Travis McKinley is an ordinary man living an ordinary life - he has a job that he despises, a marriage that has lost its passion, children from whom he feels disconnected, and, at age fifty, a sense that he has accomplished nothing of consequence with his life. But on Christmas Day, he goes out to play a round of golf, and for the first time, he finds himself in the 'zone'. He sees the putting line that has eluded him for years. Always a fairly good golfer, he finds himself playing like a pro and is so caught up in his excitement that he continues to play, sinking putt after putt, missing Christmas dinner with his wife and family. It is too much for his already troubled marriage. His family collapses - but Travis is soon too busy living his dream to notice. His amazing new golf skills catapult him into the PGA Senior Open at Pebble Beach, where he advances to the final round with two of his heroes, Jack Nicklaus and Raymond Floyd. And with his wife, children, and a live television audience watching, a miracle takes place on the 17th green that will change Travis, and his family, forever.
Miracle on the 17th Green: A Novel
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From Publishers Weekly
While it isn't quite the literary equivalent of a hole-in-one, this fast-moving golf fantasy about an amateur golfer who decides to try out for the PGA Senior Tour has enough sweetness and humor to overcome its obvious plot cliches. Middle-aged and happily married, Travis McKinley does the unthinkable: he misses Christmas dinner after getting caught up in a divinely inspired streak of great putting during an outing on the country club course in Winnetka, Ill. As Travis's obsession with his newfound talent takes over his life, his obstetrician wife, Sarah, expresses increasing dismay over his inability to grow up, a domestic crisis that reaches a boiling point when Travis loses his job and journeys to Tallahassee, Fla., to try to qualify for the Senior Tour. Competing against overwhelming odds, Travis earns a place on the tour, only to have his dream spoiled when he learns that Sarah intends to file for divorce. As he continues to compete against the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino, the victory that will fulfill Travis's dream and reunite him with his family is as improbable as it is inevitable. Plot issues aside, Patterson (whose newest thriller is Jack and Jill) and de Jonge succeed admirably in creating a winning character who is enough of a child to believe his dreams and is also mature enough to offer some gently humorous reflections on our national obsession with an engaging sport. Christmas shoppers take note: vigorous, straightforward prose and solid characterization put this second golf fable of the season in a far different league from the mystical, romantic The Legend of Tommy Morris (Forecasts, Sept. 2)
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Think of this short novel by best-selling thriller writer Patterson (Hide and Seek, LJ 12/95) and journalist de Jonge as a cross between It's a Wonderful Life and a masculine version of Sleeping Beauty. On Christmas Day, Travis McKinley is playing golf when suddenly he acquires perfect vision for the putt. In a zone, he plays brilliant golf and misses Christmas dinner with his family, where things are already rocky. The wife he adores wants to leave him, and he doesn't know why, although it may be because working 30 years in an advertising job he hates has strangled his growth and enthusiasm. When he's fired, he is liberated to see whether he really can play professional golf. Travis qualifies for the Professional Golfers Association Senior Tour, and it changes him and his family forever. Buy this for all the middle-aged male golfers who still have the spark of a dream left in them, as well as for those who've given up.?Marylaine Block, St. Ambrose Univ. Lib., Davenport, Iowa
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The only good thing you can say about this book is that it is extremely short. Seriously you'll finish it in an hour and half at most. If you can withstand the boredom to stick with it that long that is.
I think if Patterson hadn't already made a name for himself as a sensational author, and the publishers didn't know anything with his name on it would be eagerly snapped up by readers, then it would have been returned to him in the mail with a letter of rejection.
There's no story here, or miracle for that matter. It's just the tale of a guy named Travis McKinley who is having marriage problems and gets fired from his job who follows his dream of playing professional senior citizen golf. Nothing exciting happens along the way, the book is just a description of a few different golf games he plays in. If you're really into golf this may be for you but if you're not give this one a miss. Patterson's other books however are brilliant, buy them instead.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I found this to be a very unsatisfactory read. It was predictable and did not inspire any sense in me of caring about the characters. Thankfully it was short, although perhaps its brevity is what prevented the plot and characters being developed sufficiently. At any rate, my reaction after reading it was essentially, "so what?"
By akapipe
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you're now wondering what life has in store for you and you love golf, pick up this book. James Patterson again hits the nail on the head about life and what really counts over the long term; sure golf is all encompassing at times but family and your loved ones; that's what really matters and this book helps to put it all in the right perspective.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heartwarming storry for golf nuts
Great read. Loved the way the main character's golf dreams and life collide. Great for any golfers who dream the dream.
Published 8 months ago by S. White
5.0 out of 5 stars
17th Green
This book came to me in very good condition. Was everything I expected in the company I was dealing with. Will be dealing with this company in the future.
Published 20 months ago by Mr. David C. Wood
4.0 out of 5 stars
Golf conquers all.
This small novella, is a total departure from Patterson's typical works. The writing style doesn't even match. However, I found the story very enjoyable. Read more
Published on Sep 22 2003 by William J. Tennison
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Miracle on the 17th Green is about a man in his earlyn50s that is married with three kids. He has always played golf from the age of nine with his grandpa. Read more
Published on May 23 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unbelievable, wonderful little story
I had this book on audio, purchased because it was cheap and it was by James Patterson and I figured it would kill three or four hours in the car. Read more
Published on Dec 20 2002 by Katie Cauthen Francisco
5.0 out of 5 stars
As cheesy as it sounds, it's a feel-good book.
Having just finished Cradle and All, I decided to go for something a little more light hearted. I found this one, and the story sounded a little corny, but I was still interested... Read more
Published on Aug 14 2002 by Jason Marsell
4.0 out of 5 stars
A 'feel good' book with a life lesson...
In my quest to read all of James Patterson's books, I stumbled across this one in a bargin book store. Read more
Published on July 13 2002 by Rochelle
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Feel-Good Tale About Life
You don't have to like golf to enjoy this feel-good tale that is a small slice of The American Dream. Read more
Published on July 2 2002 by Debby Caruso
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Nice, Light Summer Vacation Book
This is the first James Patterson book that I have read. Soon I will start the Alex Cross series, but after reading some of the great classics of English Literature I needed an... Read more
Published on Jun 19 2002 by 10kbizarredad
5.0 out of 5 stars
Humorous, Emotional and Perfect.
I enjoy the fast paced novel that makes you feel good. And this work by James Paterson is just that. A touching story of mid life and love lost. Read more
Published on Sep 17 2001 by Anthony Sunclades
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