Synopses & Reviews
Darren Kilfara's scheme to study abroad at St. Andrews University in Scotland-allegedly, to write a thesis on the history of golf-was foolproof. He would enroll at the school, go to a couple of classes, earn a year's worth of university credit, and become eligible for a year-long student pass to the famed golf courses of St. Andrews, the birthplace of the game, for the low, low price of $150. A perfect plan, so of course it went awry.
A GOLFER'S EDUCATION is the true story of a young man, once a member of Harvard's golf team and a former writer for Golf Digest, who began his year in St. Andrews as an intense, uptight golfer willing to do anything to play a great course and ended it a changed and wiser man and a better golfer in ways immeasurable by a scorecard.
Part golf travelogue and part memoir, this engaging book chronicles Kilfara's year in Scotland playing the finest golf courses in the country, especially the enigmatic Old Course; learning that the Scots see golf as a reflection of their democratic ideals; discovering the subcultures of Scottish golf-drunken bohemian street golf, homeless golf fanatics, betting parlors, and poetic BBC golf commentators; falling in love with a Scottish woman; and finally overcoming his obsession for scores and handicaps and learning to love the simplicity of the game.
Kilfara draws on his substantial knowledge of golf and course architecture to create a perceptive, insightful guide to the great golf coursesof Scotland. But at the same time, he has created a timeless story of an irreverent young man coming of age in the birthplace of the sport.
Synopsis
A YANK ON THE LINKS
Advance Praise for A Golfer's Education:
"Darren Kilfara journeys to Scotland, makes an ace, breaks par on the Old Course, finds Heather off it, and lives out a golfing dream. For the rest of us, anyway, there's his enchanting book." (MICHAEL BAMBERGER author of To the Linksland)
"Kilfara spent four happy years at Harvard, learning the many useful things that Harvard has to offer. Then he went to St. Andrews and learned about life. A Golfer's Education is a graceful, insightful and often funny account of that journey." (DON WADE, author of Talking on Tour)
"He writes about golf passionately and perceptively; he captures the lure of the links vividly; and his analysis of his tendency to be a 'score-obsessed golfer' is as wise as it is painful.... A fine golf memoir." (Booklist)
About the Author
Darren Kilfara has played golf for Harvard University, written for Golf Digest, and provided color commentary for ESPN International's soccer broadcasts. He lives in London.
Table of Contents
Prologue 1. FINDING MY THRILL 2. PUTTING ON APPEARANCES 3. SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW 4. MELVILLE MATES 5. THE CRUDEN WAY 6. IT'S ALL DUNHILL FROM HERE 7. THAT WORD ON THE STREET 8. NORTHERN LIGHTS 9. OLD FAITHFUL 10. WEATHER-BEATEN 11. GAMES THESE PEOPLE PLAYED 12. PRIDE AND PREJUDICES 13. HOW THE OTHER HALF PLAYS 14. SMOOTH SAILING 15. ALLISS IN WONDERLAND 16. THE CHOKE ARTIST 17. BLIND LEADING THE BLIND 18. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS 19. THE FOREIGN INVASION 20. BEGINNING AT THE END 21 IF IT'S MODAY, IT MUST BE MACHRIHANISH Epilogue