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Mr. Hogan, the Man I Knew: An LPGA Player Looks Back on an Amazing Friendship and Lessons She Learned from Golf's Greatest Legend
Ben Hogan is known as the greatest ball striker of all time, and he was also one of the most private. These are the Hogan stories that you've never heard, stories that unlock the mystery to who he was as person.
As a collegiate golfer in the 1980's, Kris Tschetter was fortunate enough to gain membership to the prestigious Shady Oaks Country Club in Texas where Ben Hogan was a member. There was an unwritten rule at the Don't bother Mr. Hogan. But 18-year-old Tschetter was unaware of the spell he held over the golf world when she first passed him in the halls of Shady Oaks. Maybe it was Tschetter's work ethic, or maybe it was just her youthful enthusiasm, but Hogan noticed her practicing and offered to help her with her swing. And a unique friendship began.
By the time Tschetter met Mr. Hogan he was in his 70's and although his golf swing hadn't changed, his enthusiasm for the game had waned. The two spent countless hours practicing together on the "little nine" at Shady Oaks, and Tschetter saw a side of Mr. Hogan that few ever knew. While he taught her priceless lessons on golf and life, she helped him recapture his passion for golf by giving him the chance to take the journey all over again.
Mr. Hogan, The Man I Knew sets the record straight about this American icon,revealing his humor and sensitivity. It captures the magical connection that sometimes happens in life in a truly beautiful story about an unlikely friendship between two very different people who shared the same passion.
As a collegiate golfer in the 1980's, Kris Tschetter was fortunate enough to gain membership to the prestigious Shady Oaks Country Club in Texas where Ben Hogan was a member. There was an unwritten rule at the Don't bother Mr. Hogan. But 18-year-old Tschetter was unaware of the spell he held over the golf world when she first passed him in the halls of Shady Oaks. Maybe it was Tschetter's work ethic, or maybe it was just her youthful enthusiasm, but Hogan noticed her practicing and offered to help her with her swing. And a unique friendship began.
By the time Tschetter met Mr. Hogan he was in his 70's and although his golf swing hadn't changed, his enthusiasm for the game had waned. The two spent countless hours practicing together on the "little nine" at Shady Oaks, and Tschetter saw a side of Mr. Hogan that few ever knew. While he taught her priceless lessons on golf and life, she helped him recapture his passion for golf by giving him the chance to take the journey all over again.
Mr. Hogan, The Man I Knew sets the record straight about this American icon,revealing his humor and sensitivity. It captures the magical connection that sometimes happens in life in a truly beautiful story about an unlikely friendship between two very different people who shared the same passion.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 12, 2011
quick read. any hogan fan should read. then again, hogan fans are obsessive and read anything about him they can get their hands on.
November 19, 2010
What a lovely little book! Kris Tschetter is a professional LPGA golfer who just happened to become friends with the most iconic golfer of them all, the great Ben Hogan. This book chronicles their friendship which began in the 1980's and lasted until Hogan's passing in 1997. Tschetter shows us a warm, human side of Hogan that was generally hidden from the public by this very private man. She also goes into great detail about how Hogan became her teacher and reveals many of his thoughts on the game. What a treat for Hogan fans! This could be my favorite book I've read about my all-time favorite golfer (and I've read most of them). Charming.
October 3, 2017
I was drawn to this book because both Tschetter and I grew up in Sioux Falls.
Ben Hogan is known by many as... well, my friend calls him a "curmudgeon". I understand his need to protect his privacy, which explains much of that type of behavior.
Ben often wanted to talk about anything but golf. I find this to be an admirable trait. Ben didn't wish to constantly relive his successes.
Tschetter's story of their initial connection is endearing. What would it be like to have one of the greats help you with your swing? Mr. Hogan's sage advice undoubtedly contributed to Tschetter's success in the LPGA.
Mr. Hogan, the Man I Knew is an easy and enjoyable read.
Ben Hogan is known by many as... well, my friend calls him a "curmudgeon". I understand his need to protect his privacy, which explains much of that type of behavior.
Ben often wanted to talk about anything but golf. I find this to be an admirable trait. Ben didn't wish to constantly relive his successes.
Tschetter's story of their initial connection is endearing. What would it be like to have one of the greats help you with your swing? Mr. Hogan's sage advice undoubtedly contributed to Tschetter's success in the LPGA.
Mr. Hogan, the Man I Knew is an easy and enjoyable read.
July 27, 2018
This was a light read about a friendship between a collegiate golfer and Mr. Hogan that lasted the last 15 years of Mr. Hogan's life.
It was an interesting story of their friendship. Tschetter set the record straight to write about the gruff exterior and the soft interior of one of golf's greatest.
It was an interesting story of their friendship. Tschetter set the record straight to write about the gruff exterior and the soft interior of one of golf's greatest.
February 18, 2025
A truly captivating book that goes beyond the mechanics of the swing, revealing the depth of Hogan’s mind and character. Every golfer has dreamed of swinging like Ben Hogan, but this book reminds us that perhaps we also needed a friend like him along the way.
February 9, 2019
Really touching book that shows a side of Hogan that other biographies completely miss. Also includes some of the man's golf wisdom
September 21, 2021
For Hogan fans it's a beautiful, essential read
December 30, 2016
Golfers and fans will enjoy this memoir of former LPGA player Kris Tschetter's unlikely friendship with the most misunderstood golfer in history, Ben Hogan. The pages are sprinkled with Mr. Logan's golf tips, but it is the personal anecdotes and insight into the man behind the mystique that elevate this beyond "just another golf book."
April 14, 2014
I enjoyed reading the author's account of the time she spent with Ben Hogan. I think it has inspired me to spend more time practicing golf this year in a meaningfully different way than I have in the past.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews