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“The Swinger” Tells a Tiger’s Tale

by Jeff Skinner

“The Swinger” hits the bookshelves today and no, it’s not going to help you with your swing.  But it will give you some laughs and keep your interest peaked. It’s a novel by prominent golf journalists Michael Bamberger (Sports Illustrated) and Alan Shipnuck (Sports Illustrated) that chronicles the downfall of the world’s richest and most celebrated athlete, Herbert X. Tremont.

“Tree” as he is nicknamed, has the world in the palm of his hand.  He is the most well known athlete in the world, is the best golfer on the planet by far, earns hundreds of millions of dollars in endorsements, is married to a beautiful bikini model, hobnobs with titans of industry and even calls the President of the United States his buddy.  His picture perfect life is shattered by the revelation that he is a serial philanderer and has been having sexual affairs with women, lots of women.  From porn stars to the waitress at his local diner, his interior designer, his college aged next door neighbor, cocktail waitresses and anyone else he could work his charm on. He was more than a “player.”  He was, as the authors call him “The Swinger.”

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it.  Yes, this is a behind the scenes tale of the fall of Tree Tremont.  Any resemblance to Tiger Woods is purely coincidental, yea right.  The names have been changed to protect the guilty and also to keep Bamberger and Shipnuck from being sued.  For the life of me I can’t imagine how many hours the lawyers had to spend on this “novel” to make sure they were safe from litigation.

Yes, it is a novel, fiction for sure after all who would believe that Tiger Tree could have affairs with 342 different women while being one of the most well known faces on the planet and win a dozen major championships at the same time

So, fiction it is but it has all the players that we know so well.  Tree is Tiger.  His gorgeous wife and mother of his two children is Belinda.  Notice that “elin” is right in the middle of her name.  His agent is Andrew Finkelman or “Finky” as Tree calls him.  Tiger’s agent is Mark Steinberg, “Steiney.” His agency is IGM, not IMG.  Tree’s biggest rival is the ultimate family man, Will Martinsen (Phil Mickelson).  Tree is sponsored by Arrow Golf (Nike) and its chairman Turner Darlington (Phil Knight).  Tree lives in and frequents the strip bars in Tampa, not Orlando. The nine iron wielded by his wife was replaced by a fireplace poker and the Thanksgiving “accident” was swapped out for a birthday celebration.

The story is told from the perspective of Josh Durta who was Tree’s Director of Communications for Tree Corporation and he also managed his website.  Durta was recruited into Tree’s world after he was given a tip on his infidelities.  Durta is unwillingly drawn into Tree’s web of lies and deceits and ends up becoming a trusted friend and confidant of Tree and Tree’s father who is a major factor in Tree’s life.  A bit of reality here, Tiger’s website is managed by established golf journalist Mark Soltau.  With the authors standing in the golf community we can be sure that they have many information sources.  In the novel, the business of trading information between writers is commonplace so it’s a natural conclusion that the authors got inside information from their “friends” in the business.

We get an inside look at Tree’s life and all the sordid details that go with it.  From the quickie in Augusta National’s wine cellar to a tryst in a custodial room at his steroid dispensing doctors’ office we see a sex addict that has little regard for the consequences of his actions.

The authors do manage to make Tree a sympathetic character, one that is well liked by all he works with and a man that treasures family and friendships.  Despite his flaws, and he has many, Tree comes off as likable at times at least when he’s not in a threesome in his own bedroom.

One of the intriguing aspects of this read is how topical Bamberger and Shipnuck make it.  There are conversations and interactions with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer woven into the story.  Current professional golfers are referenced and places like Augusta National and St Andrews bring this novel a strange feeling of reality.  It’s hard not to picture Tiger Woods each time Tree Tremont is mentioned.

We get an intimate accounting from Durta of all the outrageousness that went on in Tree’s inner circle as he tries to right his life after he is forced into the tabloid spotlight.  After being brought down by a horde of cheap cocktail waitresses, porn actresses and a high profile, ruthless, million dollar, female attorney Tree tries to become a new man:  a man that is open and honest, loyal and faithful and truly cherishes his friends and family.  This is where we realize that this is indeed fiction.

“The Swinger” is funny, outrageous and at times, a touching story.  Bamberger and Shipnuck do an excellent job of keeping you wanting more.  I have to say they had me right from the first chapter.  I’ll say the two things authors love to hear: I couldn’t put it down and you should go out and buy it.  It was funny, engrossing and a very exciting read.  It was like being on the inside of Tiger’s Tree’s inner circle and that’s a place few people ever get the chance to experience.

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One Comment

  1. Wow. This book is not what you say it is. It’s utterly empty of humor, insight or anything remotely redeeming. If you want to read it to see how bad it really is, pick it up in the remainder bin at Books A Million in a few weeks. But wait until the price drops below $1. Otherwise you’ll really regret your purchase.

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