Golfing legend Ben Hogan went to his grave believing he had won a record five US Open titles. The USGA says otherwise, and the controversy has endured for over 75 years. In 1942, the United States Golf Association (USGA) cancelled its four golf tournaments for the duration of World War II. But then it did something different in only that year-it sponsored the Hale-America National Open on the same weekend as the cancelled US Open. The great Ben Hogan won that tournament and went to his grave believing he had therefore won a record five US Open titles. In The Open Question, Peter May turns his attention to this controversial, colorful Hale-America National Open of 1942. While providing an in-depth look at the tournament itself, May champions Hogan's claim to five US Open titles and debunks some questionable assertions that the tournament was not worthy of a US Open. Set against the backdrop of World War II, May also tells the stories of other professional golfers in the tournament and the impact of the war on all their lives. The USGA has never recognized the Hale-America Tournament as an official US Open and remains firm in its stance. It was a decision that bothered Ben Hogan for the rest of his life. The Open Question shows how dominant Ben Hogan was against some of the biggest names in golf, and reveals why he deserves to be recognized as a five-time US Open winner.
Industry Reviews
Avid fans of any combination of Ben Hogan, the U.S. Open or World War II history in will want to clear their reading list for The Open Question. * GolfPass * If you ever wish to start a barroom brawl at a Texas golf clubhouse, just bring up the Hale America National Open and hold on to your 10-gallon hat. Over the past eight decades many have made it a matter for serious discussion. Veteran sportswriter Peter May tackles the subject in his new book.... The book covers a great deal of territory and has the air of a thriller. The author gives readers the chance to develop their own conclusions and be part of the continuing controversy, which may never be settled to anyone's satisfaction. But remember: Hold onto your hat! * Metropolitan Golf Association * Peter May offers an in-depth look at the 1942 Hale-America National Open while also presenting a compelling case to correct one of the game's great wrongs by awarding Hogan a fifth US Open championship, giving him his rightful title as the greatest U.S. Open winner of all time. -- Ron Sirak, Longtime Golf Digest writer, Golf Channel contributor and recipient of the PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism Peter May's very thorough research is just what was needed to shed light on one of golf's historical controversies, while compellingly telling the stories of players whose lives and careers were affected by the onset of World War II. -- David Barrett, author of Miracle at Merion: The Inspiring Story of Ben Hogan's Amazing Comeback and Victory in the 1950 US Open When is a US Open not a US Open? When the USGA says it's not, even though it sure quacked like a golfing duck. Peter May takes us through the fascinating saga of Ben Hogan and the 1942 Hale-America National Open, which Hogan won and which had every trapping of a US Open, including a medal that looked suspiciously like the ones given to all US Open winners. Along the way, you'll meet all the key golfers of that era, including an un-retired Bobby Jones. There is plenty here for any golf fan, or sports fan, for that matter. -- Bob Ryan, former award-winning Boston Globe columnist and ESPN commentator If you ever wanted to get the scoop on the true story of Ben Hogan's fifth US Open, or Bobby Jones' service in World War II, you would do well to have Peter May conduct the investigation. His efforts are thorough and exhaustive as he turns over every stone and his skill at communicating with the well-crafted phrase is both entertaining and illuminating. -- Sidney L. Matthew, author of Bobby: The Life and Times of Bobby Jones
