Frost’s Book Brings Bobby Jones to Life

There’s an old saying that sequels can seldom top an original. But author Mark Frost hits a hole in one with ‘The Grand Slam: Bobby Jones, America, and the Story of Golf,’ which he discussed last Thursday night before a captivated gathering at Village Books (1049 Swarthmore). Frost’s latest work comes two years after he published ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Story of Modern Golf,’ a riveting account of the 1913 United States Open in Brookline, Massachusetts. ‘While I was researching that book I learned that Francis Ouimet had a dramatic influence on Bobby Jones’ career,’ Frost recalled. ‘In fact, without Francis, Bobby might have given up the sport completely.’ Revisiting the life and career of a golfing icon, ‘The Grand Slam’ tells the tale of Jones’ historic grand slam when he won the British Amateur Championship, British Open, U.S. Open and finally the U.S. Amateur Championship over a span of four months in 1930. ‘What Bobby did that year was so remarkable,’ Frost said. ‘In my opinion, it’s the single greatest achievement in the history of the sport, even greater than Tiger Woods winning four consecutive majors.’ ‘Mark is a really great storyteller,’ said Palisadian Richard Abrams, who attended the book signing and had Frost autograph several copies. ‘I haven’t read this one but I read the first one and his style is terrific. He really puts you in the moment.’ Abrams is a six handicap golfer and plays four days a week at Riviera Country Club. Asked what he admired most about Jones after hearing Frost talk, he said it was Jones’ love of the game. ‘As great a player as he was, Bobby never made a cent playing golf’ Frost said. ‘And when he was stricken with a life-threatening disease, he gracefully told a friend ‘In our game, you play the ball where it lies.’ He was never bitter and didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him.’ An avid golfer himself, Frost dedicated ‘The Grand Slam’ to his wife, Lynn, and their 16-month old son, Travis. Frost recently finished producing a Disney movie of ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played,’ expected to be released next year. Signed copies of Frost’s books are available at Village Books: 454-4063.