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| The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever | 
 enlarge | Author: Mark Frost
Brand: Booklegger
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $14.39
You Save: $10.56 (42%)
New (38) Used (15) Collectible (3) from $12.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  73 reviews
Sales Rank: 735
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.3 x 1
ISBN: 1401302785
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.352660979476
EAN: 9781401302788
ASIN: 1401302785
Publication Date: November 6, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New and unread. sales benefit our local libraries!
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| Customer Reviews:
 The essence of the game! December 11, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Golf in the day of Der Bingle aka Bing Crosby. A panoply of the game back in the day when the guard was changing. Eddie Lowery, who as a 10 year old had caddied for Francis Ouimet when he defeated the then reigning greatest in the game, Harry Vardon and Ted Ray (as magnificently told by Mark Frost in his earlier book "The Greatest Game") has come to California and become a hugely successful car dealer. He remains close to the game both in California and nationally as a member of the inner circle at the USGA. He has nurtured several talented amateurs. At the time of "The Match" his two protege's/employees are Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi. At a dinner party on the eve of the Crosby "Clambake" at Pebble Beach he promotes a bet that "his two amateurs" could beat any two pros in the game. This leads to an impromptu match the next day at Cypress Point, the focal point of this wonderful story, between two of the greatest pros the game has ever known, Ben Hogan and his fellow Texan, Byron Nelson. Along the way to the conclusion of this incredibly played match we are treated to the color and background of the times and the lives of the four protagonists up to this moment in their respective lives. As ever, Frost is a peerless storyteller and keeps the reader engaged at every moment as the story unfolds. Don't miss this!
 Frost captures the essence and spirit of an era December 27, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
With the publication of THE MATCH: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever, Mark Frost cements his credentials as one of the country's finest chroniclers of the rich and celebrated history of golf in America. In two previous efforts, he painted remarkable portraits of significant events in the annals of the game that travelled to America from Scotland. THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED is his account of the 1913 United States Open and the victory by Frances Ouimet, an unknown American amateur. THE GRAND SLAM is his narrative of Bobby Jones's victory in the four major golf championships of his era. The chronological saga continues as THE MATCH takes readers back to 1956, the era of golf preceding television and legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
At the outset, readers should accept the fact that Frost's title for his third golf book is hyperbole. Indeed, one can search its pages in great detail and never find an answer to how the game of golf changed as a result of the 18-hole practice-round match pitting professionals Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson against amateurs Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi. While substantial money may have changed hands as a result of the contest, very few sports fans were even aware that it had occurred. Contemporary professional golfers probably pass out more in tips than the four players battled for on this day.
Setting that aside, Frost describes far more than a competition involving four men. Through his words readers gain a portrait of the status of professional and amateur golf in the 1950s, as the beloved and respected amateur golfer would now take a backseat to a new era of professional golfers and their fans.
The money men behind the contest were Eddie Lowery and George Coleman, wealthy businessmen who loved golf and betting on it. Lowery had a storied connection to the game; he had been Ouimet's caddy in the historic 1913 Open. As a successful car dealer in San Francisco, he allowed amateur golfers to work at his dealership for princely salaries and continue playing golf as amateurs. In the 1950s even the most successful professional golfer had official winnings of less than $50,000 per year. The substantial financial lure of modern professional golf was at least a decade away. Amateur golfers were still highly revered in the 1950s, and the dream of most United States Golf Association officials was that another great champion such as Bobby Jones, an amateur who played only for the love of the game, might again dominate championship events.
The stage was set for the match played during practice for the 1956 Bing Crosby Pro-Am. Venturi idolized Hogan, and indeed, after turning professional, he would model his wardrobe after the Texas golfer. While Hogan had the reputation of being a cold and ruthless man on the course, he could also be warm and generous. While Venturi was in the army, Hogan remarked that Venturi's clubs were not in the best condition. Venturi replied that his military wages did not allow for the purchase of new clubs. Shortly thereafter a brand-new set of irons from the Hogan factory arrived at Venturi's door.
Throughout THE MATCH, as he has done in his other books, Frost captures the essence and spirit of an era. Sports does not exist in a vacuum; it is a reflection of the moment. Hogan, Nelson, Venturi and Ward were products of a generation tempered by World War II and the post-war experience. They influenced the game of golf and professional sports for the second half of the 20th century. Frost chronicles that influence in a masterful fashion that all who love the game of golf will appreciate.
--- Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman
One Of This Year's Two Essential Golf Books May 22, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Two recent golf books stand out above all others: The Match and Fairway to Hell: Around the World in 18 Holes, which is far and way the most hilarious and insightful. I looked forward to The Match because I had heard it takes place at Cypress Point and I've always dreamed of playing that course, so it was a treat to walk and play it with some of the greatest golfers of all time. In case you haven't heard, the centerpiece of this story is a casual best ball match play round between Ben Hogan and Bryron Nelson (representing the pros) and Ken Venturi and Harvie Ward (representing the amateurs). The time is 1956 and Venturi and Ward are the last of the gentleman amateurs playing at the highest levels of the game. The event is precipitated by a bet instigated by none other than Eddie Lowery, the pint-sized ten-year old caddie from "Greatest Game" who has (believe it or not) become a millionaire California car dealer. This connection to the earlier book is more than a coincidence and Lowery becomes more important to the story than one might expect. The Match is required reading for any serious golfer. On one level learning more about the life story and personality of these great players as well as that of Cypress Point and the Crosby Clambake are quintessential elements of the glory of golf in America. As before, Mark Frost does an amazing job illuminating this background (including a great recounting of the famous Hogan comeback after his accident.)
A Nostalgic Journey November 18, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
For this 87-year-old former six handicaper, Mark Frost's replay of the Nelson Hogan-Venturi Ward match at Cypress Point was a special treat. I endorse RODBOOMBOOM's review 100% but, like him, the name, Harvey Ward, seemed out of context with the likes of Nelson, Hogan and Venturi. For me the only thing missing was the opportunity to discuss The Match with old golfing buddies over a cold beer....ahhhh! Those were the days!!!
Al Kayworth, author
Abenaki Warrior
Legends of the Pond
The Scalp Hunters
Iceman to the Internet
Masterful!!! December 14, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"The Match...." is absolutely the best golf book I have ever read and I have read a number of them. The narrative flows masterfully, recounting not just the match itsself, shot-by-shot, but provides an affectionate look at each of the SIX participants; i.e. the two men who ginned up the match and the four players. But more than all this, the book tells lovingly, how a piece of real estate was turned into one of the premier golf venues in the world and by whom.
"The Match..." gets five stars and my unqualified recommendation. Give it as a gift on some special day, or give it simply because you know the recipient is a lover of golf.
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