ROUGHING IT
A synopsis by
Manuel “Dusty” Rodriguez grew up poor and Mexican in Salinas, California, but learned to golf because he caddied at nearby Pebble Beach. He had a chip on his shoulder, though, and did not pursue the game because he was peeved at the perceived insults he had endured because of his race and financial background.
Despite being a promising junior, Dusty settled in to life in Salinas, hanging out at bars and running with a rough crowd. He played occasionally, usually on the sly, and did not let his friends know that he still played the “white man’s game.” One of those friends is Pedro Hernandez, a troubled fellow who has been in and out of jail all his life. Pedro and Dusty have history, though, and Dusty remains loyal to his old friend.
One day, playing at a public course, Dusty runs into a local celebrity, Clive Westhead, a great actor, one-time Mayor, and at 6-6 the tallest man on the course. Westhead, a man of the people, likes playing the public course because he tires of the pretentiousness at Pebble, and he remembers Dusty from his Pebble days. He joins up with him, they recall the old days, and Clive is amazed at how good Dusty still is. He invites Dusty to play in an upcoming pro/am, and Dusty agrees.
Dusty runs into resistance from his homeboy friends. He and Pedro have a falling out, but Dusty decides to follow his talent. Along the way, he meets Alicia Davidez, a beautiful local sportscaster. They hit it off.
Dusty does well in the pro/am, and improves every match after that. He hits the tour and is a celeb, a big story because of who he is and where he comes from. He gets too big for his britches, and Alicia reminds him that he is not the same guy he was. Alicia tells him that she will not be with him anymore, but to call her if he ever finds the “real Dusty.”
The tour offers many inducements, though, and Dusty makes himself available to the many young lovelies. Finally, a big match is on the horizon, and Dusty is favored. He and another young pheenom, Bear Forrest, are the two hottest players in golf.
Just before the big match, Dusty is approached by gamblers, who tell him that they are holding Pedro, who has gotten in deep trouble with the Mob. They tell him had better beat Bear, or Pedro is dead. At first, Dusty figures that Pedro got in trouble on his own and he is not responsible for him
However, he feels the pressure, and knows he must be at his best for his friend. In a dramatic match, he beats Bear. Pedro is released, and they become friends again.
In a final scene, Dusty is back in Salinas with his friends from childhood. Pedro, now working for him and out of trouble, is by his side. Dusty runs into Alicia, who admires that he has decided to come back down to Earth, and their future together is hopeful.
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