Fairway to Heaven: My Lessons from Harvey Penick on Golf and Life

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The late Harvey Penick always told Tom Kite to "take dead aim...before every shot." In this unique memoir, Kite, captain of the 1997 U.S. Ryder Cup team, tells the story of Penick, the greatest teacher golf has ever known, his golf secrets, and how he taught them; of Kite's own friendly rivalry with Ben Crenshaw; and of the special relationship enjoyed by all three men. More than just another golf book, Tom Kite's story is of the bonding of generations - between the teacher who recently died at the age of ninety and two of his pupils who are among the world's best golfers. Tom Kite is one of the most consistent low scorers on the tour. Winner of the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, Kite claims a total of nineteen tour victories and annual career earnings approaching $10 million. He was recently the all-time leading money winner on the PGA Tour. Few golfers have a better Ryder Cup record; in seven years of play, Kite has earned fifteen wins and 17 points. Mickey Herskowitz's previous bestseller-list collaborations include All My Octobers with Mickey Mantle, The Camera Never Blinks with Dan Rather, Cosell by Cosell, and This 'n' That with Bette Davis.

SYNOPSIS

In this memoir, Kite, captain of this year's U.S. Ryder Cup Team, tells the story of the greatest teacher golf has ever known, his golf secrets, and how he taught them.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

It is pretty much agreed in the golfing world that Penick (1904-95) was the best teacher of the game in this century. Skeptics should be reminded that he is the only instructor to have sent two top players, Kite and Ben Crenshaw, to the PGA tour. In his book, assisted by Herskowitz, who previously collaborated with Mickey Mantle and others, Kite delivers a history of his contacts with Penick framed within a loving appreciation of his teacher and coach. He also covers his own links career, capped by his win in the U.S. Open in 1992 after 20 years of trying, and his selection as captain of this year's Ryder Cup team, to him the greatest honor he could achieve. Penick was forever jotting down his thoughts in a notebook, and Kite scatters them throughout the book; each quote is labeled "Watering Hole," and each is a salient observation on players, techniques and what the game teaches participants about life. An admirable book. Photos not seen by PW. (Sept.)

Library Journal