Southern Charm From Augusta’s Caddie Master
By BILL PENNINGTON
A lot of books have been written about the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club, but few if any have the authentic dialect of Freddie & Me (Skyhorse Publishing).
The story of the author Tripp Bowden, the son of a local doctor, who became the first full-time white Augusta National caddie; and Freddie Bennett, the club’s legendary African-American caddie master, is partly a tale about life behind the walls of secretive Augusta National. The delight of this book is the personal narrative of an unlikely friendship begun when Bowden was 10. In beguiling interactions, Bennett delivers his homespun wisdom, imparting lessons about responsibility and respect as Bowden matures into a college golfer and later an advertising executive.
Told at a quick pace with short chapters, the book reads fast, but the messages are meant to last. There’s the occasional overkill of weighty insight, but it’s a fun ride, and the caddie-shack language is priceless.
Missing the Masters already? Freddie & Me will fix that.More Praise for Freddie and Me:
“Freddie and Me: Freddie is Bennett (not Couples) the long time Augusta National caddy master. He befriended Bowden, white son of a local doctor, and taught him plenty about the club, the Masters, golf and life.” Golf Digest Book Review, 6 Notables
“In Freddie and Me, Tripp Bowden chronicles their 30-year friendship, weaving an insightful story of how Bennett helped mold him into the man he is today. Bowden offers several little known tidbits about the club, providing a glimpse at Augusta National as you’ve never seen it.” Golf World “Tripp Bowden tugs at the curtain of golf’s Oz to give us a unique glimpse of Augusta National, but more stirring is the account of his relationship with a one-of-a-kind mentor.” The San Diego Union Tribune
“Wonder what the odds are that on the cover of the book, which was released eight days before the tournament started, would depict not only the eventual 2009 Masters champion, but show him playing the hole he would win the tournament on in sudden death?” The Augusta Chronicle
“Freddie and Me is a unique and entertaining look at Augusta National through the eyes of the club’s first full time white caddy, and nearly as good as the back nine on Masters Sunday!”
Rick Arnett, host of The Teebox Golf Show, Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket, and columnist for myavidgolfer.com.“You don’t have to like golf, understand golf or play golf to enjoy this book. All you need is a brain and a heart and the memory of being young and unfocused, then finally achieving the sudden and defining clarity that comes at the end of the blurry years. Reading this book is like putting on a good pair of glasses.” The Calhoun Times
“I can’t recall if I ever before read a golf book, or any other book for that matter, that kept a smile on my face for almost the entire time. It’s a fine memoir of a man who deserved one, and a good coming-of-age story as well. I highly recommend it.”
Frederick Schrank, member of Golf Writers Association of America, holebyhole.com“Get ready at the end for a few tears or at least a little lump in the throat. Even though you know the inevitable is coming, you still can't control that emotion. Why is that? It's because Bowden has drawn us into his life and thus Freddie's life. He has made us care about the characters. We rejoice in their successes and mourn at their demise. The question Bowden wants each of us to answer is this: Who is the Freddie in your life?
Make sure you answer and thank him immediately after you finish this book.”
The Phoenix Golf Examiner“The best thing I read about No. 15 — Firethorn — was printed in Tuesday’s Augusta Chronicle. An excerpt from the book Freddie and Me: Life Lessons from Freddie Bennett, Augusta National’s Legendary Caddy Master written by former looper Tripp Bowden said: “You got a guy up here with 3-wood in his mind, then put it in his hand. Most folks playing Augusta National know they won’t be coming back. They know it’s the chance of a lifetime. So don’t ever tell ’em no, even if you’re sure they couldn’t get there with a bazooka. Don’t ever tell anybody to lay up on the chance of a lifetime.” St. Cloud Times
“Augusta, Georgia is known for hosting what many call the greatest golf tournament in the world, The Masters. But very few know of the legendary Freddie Bennett, the Augusta National Golf Club Caddy Master whose lessons of life written through the eyes of his friend Tripp Bowden are sure to capture you heart.” New England Golf Monthly
