Some books work because of the timing that they were released. Some books are timeless. Some books just don’t work. The reason that “Bud Sweat and Tees” works is two-fold. First, the cast of characters including PGA golfer Rich Beem and caddy Steve DuPlantis were an excellent choice. Second, the author lucked out that Rich Beem had a little success.
The idea behind “Bud Sweat and Tees” is following a PGA Tour rookie during his first season. Most rookies endure all kinds of trouble – lack of money, inexperience on “the lifestyle”, golfing new courses for the first time, trying to get invited to tournaments, frustration… the list could go on and on. Rich Beem isn’t your typical PGA rookie. Without trying to ruin too much in the book – by the way, can one really spoil a book in which the subject matter is ten years old at this point – “Bud, Sweat, and Tees” follows Beam and Duplantis in their turbulent time together.
Rich Beem is the son of a golf professional and former struggling PGA golfer. He never showed much interest in golf at a young age although when he did, he was clearly a prodigy. During his early 20s, he meandered in and out of golf playing in mini-tours and giving up golf to focus on relationships before eventually making a run at qualifying for the PGA Tour at their annual “Q School.”
Steve Duplantis is a former college golfer who realized he didn’t have the talent to make it as a professional golfer, but had an innate ability to caddy. For those of you who think caddying consist of carrying a bag and cleaning golf clubs, this book shows you that there really is a skill to being a good caddy. After moonlighting with many pro’s, he finally gets a chance with one of the PGA’s best golfer’s at the time – Jim Furyk. Since caddies usually make a percentage of the professional’s winnings each week, the quality of golfer that you can caddy for definitely makes a different. Duplantis hits it big with Furyk who has been in the top 20 for PGA yearly earnings every year except one for the past 13 years. Unfortunately, Duplantis’ partying and wild life get in the way of his profession and Jim Furyk lets him go.
Looking for a “loop” (caddying term for a golfer to caddy for), Duplantis finds tour rookie Beem who has unprecedented success with Duplantis. Unfortunately, Beem also engages in Duplantis wild lifestyle. It makes for some interesting reading.
Many of you remember Rich Beem from winning the 2002 PGA Championship over Tiger Woods at Hazeltine in Chaska, MN. This book actually came out a year and a half before Beem won that major. You don’t need to be a fan of golf to enjoy this book. My brother-in-law Ross and I have a theory that it’s really hard to mess up a “year in the life of…” sports books. This one ranks right up there with “Ball Four” among the all-time greats. Check it out.
