Lecture Series: Peter May – The Open Question, Ben Hogan and Golf’s Most Enduring Controversy

In The Open Question, Peter May turns his attention to this controversial, colorful Hale-America National Open of 1942. 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.

Peter May has spent the last four decades covering sports for the Boston Globe, the New York Times, ESPN, and the Hartford Courant. He has spent the last eight years teaching in the journalism program at Brandeis University.