Over the last few years, I’ve become a fan of a healthy little golf mystery series. Dr. Roberta Isleib invented a terrific character named Cassie Burdette, a struggling young golf professional with a penchant for involvement in murder-related mysteries. I don’t wish to bore you with details nor give away plot structure, so I suggest you read the books yourself. Dr. Isleib, a clinical psychologist by trade, knows both the human mind and the golf game beyond well, and does the requisite research (to supplement her training) to flesh out the books.

The latest tome arrived yesterday. It’s called Final Fore, and details young Cassie’s trials and travails at the US Women’s Open at The Orchards. The author weaves her character into the goings-on at real-world events, yet finds a way to make her the center of her own story, not THE story.

On to my points. In the acknowledgements section, I came across this recognition:
“My heartfel thanks go to all who helped me with this book … golf journalists Kiel Christianson and Joe Morelli for showing me the ropes …” HOW NICE! Kiel took time out from his busy TravelGolf blogging schedule to give an author some tips. I thought no more of it until I arrived at the conclusion of chapter 18. That’s when the trouble began. I’ll let Isleib take it from here:

–Good round, Cassie. You were pretty consistent. How did the course play out there today?

–Fabulous, really. The greens are softening up real nice for us after the rain yesterday.

–Does this round affect your thinking about the Buick Championship?

–I squinted to read the name on this reporter’s media pass. “I’m sure you’ve heard the same advice I have, Kiel,” I said with a smile. “One shot at a time.”

I WAS HORRIFIED. As if Bamberger’s spying and snitching on Michelle Wie weren’t enough. There were two sides to that story: supportive and unsupportive. NOW we have a real-world writer, one of us, entering the world of fiction to report on a fictional golfer. The reverberation staggers me. I was pleased to note that fictional Kiel did not make further intrusions into Cassie’s (or any other player’s) tournament preparation or execution, nor did he attempt to insinuate himself into the tournament.

I can only hope that he has emptied himself of the urge to garner the spotlight. Ha, ha. Now go read about Cassie Burdette. These books are great, and I cannot wait for the next one.

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