Open: Inside the Ropes at Bethpage Black

Having read "A Good Walk Spoiled" and "The Majors" I surmised that John Feinstein had exhausted his insights on the subject of golf. However, "The Open" showed me that Feinstein can go low whenever he writes about golf. Somehow, he is able to provide information that make events come alive and keep the pages turning. Having been a caddy myself in High School, I enjoyed the inside the ropes details Feinstein provided. When it comes to writing about golf, Feinstein is the man! Good shot.

Feinstein's creation was aptly named... "Open". The national championship is open to all entrants, the public course that hosted it was open to all who wished to play it and the USGA finally agreed to open its closed doors and allow a great author to document what goes into running this major championship.Feinstein allows the reader to be a fly on the wall as David Fay (Executive Director of the USGA) formulates his dream of hosting the U.S. Open on a truly public facility and watches that dream become a stunning reality. Along the way he answers a number of questions that the avid and/or casual golf fan has probably wondered: How do they create the pairings? How do they choose the host course? What exactly does the USGA do and how do they interact with the PGA Tour?Feinstein also captures the pride and character of the New Yorkers who call the course home and couldn't wait to see how the best players in the world would fare on The Black. As one of those New Yorkers myself, I can truly say that Feinstein's narrative on this point is right on the money.The only criticism I have is around his chronology of the final round. He states that Tiger was on 13th hole when the weather delay hit, but Tiger had yet to tee of on 12 when they halted play. This becomes even more important when one considers the tee shot Tiger had to hit after a 45 minute delay on 12, the longest par 4 in U.S. Open history. As Roger Maltbie said on the NBC coverage - "I can't think of a another tee shot I would least like to hit than this one after a rain delay." Tiger, of course, striped it 300 yds down the middle and made par on his way to the championship.I was fortunate enough to volunteer at last year's Open all four days and I look forward to doing it again in 2009 when it returns.

I have to admit to not being the world's biggest golf fan but in the hands of an expert storyteller like Feinstein, the sport takes on a life of its own. Initial reviews highlighted the lengthy build-up/preparation for the tournament as a negative, but the scene setting really allows the reader to delve into the psyche (not only of the players, but of the Open itself). Do yourself a favor and buy this book.

If you're looking for a fascinating book whose main purpose is not simply to provide a narration and analysis of the competition at Bethpage this book is for you. Mr. Feinstein describes the transformation of the Black course for the 2002 US Open Championship with the entusiasm of a devoted fan and the broad perspective and clarity of a truly talented golf writer and reporter. For those of us fortunate enough to participate directly at Bethpage as fans, volunteers or interested onlookers this book completes the first chapter on the use of a truly public (State owned) facility as a worthy venue for our national golf championship. Seldom, if ever, have we been allowed to glimpse the preparation for and staging of a major sporting event from start to finish. This work is as much about golf as golf is about life.

In his book "Open...Inside the Ropes at Bethpage Black" John Feinstein truly takes you inside the ropes at one of the most talked about golf championships in history. Beyond Golf, the 2002 US Open at Bethpage Black was unusual for so many reasons. From the inner workings at the USGA, The New York State Parks Department, NBC Sports, to the Long Island Railroad, you get a real sense this was more than a typical 72 holes of Golf. Be prepared to miss a few rounds as this is a difficult book to put down.