Rick Kogan sits down with Don J. Snyder to talk about his extraordinary life and work. As a child, Snyder never knew that his mother died 16 days after giving birth to him and his twin brother. It was his father’s secret — and it would become the story that defined Snyder’s life.

Snyder is the author of multiple novels and nonfiction books, including his newest, “Walking With Jack: A Father’s Journey to Become His Son’s Caddie.” In the memoir, Snyder tells the story of his effort to connect with his son by moving to St. Andrews, Scotland, and learning the tricks of the trade from the world’s best caddies.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Kogan and Snyder discuss how he became a writer, why he moved halfway across the world to get closer to his son and how he finally discovered who his mother was —  and how she died.

In the beginning of this interview, Mavis Staples talks about her preconceptions of white people in a clip provided by “Jubilee Showcase.”

This audio is taken from wgnradio.com and they hold the copyright.

Don J. Snyder on Chicago Tribune Radio

Revisiting the Past To Share a Mother's Untold Story By Charity Nebbe and Emily Woodbury

Don Snyder never got to know his mother. She died just sixteen days after he and his twin brother were born in 1950. The truth about her death remained a secret for decades. Today on Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe talks with Don about discovering his mother’s secret and what he hopes to accomplish by telling her story. Audio is copyright of Iowa Public Radio and taken from their website www.iowapublicradio.org

Don J. Snyder on Iowa Public Radio - October 17, 2013

A Father’s Journey to Become His Son’s Caddie

June 13, 2013

Mark Twain described the sport of golf as “A good walk spoiled.”

Eighteen tiny holes dotted across a vast course — with only yourself to blame if things go wrong between the tee and the pin.

But, in golf, there is a shoulder to lean on, a light in dark places– a shepherd. The caddie.

And writer Don Snyder knows a thing or two about caddying. When his son wanted to be a pro golfer, Snyder went back to school. Caddy school. In Scotland, so that he could walk beside him.

Audio taken from WBUR's website www.radioboston.wbur.org

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