Playing From the Rough is a great book written by a retired engineer and avid golfer. Jimmie James is on quest to play 100 United States golf courses i one calendar year. Although the focus of the book is on golf, you do not have to a an of the sport to enjoy the story..
Playing From the Rough is more a memoir than a sports book. James recalls in vivid detail his impoverished childhood in a ramshackle house with several siblings and virtually no money. The house was void of electric power and heat and located at the bottom of a hill below a sawmill.
Throughout the book James chronicles his rags to upper middle class riches replete with stories of a PE teacher giving him three swats with a paddle everyday because if did not have the "proper" clothes for class.
Despite his struggles James earns his way to college, graduates and begins a slow climb up the executive ladder at Exxon.
James affability and willingness to reach out to strangers helps him secure admission to golf courses that heretofore wound not allow a black man to play.
Typically, a story like this might evoke pity from the reader, however Playing From the Rough prompted me to feel deep admiration for James and his accomplishments. Besides being a very good golfer, and well thought of executive, James is an excellent story teller.