Review Fix chats with author and journalist Ann Liguori, who discusses the creative process behind her new book, “LIFE ON THE GREEN: Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf’.”
About LIFE ON THE GREEN: Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf’:
Golf is a cerebral and often spiritual game, and for the champion golfers on the PGA and LPGA Tours, their “life on the green” includes reflection and soul-searching; merging self-knowledge with course knowledge; blending hard-won insights with past mentorship; mastering the arts of competition and resilience; all while prioritizing their growing families and curating their lasting legacies.
The new book from legendary sports talk show host and renowned interviewer Ann Liguori—”LIFE ON THE GREEN: Lessons and Wisdom from the Legends of Golf,” is a dream collection of insights and life lessons from some of the most compelling characters and champions in the game’s history. Unfiltered and topical, Liguori presents her engrossing conversations with Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer, Nancy Lopez, Dottie Pepper, Amy Alcott, Gary Player, Ben Crenshaw, Jan Stephenson, Padraig Harrington, Annika Sorenstam, Renee Powell and Jack Nicklaus, and relates how these esteemed competitors and gallery favorites have navigated their lives on and off the course.
Review Fix: What inspired this book?
Ann Liguori: It had been a while since my first book, ‘A Passion for Golf, Celebrity Musings About the Game’ was published, about ‘A LIST’ celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey, Celine Dion, Kevin Costner, Joe Pesci, Sylvester Stallone, to name a few, sharing their success stories and passion for golf. I was ready to write another! The book I had in mind initially is about the many Sports Legends I’ve interviewed early in my career – the stories behind the stories – of interviewing legends such as Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Wilt Chamberlain, Gordie Howe, George Foreman, Yogi Berra, Jimmy Connors, Florence Griffith Joyner, Jackie Joyner Kercee, Carl Lewis, Bjorn Borg, Patty Berg, Roger Federer, – the many sports legends in my Sports Innerview TV show archives.
Golf is thriving and the publishers, Hatherleigh Press, asked me if I would write a golf book. They know I broadcast and write about golf, and will be covering my 27th Masters, and have covered dozens of U.S. Opens, PGA Championships, PGA Tour, LPGA Tour events, Ryder Cups, etc. So I was thrilled when they asked and as a passionate golfer and golf broadcaster, it was a no-brainer for me to pursue the golf idea. So for ‘Life on the Green, Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf,’ I came up with the idea of interviewing 12 golf legends, six men and six women, and ask them to share wisdom they learned from their championship golf careers that they use in their day to day lives. The life lessons are uplifting and inspiring! And the stories they reveal about themselves are compelling!
Review Fix: How did this journey change as the book was being written?
Liguori: The journey stayed on track I’m happy to say. I was able to schedule interviews with all twelve of the Hall of Famers (Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Bernhard Langer, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Watson, Padraig Harrington, Annika Sorenstam, Nancy Lopez, Dottie Pepper, Amy Alcott, Renee Powell, and Jan Stephenson) and legendary sportscaster Jim Nantz wrote a glowing foreword. I spent a lot of time talking with each legend and they were more than willing to share their life wisdom and personal stories. I’m delighted with how smoothly the process went. And they each thanked ME for including them in the book. That shows what amazing individuals they each are.
Review Fix: What do you think the Jim Nantz forward adds to this book?
Liguori: Wow! Jim is so very gracious. I’ve known him for years from my early days at CBS Sports and covering all sports and then golf. We have been friends for decades. He’s been a guest numerous times on my ‘Hey Liguori, What’s the Story’ radio show on WFAN-NY and on my ‘Talking Golf’ radio show on WFAN-NY through the years. He is the very best. And the fact that he wrote such an amazing foreword about my work and career is just incredible and adds so much. I’m so very grateful.
Review Fix: Who will love this book the most?
Liguori: The beauty of ‘Life on the Green, Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf’ is that it transcends golf. Diehard and casual golfers will love the stories about many of the very best to ever play the game, while non golfers, men and women, young and old, will enjoy hearing their stories and the wisdom they share that can be applied to everyone’s own life. The life wisdom and messages in the book truly inspires all.
Review Fix: What makes golf so special to you?
Liguori: Golf is a lifestyle. It’s much more than a sport. To travel the world and play the top golf courses on earth is a true privilege and it is a great way to see the world, the natural beauty. Normally golf courses are built on the most beautiful pieces of property. From the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on so many of the stunning links’ courses in Ireland, to the variety of prestigious and historic courses on the East End of Long Island, to the desert terrain with cactus and mountains as a backdrop in the western part of the U.S, golf offers an abundance of ever-changing landscapes throughout the world that can be both calming and challenging. Golf brings people together, fostering deep connections as we bond with the people we play with. Many of my dearest friends are golfers. Golf stimulates the mind. Every course, every hole is like a puzzle. It requires us to think strategically and to adapt to varying scenarios. As the legends in the book so beautifully express, golf mirrors life and teaches us humility, how to overcome challenges, patience, how to stay in the present, mental toughness, the importance of a dedicated work ethic, perseverance, and so much more. Golf provides unlimited lessons on and off the course.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this journey?
Liguori: I learned that I can indeed organize and manage my time pretty well. Writing a book is a massive project. It requires long hours, intense focus and extreme dedication to completing the project. It’s always a challenge juggling numerous other work projects and activities. Time management is a skill. To complete a huge project like a book requires tremendous focus, commitment and dedication. Having a passion for what you do is paramount. That’s another lesson in the book. I’ve always had a passion for interviewing people and getting to know what makes them so successful and being able to share inspirational messages and life wisdom in a book, that all can benefit from, is a dream come true!
Review Fix: What’s next?
Liguori: My ‘Talking Golf with Ann Liguori’ radio show, season eight, kicks off on Sunday, April 6 from 7-8 AM, on WFAN-NY, from Augusta National and The Masters. I just won my second Gracie Award in three years, programming that recognizes women in media.
(For 25 years, I hosted the weekly ‘Hey Liguori, What’s the Story’ show on WFAN-NY, as the first woman to host a call-in sport’s show on the first all sports radio station).
I continue to promote ‘Life on the Green, Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf’ throughout the country. It’s available on Amazon. I’m doing a lot of public speaking and book signings.
My 27th Annual Ann Liguori Foundation Charity Golf Classic, benefitting cancer research, is Tuesday, May 27th at Westhampton Country Club on the East End of Long Island.
And I’m working on bringing my Sports Innerview TV interviews, a treasure chest of content, to a mass audience.
Review Fix: Where can people find out more?
Liguori: Visit www.annliguori.com
@theannliguori on Instagram
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