A Second 18 for Jeff Wallach

Portland author Jeff Wallach, who worked his way through the ranks of the golf media world before diving into his true passion, has released a sequel to his popular golf novel Mr. Wizard. It’s a book he hadn’t planned to write, but knew his main characters had more to share with the world.

Wallach got out of the magazine business six or seven years ago, closing the door on a 35-year career. “Money from real estate finally gave me the chance to write what I wanted to write,” said Wallach. “I’ve never been happier.”

While the first novel was something of a genetic treasure hunt, with the main characters (two brothers) finding out they had different fathers whom they set out to find. The follow up, Everyone Here Is From Somewhere Else, gives the brothers a chance to find out who they are and get to know the men who fathered them.

The new book received high praise from John Norville, writer of the beloved golf movie Tin Cup. He called Wallach’s new book full of “fresh discovery and human connection . . . a journey rich in humor, wit, and insight.”

That endorsement proves that the book is not just for avid golfers. Wallach himself said it’s really only 10 or 20 percent golf, with the rest being fiction that should please just about anyone. However, anyone who is a golfer will find things in either book that they can relate to.

“It’s less intellectual than a book like Golf in the Kingdom,” said Wallach. “I’m using golf to tell bigger story, but golfers will find hilarious things; they’ll see club throwers, quiet maniacs, and golf savants.”

For now, Wallach said the story of the two brothers has come to an end as he begins work on a new, unrelated project. He left the door open for a return, but said it would be years down the road when he - and the brothers - get a little older.

Both novels - Mr. Wizard and Everyone Here Is From Somewhere Else - are available for purchase on Amazon. com.