Greg Thorenson is a big name on the pro golf tour and is in the running for a big purse in the current tournament he is playing. When he finds that his main competitor in this tourney is none other than Rio “River” Vargas, he is very interested in renewing his friendship with the Spanish golfer. Six years earlier, Greg and River had a short-lived affair during an international collegiate golf tournament. Greg beat River in that tournament, and when the competition was over so was their affair.

River seems to be happy to see Greg, and they resume their acquaintance as if they were never apart. Greg worries about what will happen when the golf competition is over, though. Will history repeat itself? Will River disappear once again without another word when it is over? Suddenly the prize purse is not as important to Greg as it used to be. It might be worth losing the tournament on purpose if he can maintain his relationship with River.

Hole in One by Carolina Valdez takes a look at love among the golf links. This unique story takes two young professional golfers and examines whether professional competition will ruin their friendship and their budding love affair. Of the two main characters, the only one we really get to know is Greg, who in the end realizes his own arrogance in assuming that he is the better player. This is a nice touch, I believe, and makes Greg a more sympathetic character, because humility is definitely a more attractive characteristic than is egotism.

I can’t really pin down why this story didn’t appeal to me. Overall, the story is well written, but there is a certain awkwardness to the wording of the love scenes that put me off a little. I enjoyed the professional golf aspect of the story, however. The details regarding the golf tourney are well done and make the story feel realistic. If you are a golf fan, you will probably enjoy reading Hole in One.

Reviewed by: Whitney