The Eternal Summer: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Hogan in 1960, Golf's Golden Year

Jacket Description/Flap: Was there ever a year in golf like 1960? It was the year that the sport and its vivid personalities exploded on the consciousness of the nation, when the past, present, and future of the sport collided. Here was Arnold Palmer, the workingman's hero, "sweating, chain-smoking, shirt-tail flying"; Ben Hogan, the greatest player of the fifties, a perfectionist battling twin demons of age and nerves; and, making his big-time debut, a crew-cut college kid who seemed to have the makings of a champion: twenty-year-old Jack Nicklaus. And of course, the rest: Ken Venturi, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Doug Sanders, Gary Player, and the many other colorful characters who chased around a little white ball--and a dream. Would Palmer win the mythical Grand Slam of golf? Could Hogan win one more major tournament? Was Nicklaus the real thing? Even more than an intimate portrait of these men and their exciting times, The Eternal Summer is also an entertaining, perceptive, and hypnotically readable exploration of professional golf in America. Review Quotes: "Moving, vivid, and funny . . . never a dull moment . . . The Eternal Summer is the most enjoyable book on any subject I've read in a long time." --Jack Purcell, Jr., publisher, Southern Links "This book should be in every golfer's library."--Ben Wright, CBS-TVReview Quotes: " Moving, vivid, and funny . . . never a dull moment . . . The Eternal Summer is the most enjoyable book on any subject I've read in a long time." --Jack Purcell, Jr., publisher, Southern Links " This book should be in every golfer's library." --Ben Wright, CBS-TVBiographical Note: Curt Sampson, a former professional golfer, is the author of six other books, including Hogan, Full Court Pressure, The Masters, and Royal and Ancient. Sampson lives in Bristol, Texas, with his wife and two children. Marc Notes: Originally published: Dallas, Tex.: Taylor Pub. Co., c1992. Publisher Marketing: Was there ever a year in golf like 1960?It was the year that the sport and its vivid personalities exploded on the consciousness of the nation, when the past, present, and future of the sport collided. Here was Arnold Palmer, the workingman's hero, "sweating, chain-smoking, shirt-tail flying"; Ben Hogan, the greatest player of the fifties, a perfectionist battling twin demons of age and nerves; and, making his big-time debut, a crew-cut college kid who seemed to have the makings of a champion: twenty-year-old Jack Nicklaus. And of course, the rest: Ken Venturi, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Doug Sanders, Gary Player, and the many other colorful characters who chased around a little white ball--and a dream. Would Palmer win the mythical Grand Slam of golf? Could Hogan win one more major tournament? Was Nicklaus the real thing? Even more than an intimate portrait of these men and their exciting times, The Eternal Summer is also an entertaining, perceptive, and hypnotically readable exploration of professional golf in America." Review Citations:

Booklist 05/15/1992 pg. 1655 (EAN 9780878337880, Hardcover)

Library Journal 05/01/1992 (EAN 9780878337880, Hardcover)

Publishers Weekly 05/18/1992 (EAN 9780878337880, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Sampson, Curt Curt Sampson is a veteran writer and former golf professional whose other books include "THE ETERNAL SUMMER, THE MASTERS", and " ROYAL AND ANCIENT BLOOD, SWEAT AND FEAR AT THE BRITISH OPEN". He has written for numerous publications, including " PLAYBOY, GOLF MAGAZINE", and " SPORTS ILLUSTRATED". He lives in Bristol, Texas. Contributor Bio:  Jenkins, Dan Dan Jenkins is the author of several novels and nonfiction books, including Rude Behavior, Semi-Tough, and Fairways and Greens. He is the sponsor of his own charity golf tournament, The Dan Jenkins Goat Hills Partnership, which attracts players from around the world. His column in "Golf Digest" remains its most popular feature. Jenkins divides his time between Fort Worth, Texas, and New York City.