Comments for Backspin http://johncoynebooks.com/blog Talk about golf, writing and more Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:46:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on The Caddie Who Played With Hickory by Dee(I love golf)Finney http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/29/the-caddie-who-played-with-hickory/#comment-181 Dee(I love golf)Finney Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:27:56 +0000 http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/29/the-caddie-who-played-with-hickory/#comment-181 Your books are top o the line! Keep them coming and I will keep reading them! Your books are top o the line!
Keep them coming and I will keep reading them!

]]> Comment on The Caddie Who Played With Hickory by Dick Walden http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/29/the-caddie-who-played-with-hickory/#comment-33 Dick Walden Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:33:33 +0000 http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/29/the-caddie-who-played-with-hickory/#comment-33 Having been a caddy in the '60s and a life-long student of the game, I enjoyed "Caddy... Hickory" very much. While Hagen may not have been the perfect role model, he did broaden participation in the great game (as you point out), but I think your protagonist's crack about him "just playing golf with the Duke of Windsor" was not really necessary. It's my understanding that Hagen played a good number of exhibitions benefiting the war efforts during both World Wars. If you wouldn't mind giving me an e-mail or post office address, I'd like to ask a couple of questions about writing, and writing about golf in particular. I look forward to reading your other books. Having been a caddy in the ’60s and a life-long student of the game, I enjoyed “Caddy… Hickory” very much. While Hagen may not have been the perfect role model, he did broaden participation in the great game (as you point out), but I think your protagonist’s crack about him “just playing golf with the Duke of Windsor” was not really necessary. It’s my understanding that Hagen played a good number of exhibitions benefiting the war efforts during both World Wars. If you wouldn’t mind giving me an e-mail or post office address, I’d like to ask a couple of questions about writing, and writing about golf in particular. I look forward to reading your other books.

]]> Comment on Welcome by tom cady http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-31 tom cady Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:07:31 +0000 http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-31 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 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

]]> Comment on The Caddie Who Played With Hickory by A. Jacobs http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/29/the-caddie-who-played-with-hickory/#comment-18 A. Jacobs Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:32:20 +0000 http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/29/the-caddie-who-played-with-hickory/#comment-18 i just wanted to say that even though the closest i have ever gotten to a golf course was a driving range, i have thoroughly enjoyed your books. while i might not go out and start playing, i can't wait for your next caddie book. i just wanted to say that even though the closest i have ever gotten to a golf course was a driving range, i have thoroughly enjoyed your books. while i might not go out and start playing, i can’t wait for your next caddie book.

]]> Comment on Welcome by Bill Wright http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-17 Bill Wright Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:49:50 +0000 http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-17 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. 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.

]]> Comment on Welcome by John Coyne http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-13 John Coyne Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:45:36 +0000 http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-13 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 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

]]> Comment on Welcome by Michael Waldman http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-12 Michael Waldman Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:48:16 +0000 http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-12 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 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

]]> Comment on Welcome by jack crisham http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-10 jack crisham Thu, 29 May 2008 02:26:36 +0000 http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-10 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 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

]]> Comment on Welcome by John Coyne http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-9 John Coyne Sat, 24 May 2008 01:25:54 +0000 http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/01/hello-world/#comment-9 Thanks, Bob Thanks, Bob

]]> Comment on The Caddie Who Played With Hickory by Craig Bruya http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/29/the-caddie-who-played-with-hickory/#comment-8 Craig Bruya Fri, 23 May 2008 22:27:55 +0000 http://johncoynebooks.com/blog/2008/04/29/the-caddie-who-played-with-hickory/#comment-8 Just finished your Hickory book and really enjoyed it. It will move up to the top of my bookshelf in my golf libary. I suppose being an avid golfer and former caddy (and an Evans Scholar), I am your target audience, but the book has a nice way of layering golf and golf as a metaphor for life and a novel with interesting stories all together to make it enjoyable for most anyone to read (except maybe people who hate golf). Congrats on a great book and I hope you have great success with it. If you ever get out to Seattle to promote the book, would be happy to have you for some golf at my club. Just finished your Hickory book and really enjoyed it. It will move up to the top of my bookshelf in my golf libary. I suppose being an avid golfer and former caddy (and an Evans Scholar), I am your target audience, but the book has a nice way of layering golf and golf as a metaphor for life and a novel with interesting stories all together to make it enjoyable for most anyone to read (except maybe people who hate golf). Congrats on a great book and I hope you have great success with it. If you ever get out to Seattle to promote the book, would be happy to have you for some golf at my club.

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