Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Miracle at St. Andrews
If you are a
golfer, or if you just like the game, I suggest you get a copy of
Miracle at St. Andrews, a
novel by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge. Many of you will
recognize the name James Patterson. Almost 400 million of his books
have been sold, worldwide. Peter de Jonge wrote two other books with
Patterson: Miracle on the 17th
Green, and Miracle
at Augusta. I am going to
assume they are also about the game. I can't wait to get my hands on
those books.
There
is a quote from Patterson on the cover of the book that sums up his
feelings on the game. “There's no other sport where somebody who is
average at best can hit absolutely magical shots, on occasion. Most
of us can't dunk a basketball or hit a baseball out of Yankee
Stadium. But on occasion, I've had a hole in one, or hit a fairway
wood to within a couple of inches of the hole, just like Woods, or
Mickelson or Spieth.”
Obviously,
Mr Patterson loves the game. After Sunday's PGA tournament in
Minnesota, he might have added the name Matthew Wolff. The 20 year
old knocked in an eagle shot, on the last hole to win by one stroke
over Bryson De Chambeau and Collin Morikawa. It was his third pro
start.
The
novel is about the fortunes of a golfer named Travis McKinley,
nearing the end of his career. He is playing the Champions Tour, and
he is feeling the heat of the younger players entering the tour. We
are taken to the 16th fairway, and the pressure is on: he
must finish in the top 31 players to retain his card and playing
privileges the following year.
He
has a son in third grade named Noah. His older son, Simon, is an
outstanding soccer goaltender at the University of Virginia, well on
his way to becoming a professional player. His daughter, Elizabeth is
a doctor. Sarah, his wife, has been the foundation of the McKinley
family, especially during the four years that he played on the Senior
Tour.
He
spends a little time with his buddies at his home course, the heads
out to try to regain his card at the Tucson National course, playing
four rounds at “Q” school. As he approaches the green on the
final hole, he realizes he is in a trap, 157 feet from the front
edge, with a nasty lip.
He
tries a career behind the microphone for a golf channel, but
discovers he is just a little too honest, perhaps too brash, for that
life. He refers to himself as a “golf whisperer”!
Late
that summer, the family heads to England to do beds and breakfasts in
a camper van, with their faithful dog Louie. He finds his ancestral
home, tours Stonehenge, catch some scenic bits of Scotland. He
naturally wanted to play at St. Andrews, but the course was closed to
the public, anticipating the upcoming Open. His second choice was
Royal Dornach in the Scottish Highlands. He plays with a local, cards
a 61. Unheard of, it is the course record.
He
plays Loch Lomand, just failing to qualify to play The Open, at St.
Andrews. A little twist of golfing fate allows him to gain the final
spot. He meets with his caddy at a nearby pub, and sets out his
strategy for The Open.
A
really fine literary experience, for those of you who love the game,
for those of you who have spent some time in Scotland.
Miracle
at St. Andrews awaits
you at the library.
James
Hurst
July
8, 2019.
-- James Hurst 613.399.2278 sportslices.blogspot.ca
# posted by James Hurst @ 9:45 AM 
