Invited to speak at the anniversary of the Chicago Open, Jack
Handley returns to the exclusive Midwest course where he caddied as
a young boy. Now a respected and elderly historian, Jack recounts
to the assembled sons and daughters of members he once knew the
historic summer of 1946 when Ben Hogan visited the club to play in
their famous PGA golf tournament.
At the time, Matt Alexander was the young club pro--Jack's idol,
his dear friend, and a talented player with a velvet swing.
Caddying for Matt, Jack oftentimes reined in Matt's reckless play
as together they dissected each hole in preparation for Matt's
attempt to qualify for the Chicago Open. But a secret romance that
began between working-class Matt and Sarah, the daughter of the
club president, threatened to disrupt their training--and their
friendship.
Shortly before the Open, on a momentous late afternoon,
fourteen-year-old Jack found himself caddying a tense practice
round between Matt Alexander and Ben Hogan. In between golf swings
and cigarette breaks, Hogan spent time with the impressionable
Jack, teaching him far more about life than about golf.
Jack, thrilled by Hogan's presence at the country club but mindful
of his own friendship with Matt, found his loyalties were divided
when it came time to caddie in the Open. In a series of
events--both poignant and tragic--Jack's decision on whom to caddie
for became the pivotal moment of the summer, and perhaps his
life.
The summer of 1946 was a time of heightened emotions for the young
teenager, and the Chicago Open itself was a moment of truth for
Jack Handley. Retelling the story at the anniversary, he relives
the golf matches--and reveals to his audience thehuman side of the
iconic Hogan.
" The Caddie Who Knew Ben Hogan "is filled with stories about this
golden era of golf and the legendary Ben Hogan. It is a bittersweet
novel about golf and growing up, and the strangers we meet along
the way who make all the difference in our lives. Advance Praise
for "The Caddie Who Knew Ben Hogan"
This novel achieves something remarkable. . . . The two fictional
marathon golf contests . . . are presented with such narrative
skill, such compelling detail, and such evident love of the game
that they are transfixing. John Coyne has managed to employ golf as
a lens through which aspects of Midwestern daily life in the 1940s,
of thwarted love, of social class, are revealed with stark and
unsettling clarity.
--Norman Rush, winner of the National Book Award for "Mating"
The imagined anecdotes involving Ben Hogan ring true. A great job
by John Coyne.
-- Curt Sampson, author of" Hogan" and" The Grand Slam"
Don't play golf myself. The only two balls I ever hit was when I
stepped on the garden rake. But I can tell you that John Coyne
captures the skill and magic of fellow Texan Ben Hogan in a helluva
great story.
--Kinky Friedman, next governor of Texas and author of "Texas""
Hold 'Em" and "Cowboy Logic"
John Coyne has come up with a winning golf tale. Anyone who loves
the game will have trouble putting down this intriguing story,
which skillfully mixes fact and fiction. Coyne gives us tragedy,
triumph, and Ben Hogan all in one. For those who enjoy a good read
about golf, it's perfect!
--J. Michael Veron, author of "The Greatest Player Who Never Lived"
He so cleverly tells this original tale that you will be shocked to
learn thatthis is merely the product of his rich imagination.
--Geoff Shackelford, author of" The Future of Golf "and" Grounds
for Golf"--Jules Alexander, photographer for "The Hogan
Mystique"
A must-read not just about the game of golf, but also about the
game of life.
--The Professional Caddies Association
John Coyne knows golf and golf history, and he understands the
intricate workings of the human heart. Anyone who loves golf--and
many readers who don't know a five-iron from a free throw--will
appreciate his skill and be happily drawn into this fine
story.
--Roland Merullo, author of "Golfing with God"
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