Caddy For Life: The Bruce Edwards Story

Rating:
Summary: Need for golf groupies
Review: Being a professional golf groupie, I have known Bruce Edwards since he joined the tour with Tom Watson. This is an absolute must read for you if you love the inside stories of the professional tour. John Feinstein's writing style take you on a wonderful, behind the scenes tour of what being involved in the PGA is really about. Before you actually read the book, read the acknowledgements at the end of the book so that you have a flavor of how difficult this was to write. Truly ... one of the best books written and read!

Rating:
Summary: Never Ever Give Up
Review: Being an Avid Golfer, I was drawn by this story of courage under the face of the biggest adversity a person could ever face, knowing you are going to die. This story is a touching tribute to Bruce Edwards, the long time caddy to PGA tour vetran Tom Watson and a tribute to Bruce as not only a great caddy but a great person as well. It is a story of two men who forged a freindship over the years that brought them "Closer than Brothers" and a tribute to the class and dignity in which Bruce displayed in facing ALS or "Lou Gehrigs" disease.
We never know if and when something devestating will hit us or someone we love, but Bruce Edwards shows that you can have dignity in dying and that the Human Spirit prevails in the worse of conditions. A must read right there with Tuesdays with Morrie!


Rating:
Summary: For the love of the game.
Review: Bruce Edwards was passionate about golf, and he realized at a young age that the itinerant life of a caddy was ideal for him. He worked mostly with one man, the great Tom Watson, who also became his lifelong friend. If Edwards had not been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease when he was in his late forties, this book would not have been written. However, in 2003, a doctor at the Mayo Clinic told Edwards that he had only a short time to live. "Caddy for Life," by John Feinstein, is the poignant, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting story of this courageous man.

Feinstein writes knowledgeably not just about Bruce Edwards, but also about the game of golf. When Edwards started out as a caddy, he worked for peanuts, and his living accommodations were spartan. It was only in later years that Edwards and other caddies gleaned substantial financial rewards for their efforts. People like Edwards completely changed the nature of caddying. Edwards studied each golf course thoroughly and took meticulous notes about every bump and ridge on each green. In many ways, a sharp and experienced caddy can raise a golfer's game to a higher level, and Edwards was one of the best caddies in the game.

"Caddy for Life" is, most of all, an emotional paean to the close friendship that developed between Tom Watson and Bruce Edwards. Since they went through so much during their almost thirty years together on various golf courses, Watson and Edwards knew and loved each other like brothers. Watson cried often in the days and months after Edwards told him the grim news about his fatal illness. Since then, Watson has done his best to raise awareness as well as funds for research that may someday lead to a cure for this horrendous disease.

Edwards's illness devastated his loved ones, including his parents and three siblings. What a cruel fate that a short time after Edwards proposed to the love of life, Marsha, he was diagnosed with ALS. However, he refused to shut himself in his room and brood about his misfortune. Edwards spent the rest of his life caddying with Watson to the best of his ability, and fighting the disease that was robbing him of his speech and his strength.

"Caddy for Life" is not only about the sadness of a man cut down in his prime. It is also an entertaining and often amusing account of how various golfers have struggled to tackle some of the most challenging courses in the world. Feinstein illustrates time and again that golf is as much a mental as a physical game, and few golfers have the psychological makeup to handle the pressure. "Caddy for Life" is an engrossing, moving, and informative look at the world of golf and at one particular individual who has left an indelible mark on the game he loved so much.

Rating:
Summary: For the love of the game.
Review: Bruce Edwards was passionate about golf, and he realized at a young age that the itinerant life of a caddy was ideal for him. He worked mostly with one man, the great Tom Watson, who also became his lifelong friend. If Edwards had not been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease when he was in his late forties, this book would not have been written. However, in 2003, a doctor at the Mayo Clinic told Edwards that he had only a short time to live. "Caddy for Life," by John Feinstein, is the poignant, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting story of this courageous man.

Feinstein writes knowledgeably not just about Bruce Edwards, but also about the game of golf. When Edwards started out as a caddy, he worked for peanuts, and his living accommodations were spartan. It was only in later years that Edwards and other caddies gleaned substantial financial rewards for their efforts. People like Edwards completely changed the nature of caddying. Edwards studied each golf course thoroughly and took meticulous notes about every bump and ridge on each green. In many ways, a sharp and experienced caddy can raise a golfer's game to a higher level, and Edwards was one of the best caddies in the game.

