The Greatest Course That Never Was: A Novel [Paperback]

J. Michael Veron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 2002

When Charley Hunter first discovered the astonishing golfing prodigy Beau Stedman in The Greatest Player Who Never Lived, he broke the biggest story in golf history. But now, just as Charley is settling down into his budding legal career at a prestigious Atlanta law firm, strange notes clipped to obituaries start to arrive. Curious as to their origin, he tracks down the sender–an old caddie from Augusta National named Moonlight McIntrye–and Charley finds himself drawn into another tangled mystery surrounding a hidden golf course.

Driven by his passion for the game and a hunger for the truth, Charley dives into the most riveting, high-stakes mystery yet, another terrific golf story that will entice and delight fans and newcomers alike. Join Charley and Moonlight in their search for The Greatest Course That Never Was.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“It is as good a read as The Greatest Player Who Never Lived and a must for golf aficionados.”–New Orleans Times-Picayune

From the Inside Flap

When Charley Hunter first discovered the astonishing golfing prodigy Beau Stedman in The Greatest Player Who Never Lived, he broke the biggest story in golf history. But now, just as Charley is settling down into his budding legal career at a prestigious Atlanta law firm, strange notes clipped to obituaries start to arrive. Curious as to their origin, he tracks down the sender?an old caddie from Augusta National named Moonlight McIntrye?and Charley finds himself drawn into another tangled mystery surrounding a hidden golf course.

Driven by his passion for the game and a hunger for the truth, Charley dives into the most riveting, high-stakes mystery yet, another terrific golf story that will entice and delight fans and newcomers alike. Join Charley and Moonlight in their search for The Greatest Course That Never Was.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (March 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767907175
• ISBN-13: 978-0767907170
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy Sequel to Beau Stedman Chronicle, September 19, 2001

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: The Greatest Course That Never Was: The Secret of Augusta National's Lost Course (Hardcover)

I found Veron's second work to be equally as captivating, entertaining and believable as the first.

Taking right off where the previous novel left off, a young attorney now working within Bobby Jones' law firm receives mysterious communications from one who eventually identifies himself as Moonlight.

Turns out this is a connection to Augusta and Jones and Roberts and Pebble Beach and Stedman, and even W.C. Fields.

I have no problems as others with a hidden course being a possibility. It fits perfectly with Jones' desire for privacy and Roberts' power. Perfect place, on a military base, on ocean frontage. Easily could be preserved by the games' best as their own private refuge.

The author's style is very comfortable, yet classy. No foul language which litters much of the other golf fiction and leaves a foul taste in my mouth even for well written golf plots otherwise.

Besides a great read, there is I believe very good golf philosophy handed out, e.g. "Ya' see, lad, it's not 'bout how ya' swing, but whre ya' put the ball. That's what made Mr. Jones so great. Ya' never heard anyone say that a particular course favored Mr. Jones or was well-suited for his game. He studied every course he played to figure out the best way to play each hole. Mr. Hogan was the same way."

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Incredible Story, May 21, 2001

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Greatest Course That Never Was: The Secret of Augusta National's Lost Course (Hardcover)

Charley Hunter, who uncovered Beau Stedman in "The Greatest Player Who Never Lived" is back and this time he hooks up with Moonlight McIntyre, an old caddie from Augusta National so Charley can tell the story of a secret golf course that was built by none other than the legendary golfer Bobby Jones. This book is fascinating in that you virtually go with Charley and Moonlight to find this golf course and experience the magic of the course as if you were there. It has mystery, intrigue, legal encounters, is loaded with golf history and has stories within the story. It even has a secret within the golf course! Even if you don't play golf, this book is so well written and the golf history blended in so well with the story that it becomes a believeable story that's almost real and thoroughly enjoyable. You can lose yourself in this story and when you get through reading it you feel like you've been a part of it. What an incredible story. Keep them coming!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another birdie., May 15, 2001

By 

Tom Smolinski (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Greatest Course That Never Was: The Secret of Augusta National's Lost Course (Hardcover)

I loved Veron's Greatest Player Who Never Lived and quickly ordered The Greatest Course That Never Was to see if Veron would match his first, and spectacular novel.

He succeeded in spades. Larger than the first, it was again a captivating read with Charley Hunter on the hunt for Augusta National's secret golf course, which was a brilliant plot to tie in Hunter and the legacy of Bobby Jones again.

If you liked The Greatest Player, I would strongly recommend The Greatest Course.