THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED

I watched this last night on Star Movies. A really inspiring movie. It's a golf drama based on a true story. Synopsis from imdb.com posted by tollini:

This is a story of golf in the early part of the 20th century. At that time, it was the game of upper class and rich "gentlemen", and working people could only participate by being caddies at country clubs. With this backdrop, this based-on-a-true-story unfolds with a young, working class boy who takes on the golf establishment and the greatest golfer in the world, Harry Vardon. And the story is inspirational. Against all odds, Francis Ouimet (played by Shia LaBeouf of "Holes") gets to compete against the greatest golfers of the U.S. and Great Britain at the 1913 U.S. Open. Francis is ill-prepared, and has a child for a caddy. But despite these handicaps, Francis displays courage, spirit, heroism, and humility at this world class event. And, we learn a lot about the early years of golf; for example, the use of small wooden clubs, the layout of the short holes, the manual scoreboard, the golfers swinging with pipes in their mouths, the terrible conditions of the greens and fairways, and the play not being canceled even in torrential rain.This film has stunning cinematography and art direction and editing. And with no big movie stars, the story is somehow more believable.

I really loved the story, so many lessons in one movie: a mother's love and encouragement, perseverance, believing in oneself, beating the odds, and friendship. While watching this movie, it's apparent that people succeed in life through encouragement from family, support from people who truly care, and hard work. There were several times when Ouimet gave up the game but because people believed in him and his talent, he pushed on and became legendary.

Shia LeBeouf played a great role as Francis Ouimet. But it was young Josh Flitter playing Eddie Lowery who made my day. He was so cute with his quips and his side comments. He was sooo cute I wanted to pinch his chubby cheeks. Anyway, the real Ouimet and Lowery became great friends and have remained friends until Ouimet's passing in 1967.

I really loved watching this movie. I think this deserves a second look. And yes, I did cry at the end of the movie. A good 5 minutes. =D

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And while we're at it...

From Wikipedia:

Francis Ouimet (May 8, 1893 – September 3, 1967) was an American golfer. He is widely known for winning the 1913 U.S. Open, and was the first American elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. His father was a French-Canadian immigrant and his mother was an Irish immigrant.

Ouimet won the 1913 U.S. Open as a 20-year-old amateur playing at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, where he used to caddie, playing against Britons Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. Ouimet's victory after an 18-hole playoff against Vardon and Ray was widely hailed as a stunning upset over the strongly-favored Britons.

He also won the U.S. Amateur Championship twice, in 1914 and 1931. He played on the first eight Walker Cup Teams and was Captain of the next four for a team record of 11-1. In 1951 he became the first American elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and in 1955 was the first-ever winner of the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf.

Ouimet has been named to every Golf Hall of Fame, and has a room named after him in the USGA Museum. He remained an amateur for his entire golf career.

Francis Ouimet

With caddie Eddie Lowery.