"Caddy for Life" is, most of all, an emotional paean to the close friendship that developed between Tom Watson and Bruce Edwards. Since they went through so much during their almost thirty years together on various golf courses, Watson and Edwards knew and loved each other like brothers. Watson cried often in the days and months after Edwards told him the grim news about his fatal illness. Since then, Watson has done his best to raise awareness as well as funds for research that may someday lead to a cure for this horrendous disease.

Edwards's illness devastated his loved ones, including his parents and three siblings. What a cruel fate that a short time after Edwards proposed to the love of life, Marsha, he was diagnosed with ALS. However, he refused to shut himself in his room and brood about his misfortune. Edwards spent the rest of his life caddying with Watson to the best of his ability, and fighting the disease that was robbing him of his speech and his strength.

"Caddy for Life" is not only about the sadness of a man cut down in his prime. It is also an entertaining and often amusing account of how various golfers have struggled to tackle some of the most challenging courses in the world. Feinstein illustrates time and again that golf is as much a mental as a physical game, and few golfers have the psychological makeup to handle the pressure. "Caddy for Life" is an engrossing, moving, and informative look at the world of golf and at one particular individual who has left an indelible mark on the game he loved so much.

Rating:
Summary: APPRECIATE EDWARDS' AND FEINSTEIN'S PASSION FOR GOLF
Review: Bruce Edwards's parents expected their son to attend college and to enter the medical field in a worthy career. After working as a caddy, Edwards took them by surprise with the news that he would seek a career as a caddy. Author John Feinstein tells us how Edwards eventually became the caddy for golf champion Tom Watson. Together, Watson and Edwards brought home many prestigious awards and titles.

After hearing Feinstein's audio book, listeners will discover it wasn't the material things that deemed caddying worthwhile for Bruce Edwards; rather, it was his personal, as well as his professional life in the golf world. Feinstein relays Edwards' relationships, especially with Watson, to show why Edwards was held in high regard by his friends.

The abridged edition goes behind the scenes of professional golf, but not in as much as the book version. Reading the book or listening to the audio, golf fans will appreciate Bruce Edwards's passion for golf, as well as Feinstein's dedication to writing about it, especially when it gets personal.

Rating:
Summary: Grace under Pressure
Review: Do you have a long-time friend who has made a big difference in your life? I hope so.

Bruce Edwards and Tom Watson have been blessed to have one another as friends for over 30 years. Mr. Edwards was Mr. Watson's primary caddy for all but four years of that time. They've supported each other through victory, defeat, family problems, and serious illnesses. Both are graceful men who want to help others and take responsibility for their own actions. That friendship became more important to both of them in 2003 when Bruce Edwards was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and they knew their friendship would soon be over. This book features the magnificent story of how both of them responded in uncommonly valiant and wonderful ways to this new challenge.

This book will be most appealing to those who have been caddies, fans of Tom Watson, those who know someone with ALS, people who value friendship and those who appreciate the potential of the human spirit to rise above the physical world.

Although this book is a memoir about Mr. Edwards, you cannot tell a caddy's story without talking about the people he caddied for so there's lots of golf history including Mr. Watson's famous chip-in at the 17th hole at Pebble Beach, his many British Open wins and keen insights into the character of many famous golfers (including Greg Norman for whom Mr. Edwards caddied for four years).

You will learn how Mr. Edwards decided upon caddying as a career. He had caddied at his home country club in Connecticut where a tour event was held annually, and loved caddying for a pro in that tournament. Having disliked the discipline of school, he enjoyed the freedom and camaraderie of the links. Upon graduating from high school, he persuaded his parents to let him try his hand at caddying for a year. At that time, there were few caddies who worked regularly on the tour. Mr. Edwards soon got Mr. Watson's bag . . . and kept it.

Naturally optimistic and positive, Mr. Edwards has always been generous in sharing those traits with other golfers . . . even Mr. Watson's opponents. You'll find out about the many times he helped Mr. Watson get an advantage that might otherwise not have been his.

Facing a near-term death sentence, Mr. Edwards soldiered on as best he could in the 2003 season. He made the best of his rapidly diminishing physical capabilities, and was generous in helping make others feel more comfortable around him. Mr. Watson responded by playing at the top of his game for a man his age so that he could share more success with Mr. Edwards. Mr. Watson also took on a crusade to raise money for ALS research hoping to help save Mr. Edwards' life. It's a beautiful, touching and memorable story.

