The Greatest Game Ever Played Page #2

Do you think I'm ready?

I don't know, and neither

will you until you're in it.

There's golf, and there's

championship golf.

Keep it for me.

I'm going to the party.

They said all the players

are invited.

What's it like in there?

I couldn't tell you.

I'm not allowed inside.

[orchestra playing

You Made Me Love You]

Do me a favor, would you?

Hi.

Hi. This boy I used to see

before I left for college is after me.

- Pretend you asked me to dance.

- There you are, you peach.

You know, you can't

avoid me all evening.

I... I said a dance, Phillip.

Not this one.

- I promised this one to...

- Francis Ouimet.

- Do I know your family?

- I don't know.

- Phillip Wainwright?

- Wainwright?

Oh, yes. Wainwrights,

good people.

Wainwrights.

Well, the evening's young.

She'll catch up with you.

You're a real sport for helping.

It's no trouble.

I had the craziest day.

I take a train from Philadelphia,

my bags end up in Baltimore.

My tux is in the bags

in Baltimore.

I'm wearing the houseman's suit.

I think you look just fine.

You too.

Is he gone?

No, he's still watching.

Shall we dance?

[orchestra plays

Let Me Call You Sweetheart]

You said you were

going to college?

Smith. First semester.

Oh.

Where are you going?

To college?

Oh, uh, um,

I'm taking the year off

to consider my options.

I think that's so wise.

Perhaps you'll go to Europe.

Perhaps I will.

'Cause I have family in France.

I'm sorry. What did you

say your name was again?

Francis. Ouimet.

Oh, look!

There's my brother!

- Freddie, you must know Francis.

- Freddie.

Caddie Boy.

Freddie, you're such a kidder.

Dad, Mother, this is Francis Ouimet.

How do you do?

That's a beautiful dress.

Francis is playing

in the tournament.

Yes, yes, I know.

Well, you boys chat.

Mother and I will be right back.

Swell girl, your daughter.

Young man, you may

have been invited,

but don't get the idea

that you belong here.

[Vardon] There are only

two types of player:

Those who keep their nerves

in control and win championships,

and those who do not.

[applause]

[applause]

[applause]

Five or less,

and you make the cut.

Eighteen? I can make

five here in my sleep.

- [applause]

- That's the one.

[crowd groans]

[light applause]

Congratulations.

That's too bad, Caddie Boy.

You could caddie for me

in the tournament.

You're available, right?

[man] Congratulations, son.

Well played.

[door closes]

[crowd cheers]

[applause]

[light applause]

Empire, Harry.

The sun never sets on us,

all that rubbish.

Consider the glory that was Greece

of Alexander the Great.

Now you can't even

find it on a map.

[Northcliffe] Greece

introduced sport to the world,

pure expression

of their superiority.

We've trodden that same road.

Football, cricket, rugby, golf.

All the major championships

remain in British hands.

Save one.

[Vardon]

What are you proposing?

[Northcliffe] The U.S. Open.

You won it before.

I want you to mount

a new campaign

to do to the Americans

what Alexander

did to the Persians.

Lay waste to 'em.

My papers get exclusive coverage.

Bernard here comes along

to chronicle your conquest.

It's our game, man.

Win their Open and

bring back that trophy.

You pocket

your winnings, of course.

Hmm.

- Wouldn't pay for the crossing, sir.

- All expenses paid.

As part of an exhibition tour,

all sponsors arranged.

Does that cover it?

Yep. That'd do it.

And I hear there's talk

of an honorary

membership at the club.

This would clinch it.

And I daresay His Majesty

might want to show his gratitude

to England's greatest sportsman.

Harry Vardon,

Order of the British Empire.

- Has a nice ring to it.

- [pool balls clack]

I'll need a partner.

Somebody to share the workload with.

[Northcliffe]

My thoughts exactly.

Wilfred here is your man.

Top amateur in the British Isles.

Delighted, old chap.

Jolly good wheeze, what?

Giving the Yanks

a thorough thrashing.

I had someone else in mind.

Ted Ray?

Christ, he's a Visigoth.

No, he's a Jerseyman.

'Scuse me.

[men shouting]

All bets off!

- [man 1] Come on!

- [man 2] Come on!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

- Ted!

- Harry!

Hey! Look at you!

What's this, another night out

with your ruling class masters?

Ted Ray, Lord Northcliffe.

Lord Northcliffe?

The honor is entirely mine.

Mmm! [laughing]

[Ted] What brings you down

this way, Harry?

Hello, hello

Stop your little games

Don't you think your ways

you ought to mend

Can you believe they moved

the Open back three months

just so one guy can play in it?

Well, he's Harry Vardon,

The Stylist, The Greyhound.

I don't care if he's

the man in the moon.

They wouldn't do that

for an American.

Ask Francis.

He used to play.

- You did?

- No, not really.

Ah, he's being modest.

He used to be good

before he gave it up

for the glamour of retail.

Isn't that right, Francis?

Francis!

Francis!

Casey would waltz

with the strawberry blonde

And the band played on

He'd glide 'cross the floor

with the girl he adored

And the band played on

His brain was so loaded

it nearly exploded

The poor girl

would shake with alarm

He'd ne'er leave the girl

With the strawberry curl

And the band played on

[orchestra music]

[woman singing in Italian]

Oh, well.

It was glorious.

- Wasn't it glorious?

- Yes, it was.

Have you ever heard

such a voice?

It was like the... the music

was coming through her

from someplace else.

That's the feeling

I've always wanted...

Francis, for what? Hmm?

There he is.

Francis! Come here.

Meet Robert Watson,

president of the

United States Golf Association.

Francis, pleasure.

Well, the pleasure's mine, sir.

Uh, let me have a salesman

show you our equipment.

- It's the best selection in Boston.

- He's not here to buy clubs.

I hear you live in Brookline,

not far from the country club.

Right across the street.

We're holding our Open Championship

there in two weeks.

- Your name came up.

- My name, sir?

I'm looking to add

a local amateur to the field.

Harry Vardon's playing.

And Ted Ray.

Mr. Watson, thank you,

but I can't accept.

- Why not?

- I'm awfully busy here.

And, uh, I don't

play golf anymore.

- How old are you, Francis?

- I'm 20, sir.

Awfully young to be giving up

on your dreams, aren't you?

I just have different ones now,

that's all.

I'm sorry, Mr. Hastings.

There's no need

to explain, Francis.

All the best.

That swing looks familiar.

Hey!

What are you doing here?

Father's taking me out

for our annual round.

My brother said that

you were working here.

Your brother. I've seen him

in here a couple times.

I was hoping you could

sell me some equipment.

I'm not actually the salesman.

Still considering your options?

Yeah.

I'll go get you a salesman.

All right.

[applause]

Harry Vardon.

The Stylist.

Practice round.

We're expecting a big turnout, so it's

important we have marshals here...

Mr. Watson.

Francis Ouimet.

- Can I speak to you, sir?

- What is it?

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