Take equal parts of the practical mysticism in The Legend of Bagger Vance, the humanity and poignancy in any of Larry McMurtry’s Texas-based novels, and the rollicking, golf-infused tales of Dan Jenkins and you have some idea of what Bud Shrake was trying to accomplish when he penned Billy Boy. Sadly, this book is not as original as Bagger Vance, nor does it rise to the level of craftsmanship and insight of McMurtry at his best. And it certainly has none of the humor that Jenkins brings to everything he writes. Still, Billy Boy is a modestly affecting coming-of-age story and one that was, on the whole, pleasant to read.

Set in Fort Worth during the early 1950s, in this novel we spend a few months with 16-year old Billy, who is orphaned and left to provide for himself as a caddie at Colonial Country Club, where Ben Hogan still roams the fairways. Assisted by Hogan and two other legendary figures in Texas golf history—John Bredemus (who reportedly died five years before) and Harvey Penick—Billy confronts his rich, arrogant arch-rival in a four-hole match for honor, a girl, a lot of cash, and the right to remain at the club. Of course, all of this is fairly standard “haves vs. have nots” stuff based on class and social conflicts. Nevertheless, the ending, while both predictable and a little contrived, is sweet and satisfying enough to redeem the reader’s effort. ( )