When asked to describe his new golf novel, “All Carry,” Gene Wojciechowski referenced a couple of legendary baseball books–and subsequent movies–where fantasy supersedes reality.
“This is sort of the golf version of ‘Field of Dreams’ meets ‘The Natural,’ but with a sense of humor,” Wojciechowski said. “I started with one question: What if life gave you a mulligan?”
The long-time resident of Wheaton and former ESPN on-air feature reporter succeeds in telling the tale of a laid-off golf reporter and a down-on-his-luck caddie, whose lives are transformed by a magical set of clubs once hand-made for Jack Nicklaus. This fantastical story is ultimately about the power of fate and family.
Wojciechowski’s book is not only highly entertaining, but also features many terrific insights about golf, from the pro level to caddies to regular Joes.
Wojciechowski also weaves in a healthy dose of golf history in providing context for his story.
Wojciechowski said, “I built everything around the book’s premise using all things Chicagoland, my years of covering the Tour, my relationships with caddies, players, agents, instructors, etc., my decades at ESPN, my weakness for Vegas and Scottsdale, my respect for Tiger, the Masters, Jack Nicklaus, fathers, mothers and sons, and my soft spot for persimmon woods and the impossible.”
Indeed, Wojciechowski draws on a familiar location for his book. The main characters live in Wheaton, which also happens to be the home of Chicago Golf Club. He said he has had “a long-time crush” on the iconic club.
“Chicago Golf Club is dipped in history and understated elegance,” Wojciechowski said. “It is as much a character in this book as anyone else–for reasons that will become obvious with each page.”
After covering 21 Masters, Wojciechowski knew he had to use golf’s ultimate stage, Augusta National, to provide the perfect setting for this fantasy. (See Wojciechowski’s Masters-themed Final Word column)
“The Masters is golf's common denominator,” Wojciechowski said. “Everyone knows where the Masters is played. My guy is gifted with the magic and mystique of singular golf clubs. What better place to test him and those clubs than the magic and mystique of Augusta National?”
Wojciechowski says writing golf fiction is “a niche gig.” However, he hopes to follow in the tradition of a couple of friends from his years covering the Masters.
“I sat in the same Masters press room as the great (best-selling golf authors) Dan Jenkins and Rick Reilly,” Wojciechowski said. “I hope their voices and the power of osmosis made their way into this book.”
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Another golf book to add to your reading list is Bob Harig’s latest, “Tiger v. Jack: Golf’s Great Debate.” The Barrington native and long-time Chicago District Golfer contributor examines who was better, Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus? The book, which will be available in May, explores their records, rivalries, statistics and the intangibles that made them both icons. —Ed Sherman
