Zen and the Art of Making Par

A full-length play in two acts by Thomas M. Kelly.  © 2004

Francis is a thirty-three year old Captain in the United States Marine Corps who will not admit that he suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome. It is common for people who have been traumatized to develop medical and psychological symptoms associated with the experience.

Francis and his wife divorced before he was sent with his Marine unit to Iraq. She, an engineer, was sent by her company to Iraq to rebuild bridges. On her way to the airport just outside Baghdad, she was killed by an improvised explosive devise. On a leave from the Corps for rest and recuperation he travels to Scotland where he has made plans to meet a friend for a round of golf at the birthplace of golf: St. Andrews, the Old Course. His friend sends his regrets. Francis is left at the practice tee where he meets an eccentric old man, Donal'. On the first green they meet Santikaro, a blind East Indian traveler in search of truth.

The happenstance traveler, even though blind, is induced to become Francis' caddie. Santikaro finds fault with each of the two players golf games, and their lives. On the eighteenth green he disappears as nicely as he appeared. They are left to rediscover the way to a meaningful existence.

Available in paperback and Kindle edition on Amazon.

ASIN: B009M5K80G