Freddie & Me

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

By: Tripp Bowden

Narrated by: Scott Pollak

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.

Amazing book!

This is one of my favorite golf books, it is a love story between a boy and the game of golf, fueled by the wisdom of a caddy master, who acts more like a compass than a caddy in his life. Be prepared to shed a tear or two as the story unfolds and the boy grows up and realizes the impact that, seemingly uneducated caddy, had in his life.

Simply Tremendous

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

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