The Author: Gene Walden

Author/Illustrator Gene Walden

Gene Walden, who wrote and illustrated Matchup at Adventure Land Golf, is the best-selling author of about thirty books, although most are non-fiction. He is a former newspaper reporter, photographer, and columnist, a magazine editor, and a contributor to a number of prominent publications, such as The Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, Money, and Consumer Digest. A graduate of Indiana University, Gene now makes his home in Minnesota. Gene is also a competitive amateur golfer who recently launched the website, golfcrossfitness.com, which is the sister site here along with Spinspeedbooks.com.

His next book, When Teacher Sysinki Says ‘Nenky’ is scheduled for release in Summer 2026. (You can take a sneak peak by watching the fully animated, narrated version of Teacher Sysinki for free on our site.)

Inspiring Matchup

On a trip to Colorado, Gene had a chance to play Estes Park Golf Course, where a very large herd of friendly elk resided. “There were 600-pound horned elk sitting contentedly on the fringe of the greens watching me putt,” he recalls. “Others crowded the fairway, compelling me to hit safely around them. At one point, I looked toward the green and there were dozens of elk all around me and beautiful snow-capped mountains in the distance. And that’s when it hit me! What an awesome setting for a children’s adventure book! I could envision a tournament where two cute little kids played through wild animals and beautiful settings. It took five years to make it happen, but it was a creative opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Launching Matchup

Gene launched Matchup at Adventure Land Golf October 25, 2025 in Cassopolis, Michigan, at a book-signing event that raised nearly $5,000 for the Cassopolis Food Shelf. Gene donated his royalties, and two local businesses donated books and covered printing costs. “It was a huge gesture of support from the community,” said Gene. “They really stepped up at a time of great need.”

The two boys who were the models for the cartoon characters in the book also met for the first time in real life at the event. One is from Michigan and the other is from Minnesota. Once they met, they played, they tussled, they hit some golf balls, they came in side and helped the author sign some books. And, along the way, they became fast friends and vowed to meet again soon — just like their characters in the book!