Feherty : the remarkably funny and tragic journey of golf's David Feherty

Feherty The remarkably funny and tragic journey of golf's David Feherty

John Feinstein

Book - 2023

"The definitive biography of enigmatic golfer, commentator, and performer David Feherty--one of the most universally beloved figures in the game. John Feinstein, who has spent four decades finding intriguing sports characters and narratives and turning them into classic books, chronicles the life and career of David Feherty. The two have known each other for years, beginning with Feinstein's work on A Good Walk Spoiled, researched and written at a time when Feherty was an excellent player, who won five times in Europe and was on the '91 Ryder Cup team, but also a functioning alcoholic. In retirement from the game, Feherty has sobered up, while his golf world persona has only grown in stature. Feherty is now a grand ambassador... for golf, a man who is feted by US Presidents and respected by every big name in the game. Feinstein tells hilarious true tales about Feherty's time in the limelight and interactions with stars such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Payne Stewart, and Seve Ballesteros. He also details Feherty's struggles with alcoholism, the death of his son who was lost to addiction, and the highs and lows of Feherty's marriages. Feinstein captures the human being behind the athlete, and his triumphant rebound as a golf commentator after his athletic career fell apart. Feherty is fall-down-funny, self-deprecating, and a lifelong underdog who has thrived as a commentator and television interview host, and most recently as a touring standup comic, using the difficult experiences of his life as a source for humor and understanding, which Feinstein mines with an expert's touch."--Publisher.

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Subjects
Feherty, David
Golfers > Northern Ireland > Biography.
Sportscasters > Northern Ireland > Biography.
SPORTS & RECREATION / Golf.
Biography.
Biographies.
Genres
Biography
Biographies
Published
New York, NY : Hachette Books 2023
Language
English
Main Author
John Feinstein (author)
Edition
First edition
Item Description
Includes index.
Physical Description
vii, 264 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 24 cm
ISBN
9780306830006
  • Introduction
  • 1. Early Days
  • 2. Following the Dream
  • 3. Ryder Cup
  • 4. Anita
  • 5. TV Finds Feherty
  • 6. New Life
  • 7. One Step Forward …
  • 8. Stardom
  • 9. Another Stage
  • 10. Steps Backward
  • 11. Welcome to LIV
  • 12. Back to the Future
  • Epilogue
  • Acknowledgments
  • Index
Review by Kirkus Book Review

An affectionate portrait of the popular Northern Irish golfer and commentator. Interviewing numerous people in Feherty's orbit as well as the man himself, prolific sportswriter Feinstein profiles his good friend in an engaging biography. He nimbly chronicles his subject's early years in his usual crisp, polished prose. A child of the Troubles, Feherty dropped out of school to work on his golf game. His first marriage was "a terrible mistake" and "a nine year hostage situation," and he seemed to be always fighting a self-destructive streak. In 1986, he won his first tournament, the Italian Open, pocketing 23,227 pounds for the win. Feinstein describes Feherty during these years as a "functioning alcoholic." He won the BMW Championship in 1989 and captained Ireland's Dunhill Cup team in 1990. Another win got him on the 1991 European Ryder Cup team. Feherty's career was on the rise, but his marriage was crumbling. He admits to Feinstein that subconsciously he really didn't want a major championship--fearing "what would have come if I'd won." He joined the PGA tour and married again before retiring to become a golf announcer for CBS. He also began hosting a golf show with Gary McCord, where his unique brand of humor was refreshing, but he "still struggled with addiction and depression." Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus conspired to get him on the road to recovery. He began writing for Golf Magazine, got his own show on the Golf Channel, wrote a book, and started Feherty's Troops First Foundation. Many observers were shocked when he decided to join the Saudi-backed LIV tour. Feherty wasn't particularly happy in his current position and was mourning his son's overdose death, and LIV offered him a highly lucrative deal. Feinstein doesn't criticize him, but he does rip into the "silly" Masters' rules and "troubling history with minorities." Terrific personal anecdotes pepper the text, providing both frivolity and insights into the game. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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