I started playing when "Links The Challenge Of Golf" came out. It must have been around 1992.

[Bassmaster]

I'm with Bruce except for I think I started with LS1999. Can't remember if I have Links97.

[GOLFGEEK1]

I 've got Links 98 and up on my shelf. Used to ask for the current version for Christmas every year Then came Christmas 2003 and I think Santa Clause forgot about me ever since

UPDATE I just found my MSGOLF discs as well!!! (3.5"flopppies)

[rwoodworkr]

It's funny. Links and its preceding golf games have been the one constant in my life through 2 wives (and 2 mother-in-laws), 3 homes, 3 business locations, 3 kids (no grandkids yet ), 5 dogs, switch hitting irl golf (from right handed, to left, and back to right), the rise and fall of Tiger Woods, hair and then no hair, and numerous other ups and downs. Links, I think I love you.

[B118C]

Ha ha ha, good input, rwoodworkr. Like that as I can relate to some of that, too. 1 wife, 2 kids, 1 grandkid, retired from a 32 yr career, 3 dogs, also switch hitting irl golf (from right handed, to left, and back to right), watched Tiger from right before he turned pro & wonder if how he'll do in October, from some hair to less hair and now I buzz it, ha ha, and the many ups and downs in life.

I believe my brother had the Links 386 Pro and showed me Firestone and Harbour Town on it back in 1997. Then we both received Links 98 for Christmas of 97 and he gave me a 5 course CD to add into that first game. Then the fun began. Even though I don't play as often as I used to in tournaments, I get in some occasionally or get in an occasional fun round with my brother when we hook up. Still enjoy this game and the beautiful courses that I've added from Links Corner into my course library.

[JackRussellTerror]

It's funny. Links and its preceding golf games have been the one constant in my life through 2 wives (and 2 mother-in-laws), 3 homes, 3 business locations, 3 kids (no grandkids yet ), 5 dogs, switch hitting irl golf (from right handed, to left, and back to right), the rise and fall of Tiger Woods, hair and then no hair, and numerous other ups and downs. Links, I think I love you.

hahaha yes, very clever reflection Rick
I can relate to the "hair and then no hair" and have also grown into a jittering frustrated MESS........all those missed slopey putts

here is my Links'97 from 1996...........
Everything is in fairly pristine condition except for a tear or two at the box top, and a scratch or two on the CDs. CDs !
I still run Links '97 today in DOSBOX.........love the FOG !

IMG_1594 (1024x768) (640x480).jpg (230.31 KB) Viewed 23404 times

[KunkleMan]

Have been hooked on Computer golf since designing my home course on the early Jack Nicklaus Edition. Graduated to Links LS shortly afterwards and haven't gone many days without my "fix" since. Regret not having the patience to use the Links designer, but certainly appreciate those that do and have created many great courses.

[FixAmer1st]

I'm like Jack. I spotted a Links LS while browsing around a computer store in 96 also and bought it. I had a Radio Shack computer, the first one available to the public, and immediately was hooked. When Links 386 was released I was FORCED ( ) to go out and buy a new computer so I could play it and have ever since.

I, at one time, had EVERY Access release of links games and courses and continued on when MS bought them out.

I had a wall shelf that had them all lined up in order of their release.

When my wife and I moved to Kentucky ten years ago to a smaller house, she made me get rid oj them. I have wished ever since that I didn't let her talk me into doing it and I still had them.

One thing she could never do is persuade me to stop playng Links.
Jerry

[JackRussellTerror]

great memories Jerry, thanks for sharing

[rwoodworkr]

This is OT, but looking at your profile, Jack, what the heck kind of [censored] hiking do you do?

[JackRussellTerror]

short day hikes Rick......out and back. 90% on-track. varying from 1 to 7 hours in total. Mainly bu$hwalk to get "somewhere" in the bu$h to take a scenic photo shot.

and also off-track when playing IRL golf..........after i've sliced into the scrub

never do overnight hikes tho.....heck, animals at night give me the creeps bbrrrrrrrr !

[rwoodworkr]

Sounds great. I get it now...bu$h walks. I thought maybe the censorbot was hiding the word nude, which for your type of hikes might be a little painful.

[JackRussellTerror]

I thought maybe the censorbot was hiding the word nude, which for your type of hikes might be a little painful.

nah, i don't *ahem* "hang-out" with the noode bu$hwalking crowds.
Altho, even tho i could well imagine that a noode bu$hwalk would be nice 'n cool, Stinging Nettles can be very spikey !

one famous group - The Fat Canyoners - do INDEED bu$hwalk our famous Blue Mountains here, just west of Sydney........in the noodel LOL.

https://fatcanyoners.org/2014/03/09/nude-blue-mountains/

HA ! whatever floats yer boat..........

[Slattery]

I'd forgotten about the fog haha. They should've kept it in Links 2003.
I have come back to Links recently after a 10 year lay off and absolutely love it.
Playing regularly at Tigercats Club and Gameranger.
I started with Links 386 and used to ring into the Computer Sports Network using dial up all the way from Australia to play in tournaments.