Editor’s Choice: “A Drinkin’ Man with a Golf Problem” by Randy “Tank” Tantlinger

You gotta admire an author that tells readers to “Fuck off!” several times in the first few pages of their book. His “addition by subtraction” approach is rare, but I respect it. I personally know Randy “Tank” Tantlinger and wouldn’t expect anything less from the Pittsburgh-based journalist, host, producer, radio personality and retired Thunder From Down Under dancer. He’s cut from the locker-room where humiliating insults are the sincerest form of affection. I can relate and appreciate this attitude which is consistent throughout “Tank’s” memoir, “A Drinkin’ Man with a Golf Problem.”

“Tank” chronicles his global golf travels and his conversations with Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Watson and others. He’s interviewed more golf legends than Bryant Gumbel, who also makes an appearance in the book. There are plenty of war stories and I’m not a critic, but if I have one complaint it’s this: I’d like more details from Thailand, Costa Rica and the Playboy Mansion. As a reader, my thirst wasn’t fully quenched. Perhaps “Tank” has something more colorful in the works — finger’s crossed.

A few of “Tank’s” business adventures are explained. One of those reveals a mishap of sorts where he paid someone to edit the book and they disappeared. And yeah, there are some misspelled words, but let me channel my inner-Tank, “If you can’t handle a few typos then FUCK OFF!”

The occasional spelling mishap and grammatical error didn’t bother me, but perhaps a fancy highfalutin editor from New York City could have better organized the sequence of the chapters. But overall, it was a fun read and that vanishing editor crook is just another character in the book. Perhaps the scenario is one more of the book’s many lessons, “Don’t pay someone until the job’s complete.”

Tantlinger is not for the faint of heart — he’s a man’s man like Arnold Palmer who gets several pages in the book. Deservedly so and long live the King — Arnie was the greatest and “Tank’s” conversations with him are fantastic. In fact, “Tank’s” interviews with golf legends are some of the best you’ll ever read. Ever heard of a journalist challenging Jack Nicklaus to a wrestling match?

Loads of laughs are included and there’s a ton of history too. Readers will know more about golf history, Scotland, Ireland and other interesting goodies.

For a copy of “A Drinkin’ Man with a Golf Problem”, contact the author direct at [email protected].

 

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