Greatest Course That Never Was, The

Taking right off where the previous novel left off, a young attorney now working within Bobby Jones' law firm receives mysterious communications from one who eventually identifies himself as Moonlight.

Turns out this is a connection to Augusta and Jones and Roberts and Pebble Beach and Stedman, and even W.C. Fields.

I have no problems as others with a hidden course being a possibility. It fits perfectly with Jones' desire for privacy and Roberts' power. Perfect place, on a military base, on ocean frontage. Easily could be preserved by the games' best as their own private refuge.

The author's style is very comfortable, yet classy. No foul language which litters much of the other golf fiction and leaves a foul taste in my mouth even for well written golf plots otherwise.

Besides a great read, there is I believe very good golf philosophy handed out, e.g. "Ya' see, lad, it's not 'bout how ya' swing, but whre ya' put the ball. That's what made Mr. Jones so great. Ya' never heard anyone say that a particular course favored Mr. Jones or was well-suited for his game. He studied every course he played to figure out the best way to play each hole. Mr. Hogan was the same way."


(Not) the Greatest Book that ever was   August 29, 2001
 2 out of 4 found this review helpful

Fans (like me) of J. Michael Veron's 1st golf fantasy/mystery, "The Greatest Player Who Never Lived" surely have been anxiously looking forward to the release of Veron's follow-up, "The Greatest Course That Never Was." This second book is okay but not nearly up to the standards of the 1st book. The premise is just so far-fetched; as my friends asked me, "How can there be a great golf course that exists but no one knows about?" Veron's solution to this is puzzle is fairly absurd. I won't spoil it here. Yes, it is fun reading -- IF you are a total golf fanatic, and enjoy things like hearing a recapitulation of every shot the protagonist played in an 18-hole round. As the book prgresses, the plot gets more and more ridiculous and the coincidences more outlandish. It is always a fine line asking the reader to suspend belief and indulge in fantasy; Veron pulled it off with the "greatest player" book but did not with the "greatest course."


Disappointed after reading 'The Greatest Player'   August 24, 2001
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This review may be a bit unfair because I so thoroughly enjoyed Veron's first work. But, I simply felt that for most of 'The Greatest Course' Veron wasn't going anywhere. This book lacked the great balance between suspense and golf history that made the first work so enjoyable. Veron spent most of his time rehashing the same Bobby Jones and Augusta type stories from the first book. The book read more like a narrative history, which would have been alright if the book was not fiction.


FUN   July 14, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Great idea, a bit far fetched, but fun to follow the history and mystery of The National.


wonderful journey   June 2, 2001
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

once again, michael veron has written a story where you can just sit back and be taken through a series of events through the eyes of charley hunter. it is an incredibly easy read that allows you to share in the passion of an old caddie named "Moonlight" and his incredible entertwining with golf history. after reading the first book, i could not wait to read this one. i gave the first one to my brother and as soon as he finished it, my dad, who never reads, got a hold of it and could not put it down. guess what they are getting for father's day? if you are a golf lover, michael veron's books are must reads.