John R. Corrigan Center Cut

Center Cut

John R. Corrigan

Since choking at the end of a tournament further placing his PGA card membership in jeopardy, golfer Jack Austin has played poorly as his confidence has tanked. Adding to his woes that his game is imploding, he fears he soon will have to play the satellite tour after ten years in the majors even without a single win.

As he begins to show signs of attaining par and feels ready top go head to head with Tiger or Phil, Jack notices that Lynn Ashley, wife of PGA player friend Grant, is seen in the company of Jack's married agent, Jim Dempsey. Not long afterward, someone kills Grant's caddy in what appears to be a drug deal turned ugly. Just after that Jim and Lynn announce they are leaving their respective families for one another. Nothing seems logical to Jack who is just starting to regain his game and does not need the distraction, but cannot help investigating although that places him in danger of missing the cut on the course and in life.

In his third golf mystery, John R. Corrigan aces the tale with a terrific look at the PGA coupled with an intriguing murder mystery. Jack is at his best as he makes mistakes about life, golf, and the who-done-it. His insight into his rivals, their caddies, and lastly their spouses is worth the price of admission. Because the characters are so fully developed especially Jack, fans of a strong sports mystery, not necessarily golf aficionados, will take the eighteen-hole tour and enjoy every hole.

University Press of New England, Jul 2004, $24.95

ISBN: 1584654058

Harriet Klausner