Utopia in a little white ball
Golf fanatics' book becomes a movie
“How can a game have such an effect on a man’s soul?”
It’s a quote golf fanatics across the nation know. It’s also known by people just searching for a little peace in their lives.
Now, thanks to the icon of Texas movie characters and style — Robert Duvall — and a film made right here in the Hill Country, it’s a question even more people will be asking, and answering for themselves.
The quote is from David Cook’s book “Seven Days in Utopia, Golf’s Sacred Journey.” Although Cook doesn’t like the word cult, it describes the fanaticism around the simple book he wrote in and about the scrubby Texas Hill Country town of Utopia.
The book has such resonance with golfers struggling to make sense of a maddening game, and people seeking direction in a sometimes maddening world, that he has an almost worshipful following. “You have to read this book,” is the simple word-of-mouth endorsement thousands provide.
“Every word in this book goes to ‘does it really matter’,” Cook said. “This book has two big bullseyes – golf and faith.”
For those who don’t read it, September 2nd a film, based on the book, premiers starring Duvall. It was filmed mostly outside Fredericksburg at the Boot Ranch golf resort and development, and, of course, in Utopia. It’s a spot on the map that can only be described as outside San Antonio by those used to vast Texas expanses.
But this is not the typical golf movie with a loopy leading man dancing with his putter and golf groupies. In fact, this is in no way the typical Hollywood fare.
“A bloodbath” is how Cook describes the battle getting Hollywood to keep the spirituality that is the true basis of Seven Days.
The book and movie revolve around a young golfer ridden by his father to succeed at golf. He finally snaps in a very public forum. Circumstance puts the golfer in Utopia, where he encounters a former professional golf tour player who has learned some hard lessons. The wiser golfer asks the youngster for one week to improve his game. In the process, the sage provides life lessons that improve much more.
“It’s about the sweet spot,” Cook said referring to the perfect spot on the ball for the perfect drive. “What is the sweet spot in life all about?”
Cook has the goods to talk about sports and life. He’s a renowned sports psychologist, whose resume includes a stint with the San Antonio Spurs as they went from the NBA’s worst team to its champion. That success helped spur the book.
“I noticed it didn’t change their life,” he said of the champion Spurs players. “In fact, I think it scared some of them.”
“Every word in this book goes to ‘does it really matter’,” Cook said. “This book has two big bullseyes – golf and faith.”
The movie includes several major PGA golfers. Cook said it was also important to find a real life golfer to play the searching youngster because all involved in the movie wanted to make the swings real. “This movie is going to be authentic,” he said. “The golf community is going to embrace it because they’re going to go 'FINALLY'.”
That golfer turned out to be Lucas Black, who also played a major role as an athlete in the “Friday Night Lights” movie.
As evidence of the film’s golf cred, Cook offers that the PGA and club and accessory manufacturer Calloway are prominent throughout the film. The September 2nd premiere in Atlanta is sponsored by the PGA and linked to a tournament stop.
But there is a much higher power to "Seven Days". The basic theme is SFT – see, feel and trust. It is a philosophy for golf success according to Duval’s character. But in a pivotal scene, the three words are tied to much more that will provide a life course more rewarding than any front nine score.
Hanging on to that theme was the bloodbath to which Cook referred. He wrote the screenplay himself, was an executive producer and found a director in Matthew Dean Russell who was also on board with the philosophy. It didn’t hurt that the biggest financial backer for the $17 million film was Joseph Coors of the brewing family, and past financial supporters of the Christian Broadcast Network and The Heritage Foundation.
Cook said the book came to him when he sat down at an old card table on the porch of his wife’s family home in Utopia. He said he typed the ubiquitous first line about the impact of the game and then came a torrent.
“The words poured out,” he said. “You feel like someone else is speaking through you.”
One difference between the book and film appeares in the young gplfer's love interest. Although much sweeter than typical teenage love themes, Cook said he added it into the screenwriting because he’d like to do a sequel in which the golfer returns to deal with the girl.
“I want to focus on this thing called fear that men live with,” Cook said. “We hurt women because of it.”
Milla Jovovich snaps a selfie with Richard Linklater.Photo by Arnold Wells
Left to right: Esteban Powell, Mark Vandermeulen, and Wiley Wiggins.Photo by Christine St. Laurent
Left to right: Christine Harnos, Joey Lauren Adams, and Marissa Ribisi.Photo by Christine St. Laurent
The cast and Linklater stuck around for a Q&A after the film's screening at The Paramount.Photo by Christine St. Laurent