There are different levels of play in the tournament, and Sam is teamed up with three older boys in the fourteen to seventeen age bracket. There is Chad Ashworth, Jr., who is dressed to the nines, and has a professional set of new looking clubs.  Definitely a Country Club kind of guy.  Buzzy is prone to verbal profanity and very loud tantrums when his game doesn't go quite right, and then there is seventeen-year old Mark Crowe, with his long hair, and cigarette smoking indifferent attitude. He's bad news from the start. 

Sam definitely has his ups-and downs during the game, but he meets the challenges with integrity and honesty, and makes an exciting par on the 7th hole. There are many unexpected obstacles, and a frightening confrontation between Sam and Mark Crowe as Sam stands up for what he knows is right.  

The realistic characters are just like some people you probably know. Rosa incorporates some wonderful moral lessons in this easy to read, fast paced story that would encourage even reluctant readers to join Sam Parma in a game of golf.  I hope to see more of Sam's adventures from this talented first time author.