Bogey Tees Off is a wonderful golf book for any child. If you are like me, and do not have children of your own, I encourage you to buy the book and donate it to your local library. I did and here is my story on how I came to love Bogey Ballton, a range ball who wants to play on tour.
Dottie Pepper, co-author of “Bogey Tees Off,” was giving an interview and her joy for her book was infectious. Pepper spoke about “the lesson about being truthful” as a theme, the glossary of golf terms, and the autograph signature space at the back of the book.
She also spoke about her co-author and creator of Bogey Ballton, Scott Fuller and the wonderful illustrations by Kenneth Templeton. Finally, I was impressed that a percentage of the book sales went to charities; including junior golf initiatives. I had a fleeting thought to buy the book but felt it would be silly for me to buy the book since I could not think of any young child to give it to as a gift.
After the interview, I tweeted Dottie Pepper to give her kudos for the interview.
Twitter Conversation with Dottie Pepper
The Tweet from Dottie Pepper was enough encouragement for me to do a search online for the book. You can buy it at the major online book sites but I wanted to learn a bit more about the book so I went to the official website. I decided to buy the hardcover book motivated by the fact I was supporting junior golf.
The book arrived and I took a few minutes to read it. To my surprise, I really enjoyed the story. The true sign of a good book from me is I want to know what happens next and that’s how I felt after reading “Bogey Tees Off.” So I am hooked and will be watching for the release of volume 2 of the Bogey Ballton series.
I really wish my nieces were younger so I could give the book to them. However, I refuse to be one of those Aunts that gives a gift that is based on my likes and not their interests. My nieces are at the stage in life where music, movies, clothes, and boys are more interesting than golf — which is just fine with me.
Later that day I was online reserving a book from my library and it hit me. Maybe the local library takes book donations. I searched the online book catalog for “Bogey Tees Off” and it was not listed. So I took the book to my library, walked into the children’s room (which I had never been in), and spoke to the children’s librarian.
The librarian was a bit skeptical because she looked in her “purchasing system” and did not see the book. I explained that Dottie Pepper was a famous golfer and this was her first children’s book, etc. The librarian said she would need to read the book and get back to me as to whether or not she would be able to add it to the collection. At first I was surprised (maybe a tad offended) that my book donation was in question. But then I realized she had a responsibility to provide quality books to the children of our town.
After a number of weeks I was beginning to wonder if I would ever hear from the Librarian. Finally, the call came and the news was wonderful. The librarian said “This is a book I definitely want to add to the children’s collection. Thank you for thinking of us.” I felt so happy that she liked the book and it was now going to be available for kids in my town to read. The librarian also reminded me that my town is a member of a network that includes a consortium of 42 libraries and anyone can reserve the book online.
This is a simple story about one small act to donate a book to a library but it also is one small step in helping expose a new generation to a great sport. You never know who you will impact with a “small act of kindness” but it feels great to do something, even if it seems minor in the scoop of bigger charitable activities you do in life.
Take action and donate “Bogey Tees Off” to your local library. Who knows, maybe some child that reads the book you donated will decide to play golf and even go “on tour” one day.
Golf Expectations 