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Church of Golf: A Novel About Second Chances
Donald O. Gibson had it all. And then he screwed the pooch.
Donald and his fabulous blond hair found fame and success too easy and too early. He starred as a football player for the University of Maryland and brought his alma mater its first national championship. Out of college, he prospered as a celebrity salesman. But he took his good fortune for granted and his life went to hell. By his mid-forties, he’s deep in debt, drunk, lumpy around the middle and sucking for air.
Donald makes a life-changing choice when the aunt who raised him dies and leaves him a unique bequest: he can have her fortune and her house on Lanai, a tiny and unheard-of Hawaiian island, but only if he remains on the island for three years. He moves into what looks like a community of religious kooks and discovers that golf, his passion, is the village religion. For Donald, the way back looks like a tap-in putt. It turns out to be a slippery, downhill four-footer that runs thirty yards past the hole.
Donald resigns himself to years of involuntary quietude and is befriended by villagers from all along the spectrum of oddity. David Kalakaua, a descendant of Hawaiian royalty, insists upon being called 'King' and goose steps about the village golf course, demanding that he be worshipped. Wendy Walker, who lives in fear of fire and brimstone, preaches that God gave his only son so that Christians could chip and putt like champions. Ramona is a naive teen who can drive a ball two-hundred and sixty yards and, unlike most of the villagers, plays with competitive heat. Tina is Ramona’s mother and turns Donald in to her boy toy. And there is Bobby Joe Fu, a Chinese-North Carolinian-Baptist, former seminarian and failed touring pro – the village’s spiritual leader – who makes Donald’s rehabilitation his personal mission.
Church of Golf touches on themes every golfer will recognize: failure, hope, struggle and redemption. It also affirms what every golfer knows to be true: Learning to golf well is learning to live humbly.
Donald and his fabulous blond hair found fame and success too easy and too early. He starred as a football player for the University of Maryland and brought his alma mater its first national championship. Out of college, he prospered as a celebrity salesman. But he took his good fortune for granted and his life went to hell. By his mid-forties, he’s deep in debt, drunk, lumpy around the middle and sucking for air.
Donald makes a life-changing choice when the aunt who raised him dies and leaves him a unique bequest: he can have her fortune and her house on Lanai, a tiny and unheard-of Hawaiian island, but only if he remains on the island for three years. He moves into what looks like a community of religious kooks and discovers that golf, his passion, is the village religion. For Donald, the way back looks like a tap-in putt. It turns out to be a slippery, downhill four-footer that runs thirty yards past the hole.
Donald resigns himself to years of involuntary quietude and is befriended by villagers from all along the spectrum of oddity. David Kalakaua, a descendant of Hawaiian royalty, insists upon being called 'King' and goose steps about the village golf course, demanding that he be worshipped. Wendy Walker, who lives in fear of fire and brimstone, preaches that God gave his only son so that Christians could chip and putt like champions. Ramona is a naive teen who can drive a ball two-hundred and sixty yards and, unlike most of the villagers, plays with competitive heat. Tina is Ramona’s mother and turns Donald in to her boy toy. And there is Bobby Joe Fu, a Chinese-North Carolinian-Baptist, former seminarian and failed touring pro – the village’s spiritual leader – who makes Donald’s rehabilitation his personal mission.
Church of Golf touches on themes every golfer will recognize: failure, hope, struggle and redemption. It also affirms what every golfer knows to be true: Learning to golf well is learning to live humbly.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 13, 2015
Donald Gibson knows that crazy good luck is a fine thing to have in your pocket; what he learns is that you can't build your life expecting it. A former college football hero, Donald coasted on waves of luck and ease until middle age crept up; now he's broke, in a loveless marriage and pilloried as a lout. Perhaps because his luck has run out, Donald instead receives a blessing of an out: If he moves to La'nai (that's in Hawaii, Chumley), and lives on a golf course for three years, he'll inherit a fortune. He gradually learns the catch: he needs to become a fully grown-up human being, and this he fights with every fiber of his being. The growing pains are both adorable and painful because he's such an asshole. Unmoved by the term 'no,' this is a guy who thinks only of himself, makes scenes, swears in front of women and children. He doesn’t even fix the turf divots he makes. He pisses everyone off with his lying, littering, and impatience (and bandit golfing!). Even when he admits it, “...I act like the rules don't apply to me and I'm living in a magic bubble where I'm always right and stuff is never my fault” he's laughingly dismissing what someone else said about him. Slowly, under the influence of the tight-knit group of about a hundred islanders, Don evolves. From two elderly sisters he learns compassion, from Ramona the kid with the magic swing, he learns beauty, from unofficial ‘Kahuna’ Bobby Joe Fu he learns humility. VERDICT: Readers will truly care about how Don is going to become human because Stephens nimbly tells the story in imaginative language that draws on all five senses. Sparkly prose and a satisfying, uplifting message.
