The Greatest Game Ever Played

[waves crash]

[whacking in distance]

[low indistinct chatter]

Who are you?

What are you doing?

There's a golf links

going in here.

What's golf?

Golf is a game

played by gentlemen.

Not for the likes of you.

Now, run along, boy.

[golf ball struck]

Here it is, sir.

[squishes]

[man] Come on! Let's go!

[gasps]

That's it.

Sit up straight, Sarah.

Lightly on the reins. There.

This is how we do it, Francis.

We work hard, and we bring

home the money.

Work hard.

Bring home the money.

- Guillermo!

- Yes, sir!

Come on!

[ball rolls on floor]

Francis, what in the world

are you doin'?

It's after midnight!

You're keepin' your

brother up. Go to bed.

Raymond, go to sleep.

No talkin'.

No noises. I mean it.

What have you got there,

Francis? Hmm?

Francis.

Can I see him, Father? Please?

What's he talking about?

See who?

Harry Vardon.

Any gentleman

who plays this game

is not a friend to you.

I know.

But he's the greatest ever.

- Arthur, I don't see the harm in...

- Not another word.

The boy goes to school today.

That's the end of it.

[woman] Mrs. Darcy, mind the little one!

He'll try to climb those stairs.

Francis, leave your books.

I've got shoppin' to do.

You come with me now.

Father said

I had to go to school.

You can miss school for one day.

Besides, I need help

with me packages. Come along.

What could be

causing such a fuss?

[chuckles]

Go on. I'll find ya.

[applause]

- [audience] Oooh!

- [applause]

Thank you,

ladies and gentlemen.

I'll now presume

upon your goodwill

and request the services

of a volunteer.

Anyone?

[laughter]

Oh! [chuckles]

Hello. What's your name?

- Francis.

- Hello, Mr. Francis.

Now, do you know

what this is?

A brassie.

So it is.

Have a bash.

[laughter]

[mouths] Go on.

That's all right, Francis.

Even in our darkest hour,

we must always remember,

you never despair.

Have you held

a live bird in your hands?

Not too hard to hurt her.

Just firm enough to stop it

from flying away.

Try it again.

- Oooh!

- [applause]

Did you see that?

Hail the conquering hero!

Mr. Darwin.

- Is this what I think it is?

- I'm not sure, Harry.

I received a summons

from Lord Northcliffe,

- just as you did.

- Keep the change, mate.

- He's waiting inside.

- Today's the day.

But, Harry, no professional

has ever been asked

to join a gentlemen's

golf club as a member.

First time for everything, Bernard.

- Yes.

- Look at this place.

Why else would they

want you here?

He doesn't confide in me.

I only work for him.

Ten years ago,

I was clippin' hedges.

Mmm.

Marvelous.

Brilliantly done, Harry.

Thank you, sir.

I'd be honored if you

gentlemen would consider

- adding it to your trophy case.

- A glittering addition.

We'd be pleased to keep it for you.

Wouldn't we, Neville?

Handsome.

But you might not get it back

without a tussle.

Don't plan on handing it back

myself without a fight.

[Northcliffe] Harry,

I'll come to the point.

We've had an opening at our club.

Lord Bullock chairs

the membership committee.

[Bullock] What does

your father do?

Uh, he's a gardener on Jersey, sir.

I'm told you're Church of Rome.

- Mother's French?

- Yes, sir.

I believe we can work around it.

It's decided, then.

You're just the man for us.

Well, I don't know

what to say, sir.

[chuckles] Well, say yes.

We want you to work for us.

Decent wage.

You can run your own shop.

Lessons, of course.

Charge what you like for those.

[Bullock] You're the only man

who can set me right.

[Northcliffe]

You'll have your work cut out.

I think it's drinks all around.

[Bullock echoing]

I'm told you'll work for us...

[man] Golf is a game

played by gentlemen.

Not for the likes of you.

Played by gentlemen.

[Northcliffe]

Run your own shop. Decent wage.

[man] Run along, boy.

[ball rolls on floor]

[sighs]

Francis. It's after midnight.

Just one more, Mother.

Mr. Hastings!

- Ah, Master Francis.

- Sir.

We now lack but one essential

to complete the swift

appointment of our round:

- Your clubs.

- My clubs, sir?

Caddies aren't allowed on the course.

If Mr. Campbell sees me out there...

You let me worry about Campbell.

Go. Get those clubs.

You go, boy.

Get those clubs.

Hup, hup, hup, hup!

- Well struck, lad.

- Thank you, sir.

[man] What did you shoot?

Uh, an 81, sir.

What did you take on 15?

A nine, sir.

So you shot an 81

first time around

on the toughest golf course

in New England?

- With a nine?

- Well, I... I think I...

I saw you standing there, knowing

caddies aren't supposed to play...

Go on.

I... I think I got

a little nervous, sir.

We needed to see how

you handled yourself.

Handled myself?

National Amateur Championship's

here next month.

Are you saying that I can...

What do I have to do?

- You have to play in the qualifier.

- That's the easy part.

You have to be approved

by the executive committee.

You're a caddie here?

Yes, sir.

For ten years.

I recently resigned to preserve

my status as an amateur.

What, no plans

to turn professional?

Uh, no, sir. I plan

to have a career in business.

- Oh, business?

- Yes.

What sort of business?

Howard, we need...

Sorry. Carry on.

What's your home club?

I don't see it here.

They have to sponsor you.

My home club?

- I'm between clubs at the moment.

- Look, see here.

you may have qualified

as a player,

but this just isn't the sort

of thing that caddies do.

You're a caddie?

Yes, sir, I was.

Caddies don't play in the Amateur.

It's not for your kind.

Members only.

We need to discuss the opening

on the greens committee.

I'm sorry.

But there must be a way

for somebody who's not

a member to compete.

Not this year.

As if he could afford

the $50 entrance fee.

Excuse me. Sir...

...if I were to pay the $50,

would I need to belong to a club?

Technically, no.

You would still need a club member

in good standing to sponsor you, and...

And... that would be me.

Fifty dollars to play golf.

I'll pay back every penny

from my earnings.

Is this how I failed you?

Is that all you've learned from me?

No, sir.

But it's just a game.

A game?

A game doesn't give a man what he

needs to make a life, feed his family.

If I win,

great things could happen.

Nothing will happen.

They'll use you

for their own amusement.

I can do this. This is

something I'm good at.

What if you do?

What will you get for your $50?

I had dreams too, Francis.

No matter what you do,

they'll never let you

cross that street.

All I want is a chance.

OK.

OK, we make a bargain.

You promise me if you lose,

no more golf.

You give up this fool's game.

You finish your schooling,

you learn a trade,

and you bring home

an honest wage.

If I don't qualify?

Yes, I promise.

[music plays from inside club]

It's the English edition.

It's not even in print here yet.

Harry Vardon.

Thank you.

Read it, study it.

You'll need a 78 to qualify.

Stiffer competition.

These are the best

amateurs in the country.

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