This book of true golf stories contains sections on such notables as Tommy Armour, Seve Ballesteros, Patty Berg, Julius Boros, Roberto de Vincenzo, Ben Hogan, Bernhard Langer, Nancy Lopez, Dave Marr, Byron Nelson, Jose Maria Olazabel, Francis Ouimet, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Nick Price, Sam Snead, Lee Trevino, and Tiger Woods (among others). The sections are humorously illustrated with caricatures by Pulitzer-prize winning cartoonist, Paul Szep.While not all of the stories were new to me, they are in the great tradition of those who love the game. This is a great book to have and to give as a gift.
My favorite story from the book was one that I had already known, but I was glad to be reminded of it. On Christmas Eve while visiting friends in Fort Worth shortly before her death, Babe Zaharias asked to be taken to Colonial. Once there, she got out weakly wearing pajamas and a bathrobe. She walked over to the green on number two, and lay down. She touched the grass, and said, "I just wanted to see a golf course one more time."
Many of the stories are quite light, and will make for good telling during your next round. Bob Hope asked Jimmy Demaret, "Jimmy, with my game, what do I have to do to be a consistent winner?" "Cheat," said Demaret.
Some of the stories just plain make sense. The short, 107 yard par 3 seventh hole at Pebble Beach can be tough when you have to tee off into a gale. After his companions lost ball after ball in these conditions during an exhibition round, Walter Hagen pulled out his putter and rolled the ball downhill near the green. He got up and down in two from there to make his par.
When the greats meet the greats, interesting things happen. John Jacobs was a fine touring pro who became an even better teacher. One day Peter Thomson (five time winner of the British Open) asked Jacobs to come give him a lesson. Jacobs waited while Thomson got a club. Thomson got into address position, and asked Jacobs what he thought. Jacobs approved, and the lesson was over.
Having known people who threw clubs, I was interested in the firm line that Arnold Palmer's father took when Arnie lofted one over a tree while a youngster. Nancy Lopez's father did the same.
A beautiful moment in the book comes when Arnie tells Tiger to wear the mantle of leadership with pride, passing on his own heritage as a great champion.
After you have finished reading and enjoying the stories, think about how you could share these stories with others to help them enjoy golf and life more. Most of us learn better through stories, and these are very good ones. Be sure to pick your time and place. Many of the stories relate to famous holes, and could be nicely combined with a pleasant round (at say, Augusta). That would be a wonderful use for this fine book.