Find this review and others at Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal here. Copyright Library Journal.
Find this review and others at Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal here. Copyright Library Journal.
July 2, 2025
I don't know much about golf, but I do know something about second chances and good writing, and that's why I so enjoyed Spencer Stephens' novel, Church of Golf. You will, too, as you follow the story of Donald Gibson, a one-time college football hero, and now a guy who's down on his luck and messing up big time. In the skilled hands of this author, what happens when Donald is set to inherit a great deal of money, with the proviso that he spend three years on a remote Hawaiian island with a cast of characters whose religion is found on the links, is a story we all can relate to--because we can all relate to a tale of hope and redemption. And if you're a golfer, love a golfer, or even know a golfer, buy this book. It's well-written, fun, and moving, whether you know a putter from a driver, or Sam Snead from Tiger Woods.
July 12, 2015
Spencer Stephens in his new book, “Church Of Golf” published by Saint Pete Press gives us a novel about second chances.
From the back cover: Donald Gibson and his fabulous blond hair found fame and success too easy and too early. He starred as a football player for the University of Maryland and brought his alma mater its first national championship. Out of college, he prospered as a celebrity salesman. But he took his good fortune for granted and his life went to hell. By his mid-forties, he’s deep in debt, drunk, lumpy around the middle and sucking for air.
Donald makes a life-changing choice when the aunt who raised him dies and leaves him a unique bequest: he can have her fortune and her house on Lanai, a tiny and unheard-of Hawaiian island, but only if he remains on the island for three years. He moves into what looks like a community of religious kooks and discovers that golf, his passion, is the village religion. For Donald, the way back looks like a tap-in putt. It turns out to be a slippery, downhill four-footer that runs thirty yards past the hole.
A second chance is something that everyone gets, but only few actually are able to seize. Donald Gibson is not a nice fellow. Well at least he starts off that way. Through the course of the book he changes, mellows actually, and we begin to like him. It is interesting to see just how far down he has to go before he can begin to change and come back to life. But that is the idea of the book. My big complaint about this book is that it is rated “R” for the language. I had no idea of the volume of foul language that Mr. Stephens would inject into this book. If that will not bother you then you are certainly going to enjoy this ride.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Saint Pete Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Donald Gibson and his fabulous blond hair found fame and success too easy and too early. He starred as a football player for the University of Maryland and brought his alma mater its first national championship. Out of college, he prospered as a celebrity salesman. But he took his good fortune for granted and his life went to hell. By his mid-forties, he’s deep in debt, drunk, lumpy around the middle and sucking for air.
Donald makes a life-changing choice when the aunt who raised him dies and leaves him a unique bequest: he can have her fortune and her house on Lanai, a tiny and unheard-of Hawaiian island, but only if he remains on the island for three years. He moves into what looks like a community of religious kooks and discovers that golf, his passion, is the village religion. For Donald, the way back looks like a tap-in putt. It turns out to be a slippery, downhill four-footer that runs thirty yards past the hole.
A second chance is something that everyone gets, but only few actually are able to seize. Donald Gibson is not a nice fellow. Well at least he starts off that way. Through the course of the book he changes, mellows actually, and we begin to like him. It is interesting to see just how far down he has to go before he can begin to change and come back to life. But that is the idea of the book. My big complaint about this book is that it is rated “R” for the language. I had no idea of the volume of foul language that Mr. Stephens would inject into this book. If that will not bother you then you are certainly going to enjoy this ride.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Saint Pete Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
December 27, 2016
"‘Church of Golf"’, a debut work by Spencer Stephens is rightfully called -‘A Novel About Second ChancesÂ’ - something that everyone gets, but only few actually are able to seize.
Everyone met Donald Gibson character during our youth age – the most popular guy on college, fantastic football player, guy that every other envied. But 20 years later everything seems like a dream long gone, Donald ending up like numerous other failed cases, deep in debt, always drunk and without anything beautiful on the horizon.
But then the second chance came. His beloved aunt who raised Donald will die leaving him lot of money and big estate with only one condition - Donald have to spend next 3 years on Hawaiian island, in a community that worship golf as their religion. Most would think nothing easier, but Donald on the way to grab the opportunity of a lifetime would await something much more serious, something that will change him and his life completelyÂ…
Spencer Stephens with his debut novel wrote a piece that many will find familiar with, almost as if they know the main character and life difficulties which torment him. His novel unusually named "‘Church of Golf"’ speaks about motives which are familiar not only to any athlete and golfer particularly, but many man and woman of middle age as well.
I would not spoil the joy of reading with spoilers but I'’ll just say that message the author brought will stay in your memory for some time. Because of lesson it brought, story and style in general, reader will find time spent with Donald certainly interesting which make this Spencer Stephens story fully recommended.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for the purpose of unbiased review, while all the presented information is based on my impressions.
