WHIT SHEPPARD
author
’83
A Dash of Deerfield in Chicken Soup for the Soul Hugely popular, Chicken Soup for the Soul has
Chris Sheppard ’54, who died in 2002. The essay
published hundreds of titles about family and
focuses on Mr. Sheppard’s golfing relationship with
personal dynamics. One of the most recent books,
his dad but it is really about much more than their
released in April of 2009, is Chicken Soup for
interaction while playing a game.
the Soul: The Golf Book, and a contributor to that
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Golf Book – 101 Great Stories from the Course and the Clubhouse; Jack Canfield, et al, Chicken Soup for the Soul, 2009. Photograph: istockphoto.com
book was Whit Sheppard ’83.
Mr. Sheppard wrote, “Something I really like about golf is the way it illuminates and sheds light on the
“I saw a call for submissions in Golf Digest, wrote
essential character of those who play the game.
the piece, and sent it in by email,” Mr. Sheppard
The game has a knack for enhancing the positive
said. His essay, titled “Dreamer,” made the cut out
attributes of those who play it and shining a light on
of 3000 submissions. Mr. Sheppard commented,
the character defects that we all struggle with from
“My piece was fortunate enough to make it through.
time to time. (Some, I’m afraid, more than others.)
decision, though, since Mr. Sheppard is a skilled
We’ve all played with the guy who gives himself five-footers to halve a hole without the faintest indication of guilt or remorse. That says something
author who has been writing professionally for over
important, I think, about the golfer in question.”
(It was) an exciting day when I found out.” Perhaps fortune had little to do with the editors’
a decade. He most recently covered Grand Slam tennis for ESPN.com, and is currently working on a biography of tennis great Arthur Ashe. He also teaches English and French at an independent day school in Richmond, VA.
Mr. Sheppard went on to describe his father as “a dreamer whose optimistic streak far surpassed the reality of life . . . ,” and how this trait in turn affected Mr. Sheppard’s own life. Never turning completely away from his father, Mr. Sheppard acknowledged
The Chicken Soup series is billed as a collection of
the fact that he never quite believed in him, either,
great, true personal stories to inspire and amuse.
but a common bond was formed and maintained
Mr. Sheppard chose to write about his father,
through the game of golf.
classnotes@deerfield.edu
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