Tom Coyne
Encyclopedia
Tom Coyne is an American writer and professor. Coyne has published three books, A Gentleman's Game, Paper Tiger, and A Course Called Ireland as of 2009. A Gentleman's Game was adapted into a full length film starring Gary Sinise
and Dylan Baker
. Coyne attended the University of Notre Dame
, and then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
where he is now an English professor at Saint Joseph's University
.
in the film, tried to commit suicide when driving back from the championship because he could not live with himself winning after cheating.
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 psychologist Dr. 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.
The resulting book was published by Gotham Books, and released on February 19, 2009.
Gary Sinise
Gary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
and Dylan Baker
Dylan Baker
Dylan Baker is an American actor, known for playing supporting roles in both major studio and independent films.-Early life:...
. Coyne attended the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
, and then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
where he is now an English professor at Saint Joseph's University
Saint Joseph's University
Saint Joseph's University is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic Jesuit university located partially in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia and partially in Lower Merion Township and located in the Pennsylvania Main Line, Pennsylvania, United States.The school was founded in 1851 as Saint...
.
A Gentleman's Game
Tom Coyne's first novel was A Gentleman'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 his U.S. Amateur title. The landscaper allows the boy to hit range balls that one of his workers 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 SiniseGary Sinise
Gary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
in the film, tried to commit suicide when driving back from the championship because he could not live with himself winning after cheating.
Paper Tiger
Paper Tiger is a true story about Tom Coyne's journey into the world of professional golf. Coyne's odyssey would include leaving Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
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 psychologist Dr. 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
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
's qualifying school. Coyne would play numerous mini-tour events, including a Nationwide Tour
Nationwide Tour
The Nationwide Tour is the developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour, and features professional golfers who have either failed to score well enough at that level's Qualifying School to earn their PGA Tour card, or who have done so but then failed to win enough money to stay at that level...
event, and play against teenage golfing phenomenon Michelle Wie
Michelle Wie
Michelle Sung Wie is an American professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour. At age 10, she became the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur championship. Wie would also become the youngest winner of the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links and the youngest to qualify for a LPGA Tour event...
in a Public Links qualifier.
A Course Called Ireland
Coyne's next project took him to the links courses of Ireland; not just to play some rounds but to play the country itself. Coyne walked around the perimeter of the Republic and Northern Ireland, without the use of any transportation, playing the courses en route: 36 courses, 648 holes, over 2,000,000 yards.The resulting book was published by Gotham Books, and released on February 19, 2009.