Everyone met Donald Gibson character during our youth age – the most popular guy on college, fantastic football player, guy that every other envied. But 20 years later everything seems like a dream long gone, Donald ending up like numerous other failed cases, deep in debt, always drunk and without anything beautiful on the horizon.
But then the second chance came. His beloved aunt who raised Donald will die leaving him lot of money and big estate with only one condition - Donald have to spend next 3 years on Hawaiian island, in a community that worship golf as their religion. Most would think nothing easier, but Donald on the way to grab the opportunity of a lifetime would await something much more serious, something that will change him and his life completelyÂ…
Spencer Stephens with his debut novel wrote a piece that many will find familiar with, almost as if they know the main character and life difficulties which torment him. His novel unusually named "‘Church of Golf"’ speaks about motives which are familiar not only to any athlete and golfer particularly, but many man and woman of middle age as well.
I would not spoil the joy of reading with spoilers but I'’ll just say that message the author brought will stay in your memory for some time. Because of lesson it brought, story and style in general, reader will find time spent with Donald certainly interesting which make this Spencer Stephens story fully recommended.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for the purpose of unbiased review, while all the presented information is based on my impressions.
January 3, 2015
After I read Church of Golf: a Novel about Second Chances by Spencer Stephens, I thought I’d give it a week before I wrote my review. I was still thinking about the book and the characters after a week, definitely a sign that I enjoyed the book while reading it and after a week, proof that I liked it.
Stephens’ first novel is one of those where I kept wishing I was on an airplane so I could have several hours of uninterrupted reading. What kept me coming back and making time to read was Donald Gibson, the main character. He was believable; he was someone we all know and I really liked him. Donald was big man on campus in his college days and then winds up becoming a car salesman bragging about his football days in college. This is his day-to-day life until his aunt who raised him, passes away and leaves him her multi-million dollar estate with one caveat – live 3 years in Hawaii in a golfing community. A golfing community? Donald thinks it’s a hole in one and quickly moves to Hawaii and meets Kuhuna and the members of the Church of Golf where he will be residing.
No spoiler alerts here – get the book. This light hearted story has a deep heartfelt message and it’s one that rings true no matter who you are or what your life.
Stephens would do well on book number 2 to have a little editing and perhaps tone down his descriptive language which tends to be a little verbose. Not sure the F-bomb was needed quite so much, it didn’t detract from the story, but it didn’t add to it either. All in all, well done and looking forward to more from this author.
Stephens’ first novel is one of those where I kept wishing I was on an airplane so I could have several hours of uninterrupted reading. What kept me coming back and making time to read was Donald Gibson, the main character. He was believable; he was someone we all know and I really liked him. Donald was big man on campus in his college days and then winds up becoming a car salesman bragging about his football days in college. This is his day-to-day life until his aunt who raised him, passes away and leaves him her multi-million dollar estate with one caveat – live 3 years in Hawaii in a golfing community. A golfing community? Donald thinks it’s a hole in one and quickly moves to Hawaii and meets Kuhuna and the members of the Church of Golf where he will be residing.
No spoiler alerts here – get the book. This light hearted story has a deep heartfelt message and it’s one that rings true no matter who you are or what your life.
Stephens would do well on book number 2 to have a little editing and perhaps tone down his descriptive language which tends to be a little verbose. Not sure the F-bomb was needed quite so much, it didn’t detract from the story, but it didn’t add to it either. All in all, well done and looking forward to more from this author.
January 16, 2015
A wonderful book, especially for a debut novel! The main character, Donald Gibson, is laughably narcissistic! You want to hate him, but he is just so over the top, you can't! And by the end of the book, you will fall in love with him! There are also several strong female characters who are very well-portrayed. I especially loved Tina - a Patron-drinking single mom who knew exactly what she wanted and got it. By the way, you don't have to know how to golf or be especially religious (the "Church" part of the title) to enjoy this book. I only play putt-putt golf, and the "religious" part of the book is more about redemption/change/a second chance than religion per se. Read this book!
January 5, 2022
Fixes Your Game for Sure
Reading this, at first, made me uncomfortable: Donald is a deeply unlikable man who is never a hero. But, as a golfer who has lived from anguished competitor to retired golfer, all that Donald learns on the course rings true, echoing my own experience. Change the names, and this is -- hopefully -- my story. Bless you, Kahuna!
Reading this, at first, made me uncomfortable: Donald is a deeply unlikable man who is never a hero. But, as a golfer who has lived from anguished competitor to retired golfer, all that Donald learns on the course rings true, echoing my own experience. Change the names, and this is -- hopefully -- my story. Bless you, Kahuna!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews