Helpful Score: 1
Billy is a 16 year old who's come to Forth Worth with his dad after the death of his mother.
His dad's a gambler, and a golfer, and a cowboy and a ladies-man also he's ex GI and the Korean war is going strong. But this is Texas and its summer and Billy has hopes of becoming a caddy at the prestiguous Colonial Coutry club and possibly meeting Ben Hogan local legend in residence.
When Billy's dad loses all their money gambling then re-enlists in the service leaving Billy at the local YMCA fending for himself, this book portends to be bleak but this was a simpler time, when presidents still had time to play golf and times were good. Billy concentrates on the positive and there's plenty of that. Particularly the attractive grand daughter of one of the clubs more affluent and eccentric members.
If this book were a movie it would be The Flamingo Kid meets Legend of Bagger Vance with a little of the Bishop's Wife thrown in.
The perspective of a poor boy among the wealthy in Eisenhower era America. With legends such as Ben Hogan and John Bedemus haunting the pages amid lush green manicured fairways, stately pecan tree hazards and lucky golf clubs found in mysterious circumstances makes this a meditation on the Zen of Golf and now-gone way of life. Add in angels or are they ghosts or are they imaginary golfing buddies?
Anyone familiar with the era or with the game of golf will find this one appealing and those that appreciate a good coming of age story will appreciate it all the more.
His dad's a gambler, and a golfer, and a cowboy and a ladies-man also he's ex GI and the Korean war is going strong. But this is Texas and its summer and Billy has hopes of becoming a caddy at the prestiguous Colonial Coutry club and possibly meeting Ben Hogan local legend in residence.
When Billy's dad loses all their money gambling then re-enlists in the service leaving Billy at the local YMCA fending for himself, this book portends to be bleak but this was a simpler time, when presidents still had time to play golf and times were good. Billy concentrates on the positive and there's plenty of that. Particularly the attractive grand daughter of one of the clubs more affluent and eccentric members.
If this book were a movie it would be The Flamingo Kid meets Legend of Bagger Vance with a little of the Bishop's Wife thrown in.
The perspective of a poor boy among the wealthy in Eisenhower era America. With legends such as Ben Hogan and John Bedemus haunting the pages amid lush green manicured fairways, stately pecan tree hazards and lucky golf clubs found in mysterious circumstances makes this a meditation on the Zen of Golf and now-gone way of life. Add in angels or are they ghosts or are they imaginary golfing buddies?
Anyone familiar with the era or with the game of golf will find this one appealing and those that appreciate a good coming of age story will appreciate it all the more.
Although this was a novel with golf as the theme I enjoyed that it had a good story to go along with it..good kid does well in the end...
An unexpected treat! Billy Boy is coming of age in 1951, recently suffering the loss of his mother and hitting the road with his wild and reckless father. His father passes his love and skill for the game of golf to Billy, and soon Billy finds himself trying to make his own way on the greens of a ritzy country club.
I had no expectations at all when I began this book, but was quickly charmed by Billy, his determination and his take on things. Every character was necessary and well drawn. Like I said, an unexpected treat!
**** 1/2 Four and a half stars!
I had no expectations at all when I began this book, but was quickly charmed by Billy, his determination and his take on things. Every character was necessary and well drawn. Like I said, an unexpected treat!
**** 1/2 Four and a half stars!
I enjoyed this book, even though I am not an avid golfer. Pretty good story line and vivid characters.
A plain fun read, feel-good story, especially if you are a fan of Harvey Pennick's Little Red Book (co-authored by Shrake).
