One Week in June: The U.S. Open book preps golf fans for perhaps the best Open ever

The U.S. Open has a vibrant history as one of the greatest golf tournaments in the world.

Some would argue it’s the greatest … other golf fans give The Masters that distinction and the Brits, well, they have their own ideas. No matter what you believe, it’s still a golf tradition like no other, a beloved event held every Father’s Day weekend.

A new book, “One Week in June: The U.S. Open,” celebrates the tournament’s incredible storylines, with pieces written by the world’s most popular sports writers. A collection of clippings from Dan Jenkins, Rick Reilly, Dick Schaap and Jim Murray detail the drama inside the ropes. The book’s foreword comes from Don Wade, a former senior editor at Golf Digest; and the introduction from 1992 U.S. Open champion Tom Kite.

The pre-war era begins with a look at champion Horace Rawlins in 1895, dances through the heroic days of Walter Hagen and trumpets the triumphs by Bobby Jones and Byron Nelson. In the Modern Era, Jenkins relates how “To Kill a Monster,” the South course at Oakland Hills Country Club right in my backyard that hosted the 1985 U.S. Open. Arnold Palmer relives his monumental victory at Cherry Hills in 1960. Johnny Miller won’t ever let anybody forget his 63 in the final round at Oakmont Country Club, a round some believe is “The Best Round Ever.”

And just in time for the U.S. Open’s return to Pebble Beach this June, readers can catch up on the memorable victories of Tom Watson (1982), Tom Kite (1992) and Tiger Woods (2000) at the nation’s most revered public golf course. Of course, what would a golf book be without Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Phil Mickelson, too?

There are no pictures in the volume, but the 422 pages of golf poetry does the job of painting lasting images just fine. The book, a recent release published by Union Square Press, retails for $19.95. It comes out just in time for a U.S. Open building more buzz than I can remember in a long time, the 2010 championship at Pebble Beach June 17-20.