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The Match is a fantastic read for any golfer, or those who love a great story on sports involving major participants that helped make the game what it is today. This is a telling of a one-of-kind incident that will never happen again.
This book was interesting from a historical perspective. It probably wouldn't be something a non-golfer would appreciate, but it was a fun read. It told a story of some historic golfers that I didn't know much about, but it gave you a appreciation for how the game has developed in recent years.I would recomend it to any golfer that thinks golf begins with Tiger.
After reading this book, I would imagine most people would say, "yes." It's hard to argue against that claim. Hogan was in his last years of pro golf and Nelson had retired from competition 10 years ago. They had established themselves as young guys who could beat anyone, young or old. They liked to win - all the time.This book is a description, hole-by-hole at the gorgeous Cypress Point course in Monterey, Ca., of this unpublized-but-incredible golf match, done simply for fun and a few wagers by the guys who put it together.Mark Frost, the author of the famous book about Francis Ouimet's stunning win in the 1913 U.S. professional," "hot shots" vs. "has-beens."Actually, Ken Venturi and Harvie Ward weren't just newcomers on the scene. Is this the greatest golf match ever played. They were not going to be two old guys who laid down and moaned about "the good ole days." Ward and Venturi wouldn't have allowed it anyway.
Frost got me so involved, so hooked into this story, I felt Iike I was there, had a big bet and was nervous as a cat.Along the way in this dramatic match held in 1956, we get some wonderful insights of the four players and loving tribute to this historic and beautiful golf course. Yet, they had one thing: a lifetime of competing and an unquenchable thirst for victory no matter what the circumstance. As with the match, this is a book that gets better and better with each page. Their opponents in this special match event were two of the most famous golfers who ever teed it up: Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. This not only was an incredible display of golf, but pitted "old verses new," "amateur vs. Open, has another winner here.
In today's world, they would have young pros.(Picture a young Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson). The problem for them was that were way past their prime. Frost writes this book almost like a novel, with the suspense building and building to the point that - at least for me - I was almost afraid to turn the final pages to see who won. By the end, you almost feel like you just witnessed one of the greatest sporting events ever held.
Truly one of the best, most informative , most enjoyable books of golf ever written. I absolutely could not put it down. I learned more about Hogan, Nelson, Venturi and Ward from this book than i knew in 55 years. Everyone that loves golf should read this book.
Amazing recap of a real Match between 4 golf legends. Frost works the story like a great golf course and weaves in a wonderful history of the 4 legends and the how the game of golf changed from an amateur world to the professional world that we all know today.This book is for someone that loves golf.if they are not an avid golfer, I am not sure this book will hold the interest of a general sport fan or just novel reader.I recommend the good, great read. Enjoy
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