What golf experts
are saying about The Caddie Who Played with Hickory

Tom Clavin

Author of Sir Walter: Walter Hagen and the Invention of Professional Golf

Walter Hagen has always deserved a novel that would do him justice because he was a fascinating man and golfer and a larger-than-life character. Finally, John Coyne has written a novel that is not only fine golf writing and fine fiction but let’s readers spent time with a legendary American sportsman. In most of his anecdotes about his own life The Haig veered off into fiction — now, at least he is in the hands of a professional. To be at Midlothian in 1946 with Hagen in “The Caddie Who Played With Hickory is as close as any of us will get to actually playing a round with the Babe Ruth of golf.

Randy Jensen

7-time National Hickory Golf Champion

A highly entertaining must-read for anyone interested in hickory golf or the history of the game. I loved it!"

Dr. Gary Wiren

Noted golf teacher, and former Director of Research and Learning for the PGA of America

John Coyne knows his golf history, its characters and the game. He spins a story that includes a mysterious character, a hero, a romance, a semi-villain, and a classic golf match into a believable tale.

Jerry Dudek

Director of Development
Evans Scholars Foundation/Western Golf Association

Walter Hagen, Chick Evans, hickory clubs, and Chicago’s Midlothian Country Club are all featured in this tense story of championship golf and a summer romance. It is 1946 and a young caddie has the chance to move from the caddie yard to the clubhouse — but only if he can beat the legendary Walter Hagen, using classic wood-shafted clubs. He’s got no chance — until he partners up with Chick Evans, Chicago’s greatest amateur player, who lost to Hagen himself on the same golf course in the famous 1914 U.S. Open. Coyne spins a wonderful page-turning tale where the outcome hangs on every putt.
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