THE MATCH: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever
Mark Frost
Hyperion
Sports
ISBN: 9781401302788

With the publication of THE MATCH: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever, Mark Frost cements his credentials as one of the country’s finest chroniclers of the rich and celebrated history of golf in America. In two previous efforts, he painted remarkable portraits of significant events in the annals of the game that travelled to America from Scotland. THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED is his account of the 1913 United States Open and the victory by Frances Ouimet, an unknown American amateur. THE GRAND SLAM is his narrative of Bobby Jones’s victory in the four major golf championships of his era. The chronological saga continues as THE MATCH takes readers back to 1956, the era of golf preceding television and legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

At the outset, readers should accept the fact that Frost’s title for his third golf book is hyperbole. Indeed, one can search its pages in great detail and never find an answer to how the game of golf changed as a result of the 18-hole practice-round match pitting professionals Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson against amateurs Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi. While substantial money may have changed hands as a result of the contest, very few sports fans were even aware that it had occurred. Contemporary professional golfers probably pass out more in tips than the four players battled for on this day.

Setting that aside, Frost describes far more than a competition involving four men. Through his words readers gain a portrait of the status of professional and amateur golf in the 1950s, as the beloved and respected amateur golfer would now take a backseat to a new era of professional golfers and their fans.

The money men behind the contest were Eddie Lowery and George Coleman, wealthy businessmen who loved golf and betting on it. Lowery had a storied connection to the game; he had been Ouimet’s caddy in the historic 1913 Open. As a successful car dealer in San Francisco, he allowed amateur golfers to work at his dealership for princely salaries and continue playing golf as amateurs. In the 1950s even the most successful professional golfer had official winnings of less than $50,000 per year. The substantial financial lure of modern professional golf was at least a decade away. Amateur golfers were still highly revered in the 1950s, and the dream of most United States Golf Association officials was that another great champion such as Bobby Jones, an amateur who played only for the love of the game, might again dominate championship events.

The stage was set for the match played during practice for the 1956 Bing Crosby Pro-Am. Venturi idolized Hogan, and indeed, after turning professional, he would model his wardrobe after the Texas golfer. While Hogan had the reputation of being a cold and ruthless man on the course, he could also be warm and generous. While Venturi was in the army, Hogan remarked that Venturi’s clubs were not in the best condition. Venturi replied that his military wages did not allow for the purchase of new clubs. Shortly thereafter a brand-new set of irons from the Hogan factory arrived at Venturi’s door.

Throughout THE MATCH, as he has done in his other books, Frost captures the essence and spirit of an era. Sports does not exist in a vacuum; it is a reflection of the moment. Hogan, Nelson, Venturi and Ward were products of a generation tempered by World War II and the post-war experience. They influenced the game of golf and professional sports for the second half of the 20th century. Frost chronicles that influence in a masterful fashion that all who love the game of golf will appreciate.

   --- Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman

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