An American Caddie in St. Andrews

Growing Up, Girls, and Looping on the Old Course

By: Oliver Horovitz

Narrated by: Oliver Horovitz

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the middle of Oliver Horovitz's high school graduation ceremony, his cell phone rang: It was Harvard. He'd been accepted, but he couldn't start for another year. A caddie since he was 12 and a golfer sporting a 1.8 handicap, Ollie decided to spend his gap year in St. Andrews, Scotland - a town with the UK's highest number of pubs per capita, and home to the Old Course, golf's most famous 18 holes - where he enrolls in the St. Andrews Links Trust caddie trainee program.

Initially, the notoriously brusque veteran caddies treat Ollie like a bug. But after a year of waking up at 4:30 a.m. every morning and looping two rounds a day, Ollie earns their grudging respect - only to have to pack up and leave for Harvard.

There, Ollie's new classmates are the sons of Albania's UN ambassador, the owner of Heineken, and the CEO of Goldman Sachs. Surrounded by sixth-generation legacies, he feels like a fish out of water all over again and can't wait to get back to St. Andrews. Even after graduation, when his college friends rush to Wall Street, Horovitz continues to return each summer to caddie on the Old Course.

A hilarious, irresistible, behind-the-scenes peek at the world's most celebrated golf course - and its equally famous caddie shack - An American Caddie in St. Andrews is certain to not only entertain golfers and fans of St. Andrews but also anyone who dares to remember stumbling into adulthood and finding one's place in the world.

©2013 Oliver Horovitz (P)2013 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Horovitz shares his deeply felt memories of golf, girls, and the academy boldly, never taking himself too seriously or being irreverent about the caddie tradition on the time-honored Old Course links." ( Publishers Weekly)

Fabulous read

There is nothing to dislike about this story. If you love golf and enjoy getting up early to watch the Open Championship on TV, you will love this listen. Five stars!!

good story. took 2 chapters to get into it

For the first two chapters I thought Ollie's voice was a little too monotone. however he later starts to do more voices as more characters appear.

Golf to the max.

If golf is in your heart and you appreciate the nuances of the game, this book is for you. Golf Nerd Was Here.

In My Top Ten of All Time! And I don't golf!

Would you listen to An American Caddie in St. Andrews again? Why?

Absolutely. Authentic. Genuine. Sweet.

What was one of the most memorable moments of An American Caddie in St. Andrews?

Meeting with the Caddy Master, Rick, to ask his permission to make the documentary.

What does Oliver Horovitz bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His own narration is priceless--with the accents! I'd never get that in the written version!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both.

Any additional comments?

Beautifully written. Thank you, Ollie!

hilarious!

Great story about Ollie's seasons of caddying at St. Andrews. Lots of laughs. Totally enjoyable.

If You're into Golf You Can't Help but Love this 1

Great stories about the most cherished course in the world. Enjoyed it from start to finish. Hope to make the trip across the pond and play this gem one day.

Great listen

I got this book since the Open was being played at St Andrews this week and wanted to get a flavor for what it is like being a caddy there. I wasn’t expecting it to be more than just a collection of stories about the course and golfers. This story is so much more. Uncle Ken and Henry are two “characters” that, intertwined with the golf, make this a great story of friendship, love and respect for those who have done so much for us to be able to just worry about our golf game. Absolutely worth a listen. And I wish I could see what “Rick” looks like. The voices Ollie does truly make this book.

Great read and listen

I initially read this book, and loved it! It is so much better on audio, which solidified its position as one of the best golf stories ever

Original and inspiring

Excellent story telling. Voice changes to represent characters is funny and adds to the picture in the listeners mind. Inspires one to plan a golf trip to StA’s!

Very entertaining

I really enjoyed this book anyone who has played and loves St Andrews will enjoy this book.