Author: Mark Frost

Publisher: Hyperion Books

Pub. in: September, 2005

ISBN: 1401308120

Pages: 496

Measurements: 7.8 x 5 x 1.4 inches

Origin of product: USA

Order code: BA01164

Other information:  

Imagine at this year's (2005) U.S. Open at Pinehurst, an unknown amateur from North Carolina who grew up nearby the resort and caddied at Pinehurst No. 2 won his local Open qualifier, somehow gets himself into a playoff with Tiger Woods and Vijay Sihgn, and actually wins it all. This may give you the slightest inkling about what Francis Ouimet accomplished against Harry Vardon and Ted Ray at the 1913 U.S. Open. Mark Frost's recounting of this remarkable event (along with the lives of its two most compelling participants, Ouimet and Vardon) ranks among the most vivid and compelling writing ever encountered in golf (or for that matter, all of sports).

The early chapters of the book focus on the dire circumstances that almost inadvertently introduced Vardon and Ouimet to the game. Family financial crisis forced the young Vardon to seek a caddying position at a local golf course in Jersey (the British island, not the U.S. state), at which time through trial and error he developed the principles of the modern golf swing (including the overlapping positioning of the hands on the club that has come to be know as the "Vardon" grip). Vardon's steely resolve and determination not only drove him to the top of the golfing world, but also aided him in his successful battle against tuberculosus.

Ouimet's financial straits were not much better than those of Vardon, but as a very young boy growing up across the street from The Country Club in Brookline, MA he was transfixed by golf; enough so that he and his brother built a make-shift three hole course in the woods in their back yard. Like Vardon, circumstances force him into caddying - but the young Ouimet had the by-then successful Vardon as an inspiration for his own fluid swing.

The events leading up to and surrounding the historic 1913 U.S. Open are captured brilliantly by Frost, including Vardon's tours of America, Ouiment's sudden emergence as a force in amateur golf (along with his reluctance to accept an invitation to the U.S. Open because of his worry of getting time off from work), and the unfortunate jingoistic rooting of some of the Open gallery (foreshadowing some of the rude behavior displayed at the same course at the 1999 Ryder Cup). Frost also creates wonderfully vivid images of key golf figures of the time, including the rougish Walter Hagen (who nearly stole the show in 1913), Johnny McDermott (the high-strung defending U.S. Open champ who succumbs to his own bravado), and the marvelous golf writer Bernard Darwin, who sees Ouimet's potential in a 36-hole U.S. Amateur quarterfinal match with defending champion Jerry Travers (in which Francis plays admirably but loses, 3 and 2) and despite his British ancestry finds himself rooting for Ouimet during the climatic playoff.

Best of all, Frost's dramatic writing style leaves the reader on the edge of his seat - even though most golf afficianados are familiar with this story, I think even they will find themselves agonizing over each missed crucial putt and cheering every magnificent shot made by both of the protagonists. Whether you care deeply for the game of golf or are looking for an entertaining read, "The Greatest Game Ever Played" will resonate within for a long time.

(From quoting Gary Popovich, USA)