• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS The Phantom of the Open – Christian Lee as Gene Flitcroft and Mark Rylance as Maurice Flitcroft -- Photo by Nick Wall
Golf Travelers Sure to Love New ‘The Phantom of the Open’ Movie You love golf, you love short and long hauls to illustrious golf destinations, and you can’t consume enough of the sport no matter what it’s about and how it’s delivered. Well, here’s a treat: the legendary Sony Pictures Classics is releasing a new golf movie, “The Phantom of the Open” beginning June 3 in theaters nationwide. It’s been a long time since a decent golf movie has hit the silver screen. Thankfully, “Phantom” isn’t decent – it’s of eagle if not albatross caliber. Better yet, it’s based on a true story – really. Simply put, you’ll immensely enjoy the film and it’ll positively remain in your mind for a long time. Smile your way through the trailer here. It’ll cause you to hit the theater and smile your way through the storyline. It all starts with British shipyard worker Maurice Flitcroft in the remote port town of Barrow-in-Furness, England. After receiving a pink slip, the 46-year-old serendipitously catches, on his not-soclear color TV, Tom Watson holing out on No. 18 to win a playoff at the 1975 Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links. Despite being down on his luck, the eternal optimist with nary a clue sets his sights on winning the Open Championship. Problem is he’s never picked up a golf club, doesn’t know the first thing about the game and doesn’t look the part either. Gaming clubs from his “boss” and pseudo-golf attire from, well, “wherever,” our dreamer practices – and practices some more – on everything from your proverbial goat farm course to a beach. Shots frequently go wayward, less often straight. Maurice completes an application for the 1976 Open Championship qualifying tournament. He harmlessly checks the
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“professional” box because the “amateur” box requires a handicap which he doesn’t have. Open Championship administrator, the Royal & Ancient, commits a faux pas and Maurice is shockingly invited to qualify. Naturally, he doesn’t belong and proceeds to shoot a recordhigh 121. Normal people would be self-conscious of such an abhorrent showing, but not the calm and collected Maurice. He was at peace with doing the best he could. The big number, and the gaunt, bucket-hat, argyle-vested and mostly disheveled-looking Maurice became a star not just in his kingdom, but internationally. The headlines were full of applause, admonishment and cleverness. Lo and behold, Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids. Michigan, flew Maurice and family over the pond to christen the inaugural “Maurice Flitcroft World’s Worst Golfer” tournament. Even his wife, Jean (played by Golden Globes winner Sally Hawkins) is naïve about the sport. When informed of Maurice’s 121, she seriously asks: “does that mean he’s won?” Oscar winner Mark Rylance brilliantly plays the proud Maurice whose relationships with Jean, his corporate ladder-climbing son and his disco-fanatical twin sons re hilarious and endearing. The importance of family values is in full force. This is a film for everyone, not just golfers. It ranks high with men and women who wouldn’t know the difference between Davis Love and Courtney Love. In that vein, call “Phantom” a dramedy filled with a slew of funny, emotional and inspiring moments. By the way, for you golf-obsessed historians, Johnny Miller won the 1976 Open Championship by four strokes over Jack Nicklaus and a then 19-year-old Seve Ballesteros who is portrayed in “Phantom” in a memorable scene with Maurice.
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