Open: Inside the Ropes at Bethpage Black

by John Feinstein

Tiger Woods has called the U.S. Open "the most difficult national championship." With Open, John Feinstein goes behind the scenes to tell for the first time the full story of how the 2002 U.S. Open Championship came into being-how a public course was transformed into one of the most difficult and surprising in the tournament's history, and how the greatest golfers in the world rose to its almost insurmountable challenges.

The Black course at the public golf club in Bethpage, New York, has long had a mythic status among golfers. Designed by legendary course architect A. W. Tillinghast in 1936, it is known as a work of genius-with long fairways, gorgeous vistas, and roughs and bunkers that stymie all but the very best golfers. It is a course where any player can compete, but its cult reputation means that golfers often have to camp overnight in the parking lot to get a tee time the next day. The 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black was the first time in history that golf's greatest championship had been held at a true public course. Open is the full drama of that championship, from the moment that officials first considered holding it there until the last putt rolled in at dusk on Sunday. Along the way, John Feinstein reveals the full glory of golf as it's never been explored before. He digs deep to find out what it really takes to make golf's most famous event worthy of the champions who compete in it. He tells the remarkable story of the artisans who transformed the Black from a downtrodden and rough-around-the-edges public course to one that top pros hailed as "unbelievable" and "the toughest par-70 I've ever played in my life." He also tracks the drama of the masters who battled for supremacy at the Black-Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Nick Faldo, Phil Mickelson, Jeff Maggert-to show how true champions respond to the toughest conditions.

Open is the story of people who devote their entire lives to golf, both behind the scenes and inside the ropes. Their struggles and exhilarations as they master the monster known as Bethpage Black make for a story every golf lover will want to read again and again.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

John Feinstein was an American sportswriter, author, and sports commentator.

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a sports book, this was very good, and I would give it more than three stars, but it was a sports book, and to give it a better score would be unfair to books that are just plain better. The book tells the story of the 2002 U.S. Open held at Bethpage Black - the first U.S. Open at a public course - from the day the idea was conceived until the end of the championship. The story is compelling, and if you enjoy golf, worth reading. There is nothing challenging about reading this book except keeping up with the people involved in pulling off the championship, but if you've always wanted to know what it takes to make the U.S. Open happen, this is the book for you. I found it especially interesting, because I just finished volunteering at the 2007 U.S. Open held at Oakmont Country Club. I even met/saw a few of the people mentioned in the book, and I realize how monumental a task pulling off the U.S. Open must be.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is improperly titled, in my opinion. It says "Inside the Ropes at Bethpage Black" as part of the title. There's no denying that, once again, John Feinstein provides deft sports writing from a "behind the scenes" perspective. However, this book is not so much about the U.S. Open participants and what happenes "inside the ropes" during the event as it is about the personnel at the USGA, and what they endure in preparations leading up to a major tournament. Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, NY was the first true municipal golf course to host the national championship in 2002 (they will do so again in 2009). It was especially interesting to find out more about the specifics that went into this unique choice of venue.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded to 3.

[Len Knighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED by Mark Frost is the best golf book I have ever read. It is about the 1913 US OPEN in Brookline, Massachusetts. That book focused on the principal players and the action.
This book, about the 2002 US OPEN from Bethpage on Long Island, is far different. It’s about a dream come true, the dream of David Fay of the United States Golf Association (USGA) to hold the Open on a public golf course instead of on a private country club.
In August 1983 I had five days off from work and decided to drive from Pottstown, Pennsylvania to Morgan Center, Vermont to visit my grandfather. I made a game of it, striving to make the trip, solo, in nine hours. The planning was invigorating, the execution stimulating and exhausting at the same time. Nearly forty years later, I still cherish every moment.
Such will be the experience of those hundreds of men and women who planned and executed every detail of Fay’s dream, a five plus year labor of love, love of Bethpage, love of golf.
John Feinstein chronicles it beautifully. The persons featured are not household names; most of the players are just blips on the screen. But those persons behind the scenes made the 2002 US OPEN not only memorable but very profitable.
Don’t expect a lot of golf action in this book. Indeed, there are very few words devoted to the play of that June weekend. But as I read it, one thought kept rising in my head: I cannot wait to get back on the links.

