The Greatest Game Ever Played: Inspired by a True Story
2005 Walt Disney Pictures

The Greatest Game Ever Played offers up quality family programming in the tradition of other sports-related movies such as The Rookie and Miracle, all of which are based on true stories of athletes battling against overwhelming odds to triumph in the end. In the early 1900s, golf was very much a gentlemen's game, and even professional golfers were not held in high esteem. The British ideal of the exalted amateur held sway, and membership in exclusive clubs was limited to those of proper breeding and inherited wealth. Those of "peasant" heritage need not apply, regardless of their skills.

Young Francis Ouimet changed all that. A self-taught golfer, he work as a caddie, and practiced his golfing using phone books for targets. The Greatest Game Ever Played is his story, culminating in his amazing play during inclement weather at the 1913 U.S. Open, as he battled British stars Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. Actor Shia LaBeouf (Holes) does a fine job as Ouimet, but Josh Flitter steals the show as wisecracking 10-year-old caddie Eddie Lowery. Lowery's older brother was supposed to caddie for Ouimet, but a run-in with a school truant officer took him out of the picture. Little brother Eddie proved to be more elusive, and managed to show up for every day of the competition, not only lugging around a golf bag as big as he was, but calming Ouimet and offering sage advice on the course. Lowery must have been as spunky in reality as the movie portrays. He went on to become a millionaire in the automobile business, and was a talented enough golfer in his own right to team up with Byron Nelson to win the 1955 Crosby Pebble Beach National Pro-Am title.

As for Ouimet, he went on to win the U.S. Amateur title in 1914 and again in 1931, and was considered the top ambassador for the game of golf in America. In 1951 he was the first American ever elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, giving him the respect that was impossible in the early days of his career.

The Greatest Game Ever Played is an inspiring movie, rated PG for a couple of "damn" and "hell" expletives. It's a true family movie, humorous and entertaining while teaching lessons of perseverance. The audience clapped at the end, something I haven't heard at a movie in quite some time. I highly recommend this movie for ages 10 and up.

Visit the official Greatest Game website, as well as the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund site.