Starting the US Open: From Shinnecock to Pebble Beach

by Ron Read

Overview

For 23 years, Ron Read witnessed the toughest shot in golf, the opening drive from the #1 tee of the United States Open Championship. A vantage point few have enjoyed. The US Open ranks with the World Series, the Super Bowl, and Wimbledon for its prestige and meaning to its respective sport. Each year, the world's top players come to America and compete to be the best golfer, among the toughest field, on the most unyielding golf course possible. Throughout his celebrated career, Ron formed enduring relationships with golfers, caddies, sportscasters and writers, course superintendents, and many others.

In Starting the US Open, Ron takes us inside the ropes, through clubhouse, and into the inner sanctum to bring us the stories that will reveal what has made this tournament and this sport truly special in the eyes of fans and players alike. More than a great read, Starting the US Open is a great experience. "Play Away Please!"

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781732239159
Publisher:	APG Sales & Distribution
Publication date:	06/12/2019
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

For his entire professional career, Ron Read has served the Game of Golf in various capacities being employed by Northern California Golf Association and the United States Golf Association. The USGA, alongside the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, are the governing body of the sport of golf. Ron has been eyewitness to the great moments the cameras never saw and heard the words never recorded; only remembered by so many. Ron and his wife, Missy, reside in Carmel Valley, California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction xii

1 Starting-My Style 1

2 The Little Watch That Could 5

3 Life at the First Tee: Welcome to Show Biz 6

4 The Introduction 13

5 The U.S. Open vs. The Open 16

6 My Last Words 17

7 Fuzzy Zoeller and Hubert Green: They Did What? 18

8 2005: Please Retrieve Not the Ball but the Governor 20

9 The No. 1 Question 22

10 1999: When Jumbo Wouldn't Budge 24

11 The Start of My U.S. Open Experience 27

12 Another Mentor: Frank Hannigan 37

13 1992: This Open Almost Closed Before It Opened 42

14 2007: Chaos and Levity at Oakmont 45

15 Wanted: A Referee in the U.S. Open 47

16 Being Put in My Place-Again 50

17 2008: Torrey Pines-Tiger, Phil, and Adam 52

18 1983: Anger and Hilarity in the Skies 55

19 1988: Strange Open in Beantown 58

20 1996: Time to Spare at Oakland Hills-Not 63

21 1986: Lanny Wadkins: Who's on First? 66

22 1994: Ernie Els at Oakmont 68

23 1992: Pebble Beach-Tom Smith: 'I Need a Driver, Stat!' 70

24 1983: Forrest Fezler-A Shorts Story 72

25 Bernhard Langer Beats the Clock 74

26 1992: Where's Oswestry? 76

27 2003: The Flag: Back Where It Belongs 79

28 1999: Pinehurst: Amazing Grace 83

29 2004: Joe Ogilvie: The Man Can Multitask 85

30 The USGA Goes Green 89

31 Arnie: Always Giving Fans What They Came to See 91

32 Ready, Willing, and Able 93

33 Tiger Tees 96

34 Cue Tee 98

35 Keeping It Open to All 99

36 1985: How Would You Like to Play in the U.S. Open? 102

37 Hope Springs Eternal 106

38 One Too Many 110

39 Sometimes, It Pays to Take the Call 111

40 Roger Maltbie: Taken for a Ride 114

41 Newton's Favorite Golf Rule Was Mine, Too 118

42 The Dreamers, and One of the Best U.S. Open Stories of All Time 121

43 2002: Ben Crane: Quick to Do Good 128

44 Bob Hollister-He Left the Game Better 130

45 2006: Jeff Sluman-The Man Deserved a Mulligan in My Book 134

46 2006: Good Things Come in Small Packages 137

47 2000: Jeff Coston at Pebble Beach 139

48 Nicklaus at Registration 142

49 Jack Nicklaus-The Sorter Side 146

50 1994: Joey Ferrari-The Biggest Smile at the U.S. Open 148

51 Arnold Palmer-The Goodness of the Man 151

52 I Have a Dream, Too 155

53 Paul Simson-The Theft of a Walker Cup Berth 158

54 1998: Matt Kuchar Was Steamed 161

55 1990: There's a First Time for Everything 163

56 1997: Faldo: I Wouldn't Want to Play in the Tiger Circus Again 166

57 Where'd All These People Come From? 168

58 1991: Jack: I'm Never Going to Hit Another Bad Shot 170

59 Janzen: Failing at Cleanup Duty 173

60 2001: A Scout's Motto: 'Be Prepared' 178

61 1983: Creative Accounting: You Do What You Have to Do 180

62 2000: Jack Says Farewell to the U.S. Open 182

63 1993: This Tiger Was Never a Kitten 185

64 2006: 'Build It Day One to Hold the U.S. Open: The Story of Chambers Bay 187

65 1983: Ping! 196

66 2004: My Fathers Day Idea 199

67 It's About Time 201

68 1986: My First Autograph 203

69 No Respect for the Rules 204

70 Think the Game Has Changed? 207

71 The Lighter Side of Rules Officiating 209

72 No Room for Error Here-Scoring 213

73 This Good Deed Paid High Dividends-to the Game 217

74 Frosh Hazing 220

75 Out with an Old Tradition and in with a New 222

76 The U.S. Opens Most Dreaded Word-Playoff 224

77 Rudy's Chair 226

78 Starters Time 229

79 Golf Is a Passport to Friendship 230