The Edict: A Novel from the Beginnings of Golf

Renowned "golf architect" Cupp's love of the game, plus loads of hooks, slices, mulligans and flying divots give his debut a charming and suspenseful flair. In 15th- century Scotland, golf is popular among commoners and noblemen alike, but no one swings a club better than young shepherd Caeril Patersone. Caeril and his best friend and clubman (caddie) Micael Carrick are favored to win the annual championship tournament at St. Andrews. But a devious nobleman who has made a bad wager and his crooked moneylender set out to orchestrate an upset by enlisting Eta, the beautiful daughter of a debt-ridden family, to distract Caeril during the match. If that scheme fails, they also have a more ruthless and final solution to their problem. Caeril, Micael and Eta must act fast to save their lives, but the nobleman has one more trick to protect his wager: he must convince the king to ban golf, thus canceling the tournament before it concludes. (This true but short-lived event occurred March 4, 1457.) How the Scottish golfers prevail adds much to this lively and colorful tale of playing golf with someone who refuses to lose. (May)