The book's main weakness is that it is a little too much about Mr. Watson prior to 2003 and a bit too little about Mr. Edwards in those years as well. I would have liked to know more about Mr. Edwards' views on golf and caddying . . . and his advice for the rest of us.

If you don't have that long-time friend, you need to start looking.

I suggest that you consider giving this book as a gift to young people to help them understand how to build a meaningful, satisfying and contributing life.

Rating:
Summary: A truly great story about a truly courageous man
Review: Feinstein is my favorite author of sports books, and this is my favorite book. I am glad he decided to write this story. Any golf fan who watched the magical year of Watson and Edwards are familiar with that story, but Bruce Edwards' story goes beyond just that. The "Arnold Palmer of Caddies" is truly a remarkable man and his story is inspiring...and Feinstein nails it. He captures the story of this courageous and remarkable person and the battle he couldn't win. It is sad, yet inspiring. If you are a Feinstein fan or a golf fan, this is a great read.

Rating:
Summary: AN "IT'S ABOUT TIME" TRIBUTE TO A GOLF GREAT!
Review: For many years the professional golfer was the guy in the limelight on golf's center stage. That was it. Think about it. Can anyone name those who carried the bag for Jones, Hagen, Sarazen, Snead, Nicklaus, Player or Palmer? Unless you are a bookish expert on the undercover aspects of golf it is likely that you can't.

And then things changed. And who changed them? Almost magically we all became acquainted with Tom Watson's caddy, Bruce Edwards. He was always there and he brought an appropriate respect to those who, day in and day out, walked the courses with the golfers we admired.

It was Edwards' focus on being a caddy--a professional part of the game--that changed things. No longer just some person brought along to tote the bag, the caddie emerged as an essential partner in the process.

Today it is not uncommon for us to know the names of the caddies of many of the top pros on tour or to keep track of their activities. For example, wasn't it interesting that, just a few years ago, Tiger Woods' decision to replace Mike "Fluff' Cowan with Steve Williams as his caddy made almost headline news in the world of golf? It was equally interesting that we all cheered when Fluff resurfaced on Jim Furyk's bag and was there when Furyk seized his first major at the 2003 US Open. I think I correctly surmise that none of this would have ever made a paragraph in the news without the pioneering influence of Bruce Edwards.

It's important to remember, as well, that Edwards gained his notoriety BEFORE his being tragically stricken with ALS. This book is not the result of someone playing solely on the tragedy but an "it's about time" story of one of the great personalities of the game of golf.

CADDY FOR LIFE: THE BRUCE EDWARDS STORY is a must read for anyone who loves the game. Filled with anecdotes, perspectives and the story of arguably golf's first recognized caddy, the book is an essential addition to the library of any serious student of the game.

Rating:
Summary: Take it from a non-golfer... this book is a MUST!!!
Review: I am not a golfer. I don't play golf, watch golf or even play an impressive round of putt putt. This is the third Feinstein golf book I've read and probably the best. I was amazed not only by the power of the story but once again at Feinstein's writing power. I first experienced it when I happened upon my ex-husbands "A Good Walk Spoiled" and thought I'd read a few chapters until I got to the library to pick up something I wanted to read... 544 pages later I was fired up and completely engaged in the world of golf. Since then I have suggested that book to everyone I know who even has a mild interest in golf and many who don't. I was sitting in a hotel room in California when I saw on the news that Bruce Edwards had died. I immediately ordered "Caddy for Life". Feinstein had me hooked after the first page of the introduction. He has helped share the legacy of Bruce Edwards with a non-golfer like me. He treated Edward's life with dignity and compassion while giving the special gift of letting the reader meet the remarkable man which Bruce Edwards embodied. He will be missed not only on the golf green but also on this planet. Read this book... may we all be able to live a life as intentional and giving as Bruce Edwards.

Rating:
Summary: walked past this book in every airport but finally.....
Review: I like Feinstein's writing (especially his book about the US Open) but I didn't see a whole book on this subject. Finally stuck in an Omaha airport, I broke down. And it has been an enjoyable read. You really come to care for Edwards and appreciate his love of the game, his profession, the Tour atmosphere and Watson. It is a book that is hard to put down and one that is hard to leave behind once you are done.