Play Audiobook Sample
The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(4.01) - 601 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Renowned novelist and screenwriter Mark Frost turns his eye for golf to an event so famous that it’s grown to the stuff of legend. In 1956, a casual bet between two millionaires eventually pitted two of the greatest golfers of the era-Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan-against top amateurs Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi. Frost recounts this dramatic tale from start to finish, detailing the match that vaulted golf out of the shadows and into the national spotlight.
Download and start listening now!
"By the same author as Greatest Game Ever Played...this book details a somewhat mythical best ball golf match sad to have occurred at Cypress Point Golf Club in California between the top two professionals of the day Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson (although Nelson was retired from competitive golf at the time of the match) and then amateurs Ken Venturi and Harvy Ward. The book is interesting in the detail of the lives of each player, the match itslf and the events of the surrounding golf world such as the history of the "Crosby Clambake" played at Pebble Beach, Cypress and Spyglass that has now become the AT &T Pro Am. It also gives a good history of the origination of Cypress Point, how designer Allistar McKenzie (he also designed Augusta National) got his start thru the auspices of Marion Hollis, an accomplished female athlete and golfer who was the moving force behind Cypress Point. Cypress was McKenzie's masterpiece and thru his work there and his relationship with Marion Hollis met Bobby Jones. Jones was so impressed with Cypress Point that he asked McKenzie to design Augusta National. This 55 year old former surgeon then became one of golf's most recognized course architects."
— Skip (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“It’s difficult to beat a good golf book, be it a good yarn or a picture book…The golf is spectacular, the course more so, the descriptions luminous.”
— USA Today -
“Frost weaves an exceptional narrative…It’s a gripping tale—as good as James Patterson, John Grisham, or any other contemporary novelist could create. And all true. The match comes down to the eighteenth hole, and you’ll be the winner once you turn the last page.”
— Met Golfer -
“Frost…captures an elusive magic in this improbable matchup and what it meant for those who played and witnessed it.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Frost tells the gripping, shot-by-shot story of the incredible match…Best of all, he captures one of those fleeting moments in sports when competing athletes reach a kind of transcendent perfection simultaneously. Superb narrative nonfiction.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“The Match was a dream I never thought would come true. If I hadn’t been there I wouldn’t believe it myself, and if you know anything about sports or the game of golf, once you pick up this book you won’t put it down. No one will ever see an event like this again. Fiction can’t touch it.”
— Ken Venturi, retired profession golfer and golf broadcaster
Awards
-
A New York Times bestseller
The Match Listener Reviews
-
" Very well done. Tough to put this one down - even if you're not a golfer or fan of the game, you will enjoy this book. "
— Jeffrey, 2/19/2014 -
" I loved this one, but then I love most books about golf history. Written in a very readable sytle, it's the story of a real golf match and also the stories of the four players invloved. "
— Joan, 2/16/2014 -
" Fascinating & fun to read for those with an interest in the history of Golf. "
— Alec, 2/11/2014 -
" Great book, about friendship and redemption more than it is about anything else. The characters come to life. You don't have to like golf to like this book. "
— Randy, 2/1/2014 -
" Awesome, awesome book. Just like Frost's other golf books, you almost can't read it fast enough. The story has tremendous flow, the descriptions make it very easy to picture the round of golf being played, and just like 'The Greatest' it is a true story. Would make a great holiday gift for all the golf fans out there. Frost needs to come out with another golf history book now! As soon as i finished it i wanted to read it all over again so i could soak up more of the images and story. If you are a fan of Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, or golf in the 1950's then this book is perfect for you. "
— Geoff, 1/30/2014 -
" If your into golf its a must read! "
— Dylan, 1/24/2014 -
" A great golf story introducing four remarkable players around a little known but historic match. "
— Lee, 1/20/2014 -
" Enjoyable read, could not put it down. "
— Robert, 1/12/2014 -
" I loved this book. You need to like golf to read it and you need to appreciate old school golf! But I loved it! "
— Liz, 12/19/2013 -
" Very descriptive tale of a famous match between amateur golfers and legendary golfers that all started by a bet at a dinner party. There is a lot of character in the book as well as a bit of history on the course itself. Any golf fan should love this book. "
— Tyson, 12/6/2013 -
" I read this in one sitting. Well written, masterful storytelling. "
— Jim, 11/22/2013 -
" For a sports book, this was very good. Told an excellent story, both of the match in question as well as the lives of the four golfers who participated. If you like golf, this is worth reading. "
— Greg, 7/21/2013 -
" Good, light read. Frost does a very good job intertwining the "The Match" with the life stories of the four legends and some close friends. A story that was a little slow to begin but about half way through was a book that couldn't be put down. "
— Michel, 5/21/2013 -
" 1956. Hogan, Nelson v. Ward, Venturi. Best ball. Pebble Beach. Wow. "
— Doug, 5/6/2013 -
" Good if you like history and golf. "
— Crawford, 9/9/2012 -
" Excellent story! This was a great book and I learned a lot that I didn't know before. This book was great company in Mexico! "
— Ryan, 7/3/2012 -
" I loved reading about this great golf match. "
— Wally, 6/23/2012 -
" Good book and a great story. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone though - I think you have to be a golfer to truly appreciate it. "
— Laura, 5/18/2012 -
" This is one of the greatest golf stories ever written. A must read for all golfers. "
— Frank, 3/18/2012 -
" I was skeptical about this book when a friend gave it to me. But it is engaging and interesting and fun. Enjoyed it immensely. "
— Jared, 2/27/2012 -
" Makes me want to meet Harvie Ward...in the next life, of course. :) "
— Willie, 7/24/2011 -
" I was skeptical about this book when a friend gave it to me. But it is engaging and interesting and fun. Enjoyed it immensely. "
— Jared, 4/29/2011 -
" Very descriptive tale of a famous match between amateur golfers and legendary golfers that all started by a bet at a dinner party. There is a lot of character in the book as well as a bit of history on the course itself. Any golf fan should love this book. "
— Tyson, 4/27/2011 -
" Mark Frost is outstanding. A great read for any golfer, golf fan or even someone who just enjoys a good sports yarn. Excellent non-fiction sports writing. "
— Tad, 4/16/2011 -
" Good, light read. Frost does a very good job intertwining the "The Match" with the life stories of the four legends and some close friends. A story that was a little slow to begin but about half way through was a book that couldn't be put down. "
— Michel, 12/27/2010 -
" Great book, about friendship and redemption more than anything else. Characters come to life. You don't have to like golf to like this book. "
— Randy, 2/22/2010 -
" An excellent read, but strictly for golfers or fans of the game. <br/> "
— Jason, 1/19/2010
About Mark Frost
Mark Frost received a Writers Guild Award and an Emmy nomination for the acclaimed television series Hill Street Blues and was cocreator and executive producer of the legendary television series Twin Peaks. In 2005 he wrote and produced The Greatest Game Ever Played, a major motion picture based on his book of the same name. An avid golfer, Frost lives in Los Angeles and upstate New York with his wife and son.
About Richard Poe
Richard Poe, a professional actor for more than thirty years, has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including 1776 and M. Butterfly. On television he has had recurring roles on Star Trek and Frasier. His films include Born on the Fourth of July and Presumed Innocent. Poe is a well-known and prolific audiobook performer and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards.