Book Review by Jeffrey Reed:
A Passion for the Game
Author: Tom Lehman

2006 Ryder Cup U.S. Team captain, Tom Lehman, knows all about adversity. After joining the PGA Tour field in 1983, the Austin, Minnesota native lost his card at the end of 1985. He teed it up all over Asia and South Africa before returning to the U.S. and the Nationwide Tour, winning three times in 1991 and earning Player of the Year honours.

Five short years later, Lehman captured the 125th Open Championship, won the season-ending Tour Championship, and for a brief time claimed the World No. 1 spot. One of the most highly respected PGA Tour members, Lehman has been a member of Ryder Cup, Dunhill Cup, World Cup and Presidents Cup teams.

More importantly, this father of four and husband to wife, Melissa, is a spiritual man who sees the big picture of life. Now, in his new book, A Passion for the Game, Lehman is able to share with an even bigger audience a wonderful collection of timeless stories, wisdom, inspiration and motivation on golf and life. His book includes 160 pages of personal stories, quotes from golf legends, 40 paintings from award-winning artist Donny Finley, and great colour photos that jump off the pages.

A Passion for the Game is a warm, feel-good book not just for the golfer, but for anyone in search of hope and the meaning of life. It all sounds dramatic, but this book really does relay Lehman’s message of strength and determination. In total, 31 chapters, including The Power of Friendship, and Success Is a Journey, are sure to inspire you to greatness.

Lehman has a passion for life. He writes, "I want to give my very best. It’s the only way to live!" From that same chapter, he quotes golf legend Byron Nelson: "Perhaps the strongest ingredient in the makeup of a champion is patience." This type of quote interaction is common throughout the book, driving home Lehman’s message of giving your all no matter what the circumstances.

If ever there was a book determined to motivate a Ryder Cup team, this is it. A Passion for the Game is sure to motivate you, too, whether or not you golf. But as Arnold Palmer is quoted at book’s end, "I can sum it up like this: Thank God for the game of golf."

A Passion for the Game, written with Lance Wubbels, is a beautiful collector’s edition book, personally signed by Lehman, and leather bound with gilt edges. It even includes a framing print of the cover image by Finley.

The book is available for $100 US plus shipping and handling at www.apassionforthegame.com. 

A Passion for the Game
by Tom Lehman
Bronze Bow Publishing
ISBN 1-932458-35-2
$100 US