An American Caddie in St. Andrews: Growing Up, Girls and Looping on the Old Course (Paperback)
Oliver Horovitz (author)Published: 12/06/2014
Longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2014
After finishing high school in New York, Oliver Horovitz was accepted to Harvard University. But there was a problem; he couldn't start until the following year. With time on his hands and a long-standing love of golf, the solution was obvious: a gap year at the University of St. Andrews, alongside the iconic Old Course, known around the world as 'the home of golf'.
At the end of term, Ollie joined the St. Andrews caddie trainee programme and spent the summer lining up at the caddie shack, looping two, sometimes three, rounds a day, with the notoriously gruff veteran caddies. And so began an adventure that would change his life in unexpected ways.
Publisher: Elliott & Thompson Limited
ISBN: 9781783960002
Number of pages: 320
Dimensions: 1980 x 129 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
"Anyone who likes golf and St. Andrews will savor this captivating book, but even nongolfers should enjoy Horovitz's sweet memoir of golfing in the sport's mecca."--Chicago Tribune; "This poignant, funny memoir by Oliver Horovitz, a Harvard student who finds his calling on the Scottish links, is an intriguing tour of life at the world's most celebrated course."--Parade; "An enjoyable and hilarious tale from a young man many golfers will envy for living his dream.--Shelf Awareness; "With the energy and joy of youth, he describes his 'gap year.' ... His interaction with the group of 'pretty' university girls, deemed 'Model Caddies,' is wondrous ... Horovitz shares his deeply felt memories of golf, girls, and the academy boldly, never taking himself too seriously or being irreverent about the caddie tradition on the time-honored Old Course links."--Publishers Weekly; "In this breezy memoir, the younger brother of a Beastie Boy spills insider tales about looping and living in St. Andrews ... The characters bitter old caddies, the author's university pals, and his eighty-three-year-old uncle are lovable. So, too, are Horovitz's yarns, which feature late-night antics in the Old Toon and a round caddying for Seinfeld creator Larry David."--Golf; "A must read."--PGA.com; "An utterly absorbing, affectionate, and funny narrative ... I loved his memoir so much I lingered over it, relishing my own memories of that mysteriously captivating town, historic links, and addictive Scottish game, and I recommend Ollie's book to those who've either already walked in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris or have a visit to the home of golf on their bucket list."--Ron Hansen, author of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford; "Oliver Horovitz is a writer to watch. Even if you don't play golf, you will enjoy the Ring Lardner style of Ollie's An American Caddie in St. Andrews. The book has great characters and a wonderful sense of being a fish out of water."--Michael Douglas; "This is a story you have to read before your next bogey. Oliver has his priorities spot-on!"--Gary McCord; "An American Caddie in St. Andrews is a funny, charming, coming-of-age tale about golf and life ... Horovitz is a gifted writer and an engaging storyteller ... and he can read putts!"--Huey Lewis; "While exposing the insular world of the St. Andrews caddie, Oliver Horovitz discovers a good deal of truth about golf, golfers, and himself. A terrific read. Recommended."--Curt Sampson, author of The War by the Shore; "This is much more than a book about golf. Engaging, witty and wonderfully self-deprecating, Horovitz charts the journey from student life to responsible adulthood in a touching and heartwarming style. He captures the essence of St. Andrews, marrying the disparate worlds of university life with the caddy shack at golf's most famous course. This story of growing up is told through the insightful observation of a rich range of characters. They get to the heart of what make St Andrews such a special place."--Iain Carter, golf correspondent, BBC 5 Live; "An entertaining and heartwarming story of summers walking the links, it really captures the allure of St Andrews, its characters, and the Old Course ... An excellent read." --Ken Brown, five-time Ryder Cup player
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