The Greatest Game Ever Played Quotes

“... The only difference between realizing a dream and losing oneself in fantasy [is] backbreaking work.”
― Mark Frost, The Greatest Game Ever Played

“Jack, you can't go to school, you promised Francis you'd be on his bag tomorrow [for the 1913 US Open] Eddie whispered harshly.
'I know I did -'
'You can't do that to him, he's counting on you.'
'They caught me fair and square, Eddie, what am I supposed to do?'
'You're supposed to live up to your promises.'
'I can't do it, Eddie,' said Jack. 'Francis'll catch on with somebody else, you'll see. He'll be all right.'

Eddie remained unconvinced, but nothing he said could change Jack's mind. Before he went to bed, Eddie changed the bandage on his foot; there was a fair amount of blood soaked into it. He examined the wound and decided it would stand up to what he was about to put it through. It would have to. As he lay there restlessly trying to sleep that night, Eddie Lowery, tough and tenacious beyond his size and years [10 years old], had already made up his mind that it didn't matter what his brother decided to do.

Both Lowery brothers weren't going to let down Francis Ouimet.”
― Mark Frost, The Greatest Game Ever Played

“In the sleepy village of Lower Newton Falls, as they had promised their mother they would do the night before, the Lowery brothers [ages 12,10] rose early, ate their breakfast, packed their books, and headed straight for school. When a mile later they reached the turn in the lane that led to the schoolhouse, only Jack Lowery took it; Eddie [the younger brother] stopped and handed Jack his book bag.

'I'm not going,' said Eddie.
'What are you talking about?'
'I'm going to the [Brookline Golf] club,' said Eddie. 'If you had any guts you'd come with me.”
― Mark Frost, The Greatest Game Ever Played

“The game caught on with the East Coast's upper crust like birthday cake; it was fun, it was outdoorsy, it could be, if socially required, coeducational, and it nearly qualified as exercise.”
― Mark Frost, The Greatest Game Ever Played

“This was a game won and lost between the ears. Over the years Harry had watched more than a few players with physical skills superior to his own come and go; his illness had made sure of that. It had also given him an advantage no one could counter: Harry had fallen straight down into hell and clawed his way back. He’d never met any man with the tenacity of will to endure what he’d gone through and still compete in this game at the highest level. He’d never imagined it was possible. This had always been the secret knowledge that held him up as he worked his way back to the top, the final ace up Harry Vardon’s sleeve: No one can match my nerve.”
― Mark Frost, Greatest Game Ever Played, The: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf

“Luck is nothing more than the residue of hard work,”
― Mark Frost, Greatest Game Ever Played, The: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf

“796.352’09—dc21 2002068930 FIRST PAPERBACK EDITION Paperback ISBN: 978-0-7868-8800-9 EPub Edition © 2010 ISBN: 9781401381868 10 9 8 7 6”
― Mark Frost, Greatest Game Ever Played, The: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf