HONEST JOHN PINE

Wheeler’s historical novel, set in the pro-golfing world, weaves a tale about integrity, second chances, and the cost of doing the right thing.

“Honest” John Pine is a golfer whose story is the stuff legends are made of. Pine is a teaching professional in Iowa who, as the novel opens, finds that his wife, Evie, has left him and their 11-year-old foster child, Cora. Her departure transpires as Pine plans to drive to the Chicago area to compete in the 1941 U.S. Open golf championship—which he does, with Cora in tow, after stealing a set of golf clubs and writing a bad check. The bulk of the book is a detailed account of the golf tournament, where Pine, literally down to his last penny in his bank account, looks to pull off a miracle with the support of Cora and the help of his caddie, his longtime friend Dollar Bill Doolin. His first round is record-breaking, and he becomes a phenomenon, but his love for the game and his honesty complicate his efforts to take home the ultimate prize. Everything plays out with a bit of mysticism, including a lucky coin that keeps showing up at opportune times (“to look at it, it was nothing special”) and Pine believing that Cora has seen his golf mentor, Arliss Peters, at the Open, only to find out later that Peters had died before the tournament. Wheeler’s strength is creating memorable characters, starting with the precocious Cora and Pine, and including Doolin, Peters, and others who influenced Pine along the way. Some could be just throwaway supporting figures, but all are fully drawn and memorable. Golf is the focus here, with Wheeler deftly mixing real-life legends (Ben Hogan and Sam Snead among them) with Pine’s fictional narrative. Golfers will revel in these moments—and they and non-golfers alike will be swept up in Wheeler’s charming story, one filled with grit, heart, and a little bit of magic.

A warm, reflective novel with unforgettable characters.