Production Notes

The concept for the film began as an opportunity to document the challenge of training to be a professional golfer, a chance to merge two of Fitzgerald’s greatest passions, golf and filmmaking.

From the outset, the film poses the question – Would this be possible, starting at the age of 40, juggling a family and a challenging day job? This quest dictates the production schedule, as the filmmakers aim to capture the relevance of assembling the right team. They need a professional swing coach, and to make use of technological advances in training devices. A medical doctor, with elite training experience, would test the physiological boundaries. The fitness instructor would set out a golf-centric regimen. And with a new mental coach, Fitzgerald develops a stronger mind-body connection.

Vignone and Fitzgerald bring different strengths and experience to the project, hoping the balance the personal journey with elements of golf as a sport. While it was important to infuse the project with traditional aspects of storytelling and the human condition, it was equally important to uncover the history, training and competition related to the world of golf.

As with any meaningful documentary film, filmmakers had to begin with a story structure in mind, covering all facets of the lead and supporting characters, while incorporating the unpredictability of events and experiences to come. It was important to establish the ordinary world, the current life routine. At the same time, filmmakers embrace the surprises, and the discovery of familial wounds that have been buried for some time. In fact, THE BACK NINE becomes a vehicle to uncover deep seeded issues between father and son.

As part of the research of golf and Fitzgerald history, father and son embark on a trip to the UK. The Fitzgeralds have an opportunity to play the courses at the home of golf, from St Andrews to Prestwick, an experience they have trouble putting into words. From there, he and his father take the short trip to Ireland with, where they learn of their family’s royalty during the early years of the country. The Fitzgeralds stay at the Carton House, where Lord Edward Fitzgerald was born, and where Stanley Kubrick shot BARRY LYNDON. Then it’s a night at the Fitzgerald owned Glin Castle, yet another storied compound.

What started as an inspirational journey, the challenge to realize a dream, becomes a story about a person searching for identity, and balance. Over the course of production, experts reveal the time commitment necessary to achieve expert level of performance. Yet, the family faces it’s own challenges and the questions mount. Would it be possible to break the cycle of the broken homes from where Fitzgerald and his wife come? They have a wonderful daughter; but would it be possible to have more children? With their “predator” loan, and mounting debt, would the Fitzgerald’s be able to keep their house? Pay for their daughter’s ballet class and piano lessons and hopefully welcome and provide for a new member of the family?

During production, they get the most surprising and amazing answer of them all, when Cindy becomes pregnant with their second child. Halfway through the filming, Grayson Green Fitzgerald is born. This is a wonderful addition to the family, and to the production.

The film was truly a family affair, and not just in terms of subjects and personalities. Fitzgerald’s wife Cindy was able to secure a putting green sponsor, working with Synlawn on benefit package to ultimately have practice green installed in their backyard. And 7-year old daughter Sidney worked with her piano instructor, composer Kevin Brough, to write the theme for the movie.

What the filmmakers have hoped to capture is the evolution of Fitzgerald’s character, as he chases a dream of playing professional sports. What occurs is a shift in priorities. While the dream of playing professional golf is still very much alive, a new goal takes center stage. No longer defined by career success, Fitzgerald develops a stronger conviction to provide the support he and his family need to find the right path. Coming from broken homes, he and his wife endeavor to break the cycle.