cover image Chasing the Dream: A Mid-Life Quest for Fame and Fortune on the Pro Golf Circuit

Chasing the Dream: A Mid-Life Quest for Fame and Fortune on the Pro Golf Circuit

Harry Hurt, III. Avon Books, $24 (288pp) ISBN 978-0-380-97307-1

Hurt was a star golfer at his prep school and in his freshman year at Harvard, but he gave up the game to become a journalist. In 1995 at age 43, however, he resumed his links career with the twin aims of breaking 72 and of playing on the Pro Tour. That year he failed to make the cut at the PGA qualifying school, shooting a disappointing 81, but in November he won his first money as a pro, $92, in the 40+ Tour of Florida. He achieved his first goal with shots to spare when he won a tournament at Heathrow in Orlando with a 68. But readers who think of emulating Hurt will be brought up short by his balance sheet: earning $1,030 for his first year as a pro, he paid out almost $100,000 for travel, lodging, equipment, entry and greens fees and medical expenses. Even the articles Hurt sold to Sports Illustrated about his experiences could hardly have covered those expenses, but he has resolved to press on anyway. Golfers with the same dream and the same deep pockets may be inspired, but others will find this a pedestrian effort. 40,000 first printing; author tour. (May)