Novel sets example: Golf should be fun

By John Boyette
The Augusta Chronicle

David Feherty has made a name for himself as an irreverent yet witty golf commentator for CBS Sports.

That sense of humor comes through in his first novel, A Nasty Bit of Rough. Readers of his monthly column in Golf magazine will recognize the tale of his fictional Uncle Dickie and his band of friends as they compete for the oldest trophy of golf, the petrified middle finger of St. Andrew.

Feherty, a former pro who won 10 tournaments and more than $3 million worldwide, retired as a player in 1997 and began his broadcasting career.

As one would expect from Feherty, no group is exempt from his humor.

Uncle Dickie's golf club, Scrought's Wood, is in a battle with its archenemy, the McGregor clan of the Tay Club, over which club is the game's birthplace.

When the two clubs agree to settle the matter on the course, comedy becomes the central character of the 235-page novel. As the historic match is waged, another story line emerges as a mysterious stranger plots to steal Uncle Dickie's antique golf club collection.

Feherty's message is clear - golf is a game and it should be fun. His debut novel gets that point across.

A member of the European Ryder Cup team in 1991, Feherty was a regular on the European Tour and captained the winning Irish team at the 1990 Alfred Dunhill Cup.

"I always enjoyed talking more than playing, and now CBS is paying me for what I like to do most," said Feherty, who makes his home in Texas with his wife and five children.

"I want to entertain people," Feherty said. "If I can't make them laugh, I want to make them smile."

GET THE STORY

BOOK: A Nasty Bit of Rough, 235 pages, hardcover

AUTHOR: David Feherty

PUBLISHER: Rugged Land Books

COST: $23.95