An accomplished LPGA player recalls her days as an unlikely student of a living legend and the priceless lessons he taught her.
As a collegiate golfer in the 1980s, rising star Kris Tschetter was fortunate enough to gain membership at Shady Oaks, one of the best courses in Texas, where Ben Hogan was a member. There was an unwritten rule at the Don't bother Mr. Hogan. But when the master of the game observed Tschetter's constant presence on the driving range, he offered to help her with her swing. And a unique friendship began.
Despite Hogan's enigmatic reputation, Tschetter reveals a very different side to golf's elder statesman. On the links, he began to recall some of his fondest memories, telling his new student about his fifty-year romance with his wife, Valerie, and sharing other poignant details about his life. After Tschetter turned pro, Hogan came out to watch her play at Fort Worth's Colonial Country Club-the last professional round he watched in person. Mr. Hogan, the Man I Knew is a stirring memoir of a champion's final chapter and a friendship between two very different people who shared the same passion.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.