Four stars waxing

[Gerald Matzke]

This book presents a comprehensive look at the preparations that had to be made for the 2002 US Open golf tournament held at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in New York. What makes this significant is that this would be the first time that the US Open would be played at a public golf course. It had always been considered a difficult course but it had become run down. The USGA took over a renovation of the course and over a period of six years transformed it into a course that was more than worthy of hosting a national championship. Feinstein does a masterful job of giving the reader a look at the challenges and frustrations as well as the politics of dealing with the various agencies involved in putting on this prestigious championship. Reading the book on the week of the 2017 Open, also being held on a public course, made this an enjoyable and informative inside look a how this championship comes together. Even if you are not a golfer, you should be able to appreciate the thorough treatment that is given to this topic by John Feinstein.

[Russ Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about the 2002 US Open Golf Championship focuses on four main characters:

1. The municipal Black Course at Bethpage State Park
2. The professional and amateur golfers who seek glory specific to their life situations
3. The local New Yorkers who flocked to the championship less than a year after 9/11/2001
4. The USGA, New York State Park staff, and volunteers who pulled the event off.

Feinstein can sometimes lose readers in the weeds of details in the stories and I've also read enough of his books to flip through the anecdotes that he's already shared elsewhere. Thankfully, most of his chapters find the fairway and his love for the world of professional golf is obvious.

When I closed the book, I got on the Internet and learned that the closest upcoming Major to where I live is the 2022 Senior PGA in Benton Harbor, Michigan. I started the process of registering as a volunteer. I found all their slots already filled except for some the PGA store. Too bad. It would be fun to experience a Major for myself inside the ropes sometime.

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this book 3.5 stars - but that's not an option on here. I didn't dislike the book, there were just A LOT of players to remember and keep track of and at times it got overwhelming. Other than that, this book is a good read not just for golfers, but for event planners. It's the play by play account of all the blood sweat and tears that went into making the Black Course at Bethpage a US Open site. It took years or work, negotiations, contracts, money, and hard work to transform the old public golf course into a masterpiece worthy of hosting a major golf championship there. Many thought it could never be done because traditionally all championships are played at ritzy private courses. But one man's dream became reality and Open is the story of hard work, perseverance, and the love of golf.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is pretty "insider golf." It's less about the tournament results and the golfing and more (I'd say approximately 85%) about how the 2002 U.S. Open came to be: from the USGA's desire to host the Open on a public course to the course makeover and redesign to the logistics of hosting a huge golf tournament while appeasing the state of NY.

If you're into that stuff (I am), it's a fascinating read. If you're looking to read about drama on the golf course - the golfing kind, not the logistical kind - this is not that book. But if you're interested in how thousands of different people come together to make something like this happen, I think you'll enjoy it.

[Howard Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Open is an exhaustive story about the USOpen golf tournament coming to a public golf course for the first time. While the detail may wear on a reader at some point, in retrospect I think it made sense. You learn more about the various directors of the tournament than you would expect, but it brings out the point that these tv shows don’t happen without skilled, dedicated people who have been working on this one event for years. Definitely for the golf fan and rewarding for the fan who cares about more than the scores.

