Two Years in St. Andrews

Two Years at Home on the Old Course

By: George Peper

Narrated by: Fleet Cooper

The Old Course at St. Andrews is to golfers what St. Peter's is to Catholics or the Western Wall is to Jews: hallowed ground, the course every golfer longs to play - and master. In 1983 George Peper was playing the Old Course when he hit a slice so hideous that he never found the ball. But in looking for it, he came across a For Sale sign on a stone town house alongside the famed eighteenth hole. Two months later he and his wife, Libby, became the proud owners of 9A Gibson Place.

In 2003 Peper retired after twenty-five years as the editor in chief of Golf magazine. With the younger of their two sons off to college, the Pepers decided to sell their house in the United States and relocate temporarily to the town house in St. Andrews. And so they left for the land of golf - and single malt scotch, haggis, bagpipes, television licenses, and accents thicker than a North Sea fog. While Libby struggled with renovating an apartment that for years had been rented to students at the local university, George began his quest to break par on the Old Course.

Their new neighbors were friendly, helpful, charmingly eccentric, and always serious about golf. In no time George was welcomed into the local golf crowd, joining the likes of Gordon Murray, the man who knows everyone; Sir Michael Bonallack, Britain's premier amateur golfer of the last century; and Wee Raymond Gatherum, a magnificent shotmaker whose diminutive stature belies his skills.For anyone who has ever dreamed of playing the Old Course - and what golfer hasn't? - this book is the next best thing. And for those who have had that privilege, Two Years in St. Andrews will revive old memories and confirm Bobby Jones's tribute, "If I were to set down to play on one golf course for the remainder of my life, I should choose the Old Course at St. Andrews."

©2006 Kevin Pappas (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Great golf book

Any additional comments?

There are so few good golf books. It's almost like authors think golfers will buy anything about golf. Most just insult our intelligence. This one is great. George Peper actually lived at St. Andrews and gives us an incredible inside look into the Holy Grail! Thanks George! I loved your book.

For golfers, worth a listen

I listened to this because I have a golf trip to St. Andrews coming soon. It was useful from that perspective since it gave the author’s opinions and insights on several of the courses in the area (Old, New, Himalayas putting course, Jubilee). The local characters in the story are fun, as are the stories about the R&A and other golf clubs in the area. If you’re looking to develop a “what to do in St. Andrews” list for things besides golf, this is not the best book for you.

By the way, the reader is great, even when he mispronounces Furyk, Anika, Stableford, Medinah, and Elin!

Great Story with a hint of Self Satisfaction

I enjoyed so much about this book. First and foremost the narration. It brought life to all the people you encountered. It made me want to have that life.

The only downside to me of this book is the fact that the author (an Ivy League elitist) so smugly had to interject his political views into the book when they were so clearly out of place and not needed to advance the story in any way.

I guess he just had to let everyone know that he and his wife so disapproved of President Bush in the wake of 9/11. While many people I am sure will find that to be an added bonus I found it a turn off. I wanted to listen to this book for many reasons. But political commentary was not one of them.

Perhaps it was his way of alleviating his guilt over being the ultimate privileged white male.

That said it is a fine book that does allow one to dream of escaping to simple life. Even if that simple life requires a lot of money.

Enjoyable story and narration

Certainly makes one want to visit St Andrews and surrounds with or without the golf.
Excellent narration.

New title: I'm George Peper, and I'm Sooooo Important

The first third of this book was good, because it was all about St Andrews and the life they were experience. Then it turns into George Peper telling us just how important he is, how all the clubs want him, all the people he knows, how he stayed in Jack Nicklaus' home. Real letdown.

Name dropping at its finest

If you are into a listen just dripping with utter pomposity, then by all means...just constant name dropping mixed with sanctimony over the top.
Don't waste your money.

Self-indulgent

As a former ex-pat myself living in the UK, I was embarrassed by how self-indulgent and at times, cringe-worthy sexist, the author appeared to be. I was hoping to enjoy learning more about The St. Andrews community and culture and instead the author spent the vast majority of the book talking about his own golf game and name dropping. I’m sure his intent was well meaning but the book needed a strong editor!

False Humility and Political Statements

ruined what could have been a pretty good book. the performance was good except for the glaring pronunciation errors. For example, Jim Furyk pronounced as Jim "Furk". if it had only been a few of these, it would be no big deal; but there were quite a few. His Scottish accent was very good, but his attempt at a Georgia or Texas drawl were not even close. it was clear the author did not care for George Bush. I wanted to listen to a book about St Andrews and the Old Course, not his political beliefs. lastly, the author spent way too much time discussing his achievements in which he attempted to disguise his boasting with humility, which in my opinion, anyone could see right through. Yes, there were parts I enjoyed; unfortunately, the parts I would have like to skip outweighed the the parts I enjoyed.