The Caddie Who Knew Ben Hogan A Novel [Paperback]

Returning as an honored guest to the exclusive country club where he worked in his youth, Jack Handley remembers the summer of '46 when he caddied for Ben Hogan in the last Chicago Open. Now a respected historian, Jack recounts to the assembled sons and daughters of members he once knew the dramatic match between the mysterious and charismatic Hogan and the young club pro he idealized.

The Caddie Who Knew Ben Hoganis filled with dazzling descriptions of hole-by-hole match play drama, and laced with anecdotes from that golden age of sports. This bittersweet novel of friendship, lost love, and great golf is told through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy whose life is forever changed by one of the greatest players of the game.

Invited to speak at the anniversary of the Chicago Open, Jack Handley returns to the exclusive Midwest course where he caddied as a young boy. Now a respected and elderly historian, Jack recounts to the assembled sons and daughters of members he once knew the historic summer of 1946 when Ben Hogan visited the club to play in their famous PGA golf tournament.
At the time, Matt Alexander was the young club pro???Jack's idol, his dear friend, and a talented player with a velvet swing. Caddying for Matt, Jack oftentimes reined in Matt's reckless play as together they dissected each hole in preparation for Matt's attempt to qualify for the Chicago Open. But a secret romance that began between working-class Matt and Sarah, the daughter of the club president, threatened to disrupt their training???and their friendship.
Shortly before the Open, on a momentous late afternoon, fourteen-year-old Jack found himself caddying a tense practice round between Matt Alexander and Ben Hogan. In between golf swings and cigarette breaks, Hogan spent time with the impressionable Jack, teaching him far more about life than about golf.
Jack, thrilled by Hogan's presence at the country club but mindful of his own friendship with Matt, found his l“r