Hale America Nat'l Open - PGA

Sports' Forgotten Heroes

In 1941, the USGA cancelled the U.S. Open because of World War II. But the strange thing about the cancellation is the fact that the USGA still staged a tournament, the Hale America National Open. Now, while it was moved from Interlachen in Minnesota to the new Ridgemoor Country Club just outside of Chicago, there were very few differences between the Hale America and a U.S. Open. Ridgemoor was an easier course. The U.S. Open Championship trophy was not awarded. But consider this: there was qualifying, just like today; guys like Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Jimmy Demaret, Lloyd Mangrum and Bobby Jones all entered, a medal very similar to the one handed to winner of the U.S. Open was handed to the winner of the Hale America, and the list goes on. So, why did/does the USGA not consider the Hale America National Open a U.S. Open? Peter May, author of the book, "The Open Question" is here to explore that question. We discuss the many similarities. If the Hale America was considered to be a U.S. Open, amazingly, it would have been the first Major Championship won by Ben Hogan and, in total, Hogan would have won the U.S. Open five times! As it is, only Hogan, Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones and Jack Nicklaus won the U.S. Open four times. Should Hogan be credited with a fifth? Well, of course he thought so. Listen to today's podcast about this forgotten tournament, one of which the USGA has basically stricken from the record books, and decide for yourself.