The British Open : A Twentieth-Century History of Golf's Greatest Championship [Hardcover]

Francis Murray (Author), Gary Player (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 11, 2000

First played in 1860, the British Open is truly the world championship of golf and the most complete test of a player's game. This fully illustrated book covers all the great players and moments in its history, from the Great Triumvirate of Vardon, Taylor, and Braid to recent championships dominated by Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, and others. With full results for the last 100 years, histories and maps of all the rota courses, and a complete records section, it's a comprehensive volume for any golf fan's library.
-- Features recollections from selected Open champions
-- Contains photographs never previously published in any golf book
-- Follows how course alterations and equipment developments have influenced the championship

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Many championships qualify as opens, but when the word "Open" stands alone following the definite article, it refers to only one tournament. The oldest and most prestigious of golf's great championships, the British Open first teed off at Prestwick in 1860, and no golfer's résumé is fully complete until his name has been inscribed on the Claret Jug claimed by the victor.

The British Open chronicles the tournament's history as neatly as a caddie organizes his player's bag. Fully illustrated with contemporary and archival photos, it begins at the beginning, establishing 10 overall eras of play--such as "The Early Years 1860-1900," "The Golden Years 1920-1933," and "The Era of Nicklaus, Player, and Trevino 1963-1974"--and within them, devotes a chapter to each tournament. The approach makes for breezy coverage, letting each annual gathering stand on its own and, at the same time, fit into a larger whole. It allows us to put the Open in perspective, to see patterns and stories as they develop--the early dominance of the Morrises; the transition to a more modern game through Harry Vardon and James Braid; the arrival and ascendance of Bobby Jones; the brilliance of Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros; the frustrations of Greg Norman.

The Open's last 30 pages are a golfer's dream: facts, figures, results, milestones, records, and, most fun of all, complete layouts of all 14 courses to host the tournament. It raises The Open from a spirited history into a necessary reference--a fine golfing companion for watching the Open, or just for thinking about it the other 51 weeks of the year. --Jeff Silverman

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books (October 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809298155
• ISBN-13: 978-0809298150
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,277,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great coverage of each Open since 1900, December 6, 2000

By 

David E. Levine (Peekskill , NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The British Open : A Twentieth-Century History of Golf's Greatest Championship (Hardcover)

This engaging book gives the history of the British Open since it was first played in 1860 with complete coverage of each event since 1900. Most of the individually covered Open championships receive two pages, including good textual reporting of the event as well as photographs. The coverage is divided into historical periods such as the age of Bobby Locke and Peter Thompsion in the 50s and 60s when the two won eight Opens between them. This book is so up to date that Tiger Woods' monumental victory in 2000 receives full coverage. The great Open champions as well as the obscure Cinderella stories all receive lavish treatment. Additionally, the book has other great features such as a description and illustration of each of the Open courses, including venues that have not been used in decades. So, if you want to relive Arnold Palmer's emotional fairwell or the great duel between Nicklaus and Watson in which Watson prevailed after a gut wretching effort, this is the book for you. Additionally, this is the type of book that makes a great gift for the golf lover on your gift list.

5.0 out of 5 stars great coffee table book for the golfing man in your life!, October 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The British Open : A Twentieth-Century History of Golf's Greatest Championship (Hardcover)

This book has it all for the golfer who follows the game. It is written to provide information about British Open winners over the course of history. It is easy to read and is a great coffee table book with outstanding golf photos. P.A.B.