‘The Foursome’ by Troon McAllister

By: Dr. John Wagner


Now here is a story that really tested my ability to find much to like in a book. The four main characters in “The Foursome” reminded me of why I would quit golf if I had to play with people like them.

All they did was complain, swear and brag. In the story they get invited to a magical golf course, transported there on a private jet with no windows and they do not have to pay green fees if they don’t enjoy their week.

After this weak start, the remaining nine-tenths of the story has no plot whatsoever. I’ve had more fun four-putting a green than trying to finish this book.

The ending, which comes out of nowhere, supposedly transforms the four guys into wonderful humans. Remember, they have just spent six days bitching about everything and cheating on the golf course. One admitted he had an affair with another main character’s wife, while the others fake handicaps and poor health, use illegal clubs and run crooked businesses.

After doing this for 30 years they are suddenly great people? What a crock, and what a crock of a book!

‘The Foursome’ by Troon McAllister, Broadway Books, 2001, $12.95 (soft cover), ISBN 0-7679-0572-5

Dr. John Wagner has been a Seattle dentist for 37 years. He’s been published in several dental journals as well as had several articles appear in the turf magazine for Pacific Northwest golf course superintendents. John has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington Business School for several years and as a guest lecturer for several dental societies. Dr. Wagner is the co-designer (with Steve Shea of the Berger Partnership) of a golf course in Japan that cost over $120 million and was built by Wadsworth Golf Construction. He’s a Past President of the Washington State Golf Association and the current President of the Pacific Coast Golf Association. John is currently a Member of the USGA Green Section and a Director of the WSGA.