[Sasha Morledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great, comprehensive, “inside-the-ropes” golf read from a masterful writer. Having played the Black course twice and an extensive knowledge of the Bethpage grounds, the course knowledge of different tee boxes, course layout, and the thick rough of Tilly’s municipal gem gave this book a special quality. Feinstein has a direct yet in-depth tone to his coverage of the first US Open on a public course. Wonderful read. Cannot wait for Ryder Cup 2025 in September….who will get caught in the “Great Hazard” on the brutal 4th or succumb to “Heartbreak Hill” on the 15th?!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint is that the book doesn’t spend enough time on the actual championship. Feinstein does an excellent job diving deep into how the US Open first got to Bethpage, and made it into an extremely engaging tale. The different figures came alive, and the course became its own character. I was extremely engaged at this point, and the description of the tournament was so weak that the ending was a bit of a letdown. Overall, a great, fun read for golf fans, but it could have been so much better.

[Bobby Smieszny · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has worked in event management and sports, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the nitty gritty planning that goes into a sporting event of this magnitude. The usual person does not think about parking and evacuation plans on a daily basis. As others mentioned, most of the book is focused on the lead up to the tournament, and only the last few chapters are dedicated to following the actual golf played. However, if you’re into golf, I highly recommend this behind the curtain look at the US Open!

[Chris Gager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this at one of the local libraries - on a giveaway shelf I think. I've always been a golf fan but gave up playing it many years ago. This book spends relatively little time on the actual tournament and more on all the background stuff and the people who make it/made it all happen. I particularly enjoyed the close look at the qualifying process for all the players who didn't get exemptions.

- One of the players actually had a girlfriend named Beth Page.

- 3.25* rounds down to 3*.

[Anthony Regateiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful read discussing the ins and outs of prep for the 2002 US Open at Bethpage Black. As a Bethpage native and golf junkie, I enjoyed learning how much goes into planning a major, in my home town nonetheless! My only complaint is that the middle of the book talks a lot about random golfers I have never heard of trying to qualify for the open. Not necessary in my opinion. When talking about the Open prep and the actual event, very interesting!

[Christopher Gustini · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former USGA employee and advocate for public golf this was a perfect read. It had the right amount of exploring the history of the US Open and the inner workings of the USGA. It also did a great job shining light on all the insane aspects that make a golf tournament happen. Great read before the Ryder Cup at Bethpage this year!

[Todd Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very in-depth backstory about how the US Open went to Bethpage in 2002. I learned a lot about the course, the business side of the pro tour, and am now PSYCHED to watch the PGA championships at the BLACK this weekend!

[Lance Bravin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I play most of my golf at the Bethpage State Park complex. The book was a terrific behind the scenes look into the USGA. I loved the local flavor of the book and couldn’t put it down. I reread every 7 or 8 years. Great for golf lovers and better for NY golfers.

[Michael Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great look at the business side of putting on an event like the US Open anywhere, but especially at a location that's never been done before. Must read for golf fans, or anyone that has to put on events as part of their job.

[Gabriel]

There are passages that are a long read. Had to struggle a bit to continue reading. Much about the role the Gov. of New York had in the tournament. All the work in having the US Open in Long Island.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of how the USGA puts together a Open championship. Plus the fact that Fey chose Bethpage and how all the details leading up to the final day.

Nice to walk down memory lane since I was there.

[Jack Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feinstein at his best! The behind the scenes access and the stories he relays are always fascinating! I decided to read a few of the books I had on my list once I heard of his untimely passing! He will truly be missed!!

[Benjamin Trotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a five star book leading up to the end. The recap of the tournament was a little slow and just repeated a bunch of stuff serious golf fans already knew.

[Guenther Sagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and well written

[David Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the challenges of putting on a US Open Championship more than it about golf itself. Unless you are a BIG fan of golf, you might want to skip this one.

[Jon Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those easy read books that Julian return is starting to feel dated.

[Scott Frey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed everything about this book.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sub par

[Les Magura · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this golf book as well, enjoy his writing

[Ryan Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting at times, but I had to force myself to finish it. Turns out the story of a golf tournament can only go so far when it's not part of a larger story.

[Jeff Revello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting on how they made the Open happen from nothing. Good read for locals as there are many landmarks you either know or don’t.