Miracle at Augusta by Patterson and DeJonge

The Miracle at Augusta
by James Patterson and Peter DeJonge

I am not a fan of James Patterson nor of golf, but the flyleaf on this book continued to call to me. I finally picked it up thinking that if I didn’t like it, at least it was a short book. But it has turned out to be one of my favorites. Travis McKinley shocked the world the previous year as an amateur golfer coming out of nowhere to win the PGA Senior Open. This year, through a series of poor choices Travis is suspended for several weeks from the tour which doesn’t help his feeling that he really doesn’t belong there. A snow storm socks in Chicago and while at home he meets a neighbor kid who offers to shovel his driveway. He continues to notice the bullied-teen while dropping his own kids off at school, and finally makes a connection with him through golf. Turns out the kid is a natural and Travis now has plans for him.
You don’t need to be a golf fan, understand the game, nor know who the famous golf players are to enjoy this sweet story of Travis getting back his self-esteem while helping a kid in need. Travis has a wicked sense of humor which has you chucking out loud while reading.

This is actually the sequel to Miracle on the 17th Green which I then read (and recommend). There’s a 17-year publication lag between these two books, but in the timeline of the story “Augusta” takes place only one year later.

And somehow the authors made golf exciting — though I’m still not a fan.

[ official Miracle at Augusta web page at the official James Patterson web site ]

Recommended by Charlotte K.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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