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Between Clubs | 
 enlarge | Author: John Ochwat
Publisher: Amazon
Category: Book
Buy New: $0.00
Rating:  29 reviews
Format: Download: Pdf
Media: Digital
Pages: 8
ASIN: B00124CO6Q
Publication Date: December 31, 2007
Availability: Available for download now
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
When Otis Muldoon landed a golf scholarship at prestigious Marcus Aurelius University, it seemed like a chance to trade his union card in for a chance at a better life and maybe the PGA tour. Two years later, his better life involves butting heads with teammates from better homes and country clubs, and scraping by thanks to his best friend. When his friend is kicked off the golf team after a high-stakes golf match, it leaves the team in disarray, and Otis confronting falling Hummers, opponents bent on revenge, and possibly the most odious golf novel ever written. All of which has him ready to abandon his dreams and go home. Yet at the season-ending conference championships, he's also forming new alliances with a cheese-obsessed Norwegian, a teammate haunted by a hockey goon, and even a drunk on the bus. As he leads his team into contention, he may have a shot at winning the tournament and more importantly, at finding a way to belong in the world.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
I lapped this one up May 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Okay, I admit it. I'm a sucker for golf stories. This is the first one I've ever seen dealing with the college golf scene, which all by itself practically guaranteed I'd read it through no matter how rough the mechanics of the writing were. Happily, the author is very competent. Errors were few and far between, and none were of the "I'm a rank beginner" variety.
The narrator, whose name is Otis, is also on the team and his acute eye for detail drew me in from the first word. This opening is long on tell and short on show, but what the hey, Otis is watching the final holes of a qualifying round preceding the weekend's match, and the players aren't saying much. They're too busy trying to win.
On the green is Otis' friend and roommate, Roberto. Roberto lost confidence in his putter and hasn't made the last three matches, but here he somehow drops his lame duck putt to win by a stroke and it's off to Las Vegas for the weekend match.
To date, the entire cast hasn't been on stage, but those who have are well drawn. There's arrogant team captain Paul Sloan, whose convertible has a motorized trunk and who's as obnoxious as you'd expect a rich preppie to be; laid back coach Stony, whose idea of how to settle conflict is to drop two balls and whoever hits it closest gets things his way; and of course Roberto and Roberto's club pro brother Cesar.
The excerpt ends too soon, but I'd bet a bundle John Ochwat has a sizzler of a plot waiting for his readers. I'd definitely pick this one up if I saw if on a newsstand.
Please publish soon February 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
because I want to keep reading this this elegant, spare novel that probes the emotional costs of class in the U.S. during late capitalism. The gaming tables and the game of golf represent two faces of class mobility (or the lack thereof). Will Roberto golf his way out of the working class? If so, will his victory ring as hollow as the trunk slamming on the narrator's aged Honda? The American Dream is alive, but not well.
 Beyond Clubs February 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
While not a golfer myself, I find the sport interesting to watch and enjoyed the characters here. The words are well-written and the story is engaging. It was descriptive enough to put me into the story while using my own imagination, too. I look forward to being able to read the entire novel.
Flowing prose; easy writing style: February 17, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was intrigued by the title of John Ochwat's novel and expected to read about society mavens in search of the ultimate clubbe experience. Of course, the title refers to a golfer who hasn't got the exact club for the precise distance needed to reach the green on his/her next shot. The particular golfers involved, Otis and Roberto, are presented in opening paragraphs in a way that makes the reader want to know more about them and be a part of their efforts. Trapped 'between clubs' requires adjustment to achieve a goal...perhaps Ochwat's metaphor for the struggles Otis and Roberto face in their young, uncertain lives. The writing style is flowing, natural and women readers will not be put off by a lot of posturing and testosterone one might otherwise associate with male athletes whose efforts (early on) simply 'skate past the hole' like a wayward three-foot putt. I look forward to learning more about how their lives unfold and the game of golf is Ochwat's perfect venue from which to view a well-written 'slice' of life!
fun read for a non golfer February 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Not being a die hard golfer like so many, I was a bit apprehensive about what the book would be about. But love the writing style (love the wit)and has already made me smile. Looking forward to reading more as the characters are amusing and seems that this will be a fun read.
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