In 'A Course Called America', Tom Coyne plays his way across the United States in search of the great American golf course. Packed with fascinating tales from American golf history, comic road misadventures, illuminating insight into course design, and many a memorable round with local golfers, this book is an epic narrative travelogue brimming with heart and soul.
In one unforgettable year, Coyne travels across the country to explore the greatest golf experiences, playing every course that has hosted a US Open, along with over two hundred hidden gems and renowned venues. His journey begins at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island, the birthplace of the US Open and US Amateur. From elite links to democratic courses, he gains access to prestigious first tees like Shinnecock and Oakmont while discovering unique sites such as ranch golf in Eastern Oregon and homemade courses in the Navajo Nation. He experiences a midnight game under the summer solstice sun in Fairbanks, Alaska, and connects with hundreds of American golfers from diverse backgrounds, all sharing a common pride in their courses. Through exchanges with caddies, pros, and fellow players, Coyne learns that the best courses are those played with the best people. Ultimately, he seeks to identify the Great American Golf Course, inviting golfers to debate his criteria: should it be traditional or experimental, an architectural marvel or a natural wonder? His quest leads to countless conversations and insights, culminating in the discovery of his ideal course in an unexpected location. Filled with captivating tales from golf history, humorous road mishaps, and memorable rounds with local golfers and celebrities, this narrative travelogue is rich with heart and soul.