Tom Coyne
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tom Coyne is an American writer and professor. Coyne has published two books, A Gentlemen's Game and Paper Tiger as of 2006. A Gentlemen's Game was adapted into a full length film starring Gary Sinise and Dylan Baker. Coyne attended Notre Dame University, and then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[edit] A Gentlemen's Game
Tom Coyne's first novel was A Gentlemen's Game, which was a coming of age novel chronicling the life of a young golfer and his father. The book featured a thirteen year old who struggles with accepting the lying and cheating that occurs in the world. The boy must also keep secret a handgun that he and his friend stole from the friend's father at a sleepover. The also rides his bicycle out to see a landscaper who was the only player to not defend their U.S. Amateur title. The landscaper allows the boy to hit range balls one of his worker takes from a driving range, and explains to the boy that he quit the game because he cheated on the last hole of the Amateur Championship. The landscaper, played by Gary Sinise in the film, committed suicide when driving back from the championship because he could not live with himself winning after cheating.
[edit] Paper Tiger
Paper Tiger is a true story about Tom Coyne's journey into the world of professional golf. Coyne's odyssee would include leaving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to live in Florida. Coyne would enlist the help of swing doctor Dr. Jim Suttie and go through rigorous weight training in preparation. Coyne would also seek sports psycholigist Doctor Robert Winters to help fulfill his dream. Coyne would go from a 15 handicap to a plus, but would not play well enough to gain entrance to stage one of the PGA Tour's qualifying school. Coyne would play numerous mini-tour events, including a Nationwide Tour event, and play against teenage golfing phenomenon Michelle Wie in a Public Links qualifier.
