Welcome
April 1st, 2008Thanks for checking out this website. If you drop me a note, I’ll get
back to you as soon as I can. I’ve called my blog, ‘Backspin’ and
those of you who play golf know that mastering the art of making a
ball dance on the green is one of the nicest sights in golf. So, I’m
anxious to hear your thoughts on my books. Thanks for taking the time
to give me your backspin on my prose.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:18 am
John Coyne’s new book The Caddy Who Played With Hickory is a great read. I like the fact that having been in the Peace Corps and having lived in a village with no too much to do that one can spend a whole day reading any of the several great novels John has written. This one easy to get engrossed in, and it makes you about halfway through really anxious to see how it turns out. Also, he knows an awful lot about golf which makes it very believable.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Terry, many thanks for your kind words about the new book. It is just out in the stores, I’m told. I’m glad you got a chance to read it, and early! John
April 29th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
John: Thanks again for sending me an advance copy. I did expect to learn about the hickory era and Hagen, which I did, but you also spun a great tale that kept me wondering what would happen next. What I didn’t expect is that you would top the Hogan book, but you did. I look forward to recommending “The Caddy Who Played with Hickory” to my readers and hope there are more “caddy” stories to come.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Thanks, Neil…if your readers take your word, I’ll have a best seller.
John
May 6th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
John: Thank You for the book.
Another Great Read. I loved learing about intricacies of playing with Hickory, the weaving of societies class structure in the 1940’s, the details about a caddies life. Thank You again.
I’ve recommended the book to my reader as well as golfing friends and will continue to do so.
Taking a Mulligan from The Armchair Golfer, I too hope there are more Caddy books in you.
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed The Caddie who knew Ben Hogan. It was a grand book that I enjoyed as part of my rehabilitation after a hip replacement. I was very pleased to discover that you had written another book about another caddy that was an ordinary guy and excelled in character through life’s lessons and through the most wonderful game of golf, The Caddie Who Played with Hickory. I meant to make it last and savor every word, but alas, I couldn’t put it down and before I knew it I was finished and a tear had formed in my eye at the nostalgic conclusion. I have stayed up way too late and will pay the piper when the morning comes. It was worth it! Thank you for your great talent and please continue to write more books about the best game ever. Sincerely, Bob Mataya, 35 year professional bartender and an avid golfer.
May 24th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Thanks, Bob
May 29th, 2008 at 7:26 am
John, I wanted to commend you on a finely spun novel. I enjoyed your first story with the young caddy, Jack ,and Ben Hogan. I received your second novel as a gift from the WGA. Ironically, I shared your first novel with my friend Jerry Dudek ,WGA administrator and Midlothian scholar alum. He read it while staying at Baltusrol. Your descriptions of Midlothian and Beverly bring back great memories. I am an Evans Scholar alum and current member at Beverly. Chick passed away shortly before I received the scholarship. Your descriptions provided a picture of him that I never had . His legacy lives on in the 8500 alums. I look forward with great anticipation to your next novel. I hope you can continue to incorporate Chick and the great clubs of Chicago in your future novels. Warm wishes, Jack
June 5th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Wow! I started “The Caddie Who Played With Hickory” yesterday morning, and just finished it a few moments ago. I have been playing the great game of golf off and on now for 53 years, having started when I was 13. Of course, life intruded as the years gathered speed, and I found other things to become enamored of in the use of my spare time. This book is marvelous and educational and emotional, and reminded me of two things: how great the game is; and, what a great writer can do to make reading about it an experience to savor and remember. Thanks for that. However, one question: was Hagen in fact the nefarious womanizer you made him out to be in the novel? Okay, another question: was he, in general, a not-so-nice individual? Again, a great great read. I am heading out to Barnes and Noble to buy “The Caddie Who Knew Ben Hogan”. How can I lose? Michael
June 5th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Michael–thanks for the kind words and the support of the book. As for Hagen…he was married three times, and, yes, he knew a lot of women along the way. Actually there are some funny stories of how he would pick up women while playing an exhibition and or in a tournament. He was, however, a nice guy. I attempted not to make him a villain in the story, however. He was very competitive and he knew how to ‘work’ someone other….the stories that I have in the piece about that are true. Again, thanks. John
June 6th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Enjoyed all the nuances of the game. Hard to believe that you could castigate Hagen in a book of fiction…never seen that done before…wanted to share this with my 15 year old grandson since he loves golf but I will buy the book and let my son make that decision…I’m too many generations away! As a 72 year old, 40 year hacker I loved reading and learning more about playing the game than I have learned from taking lessons. I’m still having problems breaking 100! Great read…did you know Hagen personally or is this what you heard? Reminds me of some of the stories I heard about Trevino who apparently wasn’t really that nice of a person. Please keep sharing your golf knowledge…I will now read the Hogan story…I hope he wasn’t as bad as Hagen.
