Freddie & Me

Life Lessons from Freddie Bennett, Augusta National's Legendary Caddie Master

By: Tripp Bowden

Narrated by: Scott Pollak

Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

A former Augusta National caddie recounts the invaluable life lessons he learned from the late Freddie Bennett, the fabled club's legendary caddie master.

Though he was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, home of fabled Augusta National and The Masters, as a child Tripp Bowden was too young and too removed from the game of golf to realize what Augusta National really was, what it meant to his town and the world and the sport; its history, nostalgia, prestige and secrecy. All the 10-year-old Bowden knew about golf was that it was a stupid game that took up too much of his father's time, and that he'd much rather kick around a soccer ball or stay home and read a book. But all that changed once Bowden's father, a renowned local doctor, introduced him to one of his patients, Freddie Bennett, the legendary Augusta National caddie master.

Though Bowden was a White child of considerable privilege and Bennett was an older Black gentleman of more modest means, the two formed an unusual bond. It was Bennett who introduced Bowden to the game of golf, a sport that would one day earn him a Division 1 golf scholarship and lead him to the final stage of a British Open qualifier. But it was the lessons Bennett taught the young Bowden off the course that had their profoundest impact on his life. Through Freddie and his particular brand of homespun wisdom, the author learned invaluable lessons about personal responsibility, hard work, and respect for others regardless of age, race, or religion. He also learned that there's much more to life than just playing golf.

Like the best sellers Tuesdays with Morrie and Seasons of Life before it, Freddie & Me is a heartwarming tale of two unlikely friends and their uncommon bond forged through sport.

©2009 Tripp Bowden (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Great parables of life from a caddy’s perspective

Enjoyable and fun read that will delight golfers, as well as Mark Twain enthusiasts with some good old corn-pull sayings, like “as quiet as a rat pissing on cotton”!

Outstanding. Must listen for any Masters fan.

I finally won the lottery to buy Masters tickets after over 25 years of trying and ever since getting the notification, I've listened to every book I can find on the world's most famous golf tournament. This is my fifth read and by far my favorite. It's a wonderful story with a great narrator, bringing the reader into a magical time, and place. In addition to an interesting coming-of-age, story, the writer paints a vivid picture of what it's like to be behind the scenes at Augusta National. This is not just a portrait of the club during the tournament, but a portrait of what happens year-round and from a much different perspective. I really enjoyed the chapter where Freddie shares his local knowledge of the course when driving Tripp around hole by hole prior to him beginning his caddying journey.

I plan on giving it another listen a week or two prior to my long-awaited trip to Augusta. Also, if I have time on the journey, I'm going to visit the grave of the great Freddie Bennett and pay my respects.

This is an awesome listen and highly recommended.

Mark in Austin, TX

Favorite book of all time.

Excellent story!! I had a chance to meet Tripp at a Member/Guest a few years back when he was promoting the book. I read it then and just listened to it again. Loved it again, maybe more with the brilliant narrator. If you love golf or just great stories, get this.

Simply Tremendous

Took me back to my youth. Great tribute to a great man.

JA Cook
Caddy Master, Preston Trail, Dallas, TX 1987-88

Best audiobook experience so far

I just finished Freddie and Me, and I’ll be listening to it again.. a first for me!Excellent story; well written and masterfully narrated. This audiobook is worth every penny and will not disappoint!

Incredible book and story

This was an incredible book and Story. I initially got it because I love golf and the Masters specifically. But there’s so much more to the story. So many things a person can relate to from their own childhood. Absolutely fascinating story and worth reading.

Fantastic

This one was a stellar read! Not exactly what I expected but exactly what I needed. Couldn’t recommend higher.

Loved every minute

Two likable characters, and a palace of intrigue. Any golf nut will love it, heck, even people who’ve never played the game will

Surprisingly Engaging

I listened to this book on a road trip after giving 2 other books about 7 minutes each before switching to another book. With this one, before I knew it, an hour had gone by! The narrator did a good job at adjusting his voice slightly during conversation parts, I didn't feel rushed and it didn't drag on either. You don't have to know or even care about golf to appreciate this book (although I suspect those who do will love this book whereas I really liked it.) The story is broken up well enough that you can listen to it in pieces if you want to. The story is easy to follow and I became so invested in the author and his mentor that I was truly bummed when the book was done.

Freddie parts are great the rest is narcissistic

A ride on what sounds like a great man’s coattails. For all that this man did for you, you can’t find the time to go to his funeral. Hard not to have mixed feelings while listening to this book of Freddie and Tripp.