June 14th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Mr. Coyne,
Thanks for the memories. I caddied at Midlothian in the late 50’s. I remember making $8.00 for a double. I used to hitchhike from 111th and Western to the club. Sometimes I had money to ride the red bus. My neighbor Larry Joy, had relatives that lived on the course. Dennis Joy got me the job. Not too many buildings between Western and Cicero back then. Thanks again for the great story and the memories of a great golf course.
June 26th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
John,
My grandfather fostered my love for golf and after 60 years hacking I can proudly show the world a wasted adulthood. Playing it down on 6500+ tracks bogey is par for me; but playing jungle golf from the yellows once a week in a local senior league I’m single digit.
I am struggling to keep my game (back and knees too) together because the league is an arena where I have a chance to shoot my age if enough fifteen footers drop!
I’ve especially enjoyed your two golf novels and instruction books, along with hundreds of other authors and script writers who, often weakly, endeavor to capture memories and truths about this wonderful outdoor game played without painted straight lines.
But my commentary here targets Tommy O’Shea, if indeed there was an actual persona upon which you based this can’t-put-it-down tale.
My uncle, George Cady, was a Professor of Economics at Northwestern after WWII before relocating to Redlands University in the early fifties; would Tommy have taken his classes during his run up to a business degree? This would cement a personal relationship however flimsy parallel with a professional relationship developing real estate.
Tom Cady
July 14th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Hi there, Just stumbled upon your site. My mother in law just gave me an old copy of Brothers and Sisters to read. She is Eileen Conaboy Kelty-daughter of Bridget Coyne. I am looking forward to reading your work! Laura Kelty
August 14th, 2008 at 6:21 am
Mr. Coyne,
I am not a regular reader of any books. To be perfectly honest, i really thought books were kinda boring, that is untill my coworker talked me into going to a bookstore.
I LOVE golf, and when i saw the cover of your book it imediately cought my attention. I have been reading it on and off (when im not loading trucks) sence last night. I have got to say its hard to put it down. I look forward to reading the rest of your books.
Thank you. I now have a new-found interst.
Derek
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:08 am
Great book read it in one stting–now I have to look for the Caddy Who Knew Ben Hogan. One comment, page 273 you have O’Shea and company two down going to #8. If they won the firat two holes and halved the 3rd yhen were given a tie on 7 how could they be down two?
January 5th, 2009 at 5:20 am
Derek–thanks for writing. I’m working on another caddie book now…so get ready!
January 5th, 2009 at 5:21 am
Tom Cady–this is a work of fiction. Tommy comes only from my imagination. John
April 7th, 2009 at 4:06 am
I wanted to comment and thank the author, good stuff
April 7th, 2009 at 4:26 am
Thank you, George, for your comment. John
May 8th, 2009 at 12:31 am
Good Afternoon!
I just ordered your book and I can’t wait to read it. I caddied at Midlothian for 10 years starting when I was 11… I read a brief excerpt describing the main character walking over the bridge near the 2nd green – I remember that walk well while heading to the bench!
June 14th, 2009 at 4:09 am
Jon, I hope you like the book….let me know.
John