Oakmont Country Club

Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont in November 2009
Club information
Coordinates 40°31′34″N 79°49′37″W / 40.526°N 79.827°W / 40.526; -79.827Coordinates: 40°31′34″N 79°49′37″W / 40.526°N 79.827°W / 40.526; -79.827
Location Plum, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Elevation 1,000 feet (305 m)
Established 1903 (1903)
Type Private
Total holes 18
Greens Poa annua
Fairways Bentgrass, Poa annua[1]
Website oakmont-countryclub
Designed by Henry Fownes
Par 71   (70 for U.S. Open
        since 2007)
Length 7,254 yards (6,633 m)
Course rating 76.9
Slope rating 142[2]
Course record 63 – Johnny Miller
(1973 U.S. Open)
Oakmont Country Club
Nearest city Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Built 1903
Architect Fownes, Henry C.;
Stotz, Edward
Architectural style Tudor Revival
NRHP reference # 84003090[3]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP August 17, 1984
Designated NHL June 30, 1987[4]
Designated PHLF 1985[5]

Oakmont Country Club is a country club in the eastern United States, located in Plum and Oakmont, suburbs of Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania. Established 115 years ago in 1903, its golf course is regarded as the "oldest top-ranked golf course in the United States."[4] It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.[4] The Pennsylvania Turnpike separates seven holes (2–8) from the rest of the course.

Oakmont's course

The course, the only design by Henry Fownes, opened 115 years ago in 1903. With a crew of 150 men and a little under two dozen mule teams, Henry Fownes spent a year building Oakmont on old farmland, which was ideal for a links-style course. It straddles the Allegheny River Valley and uniquely has virtually no water hazards, and, since 2007, almost no trees. With a USGA course rating of 77.5[2] and some two hundred bunkers it is generally regarded in the golf community as one of the most difficult in the United States. It features large, extremely fast, and undulating greens. All are original but the 8th, which was moved several yards to the left to make way for the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the late 1940s. Originally a links course, trees were added in the 1950s-1960s. Most were removed beginning after the 1994 U.S. Open, with between 5,000 and 8,000 eliminated during a 2007 renovation alone.[6][7] Greens are planted with Poa annua,[7][8] and par for members is 71.

The course is also noted for its slope. In particular, on holes 1, 3, 10, and 12, the greens pitch away from the fairway.[9]

One of Oakmont's most famous hazards is the Church Pews bunker that comes into play on the 3rd and 4th holes. It measures approximately 100 by 40 yards (91 by 37 m) and features twelve grass covered traversing ridges that resemble church pews.[7][10]

For many years, Oakmont's bunkers were groomed with a rake with wider than normal tines, creating deep furrows. The rakes were last used in U.S. Open competition in 1962 and eliminated from the club in 1964.[11]

Rankings

The course has been consistently ranked as one of the five best by Golf Digest 100 Greatest Golf Courses in America. In 2007 Oakmont was placed in 5th by the magazine.[12] It is one of only a few courses ranked every year in the top ten of the publication's history. The top 50 toughest courses ranks Oakmont also at number 5,[13] while GolfLink.com ranks it at #3 overall.[14]

Oakmont scorecard

Oakmont Country Club
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Green 77.5 / 147 4823404266093821944792884773677 46237966718335850023131348435777254
U.S. Open -- / -- 4823404266093821944792884773677 46237966718335850023131348435777254
Par U.S. Open 44454343435 4453443443570
Blue 74.0 / 134 4413253905123491683702254623242 44032856215334043421129643031946436
White 72.4 / 130 4233173785043471523572094593146 43630755013933242818927642030776223
Red 75.6 / 136 4183093394672751432741854312841 43127146612932742113525941228515629
Par Men's 44454343536 4453443443571
Handicap Men's 3711311179515 41021618812146
Par Women's 54454343537 5453453453875
Handicap Women's 7135111179153 41021612618148


A hole-by-hole course map from GOLF magazine (June 2007) can be viewed here Flyovers of the holes can be seen here

Major championships

Oakmont has hosted the U.S. Open nine times, more than any other course, most recently in 2016, and is scheduled for its tenth in 2025.[15] It has also hosted three PGA Championships, five U.S. Amateurs, three NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships, and two U.S. Women's Opens. In total championships hosted (21), it also far outranks any other course.

YearMajorWinnerWinning ScoreWinner's
share ($)
2016U.S. Open (9)United States Dustin Johnson276 (–4)1,800,000
2010U.S. Women's Open (2)United States Paula Creamer281 (–3)585,000
2007U.S. Open (8)Argentina Ángel Cabrera285 (+5)1,260,000
2003U.S. Amateur (5)Australia Nick Flanagan37th Holen/a
1994U.S. Open (7)South Africa Ernie Els279 (–5), Playoff320,000
1992U.S. Women's OpenUnited States Patty Sheehan280 (–4), Playoff130,000
1983U.S. Open (6)United States Larry Nelson280 (–4)72,000
1978PGA Championship (3)United States John Mahaffey276 (–8), Playoff50,000
1973U.S. Open (5)United States Johnny Miller279 (–5)35,000
1969U.S. Amateur (4)United States Steve Melnyk286n/a
1962U.S. Open (4)United States Jack Nicklaus283 (–1), Playoff17,500
1953U.S. Open (3)United States Ben Hogan283 (–5)5,000
1951PGA Championship (2)United States Sam Snead7 & 63,500
1938U.S. Amateur (3)United States Willie Turnesa8 & 7n/a
1935U.S. Open (2)United States Sam Parks, Jr.299 (+11)1,000
1927U.S. OpenScotland United States Tommy Armour301 (+13), Playoff500
1925U.S. Amateur (2)United States Bobby Jones8 & 7n/a
1922PGA ChampionshipUnited States Gene Sarazen4 & 3500
1919U.S. AmateurUnited States S. Davidson Herron5 & 4n/a

U.S. Opens

Photo galleries of the U.S. Opens at Oakmont from the USGA's official site can be seen here

1927

The first U.S. Open at Oakmont was won by Tommy Armour, who defeated Harry Cooper in an 18-hole Friday playoff. Their 72-hole score was 301 (+13); the par-72 course played to 6,929 yards (6,336 m) in 1927 (the first and ninth holes were both par 5). The average score for the field was 78.6 (+ 6.6) and the field recorded just 2 rounds under par. The total purse of prize money was $800 ($11,270 in 2017 dollars).

1935

Won by Sam Parks, Jr. at 11 strokes over par. The par 72 course played to 6,981 yards (6,383 m) in 1935 and the average score for the field was 80.55 (+ 8.55) and the field recorded 3 rounds under par. The total purse of prize money was $5,000 ($89,248 in 2017 dollars) with a winner's share of $1,000 ($17,850 in 2017 dollars).

1953

Ben Hogan won the second of his three straight majors in 1953 at Oakmont by six strokes, coming in at five under par.

Scheduling conflicts made it impossible to win all four majors that year, as the late rounds of the PGA Championship, then a match play event, and the mandatory 36-hole qualifier directly preceding the British Open overlapped in early July. Hogan won The Masters by five strokes and the British Open at Carnoustie by four strokes. The par-72 Oakmont course played at 6,916 yards (6,324 m) in 1953 and the average score for the field was 77.12 (+ 5.12); the field recorded 20 rounds under par. The purse was $14,900 and the champion earned $5,000 ($136,287 and $45,734 in 2017 dollars).

1962

At the 1962 U.S. Open, an up-and-coming 22-year-old named Jack Nicklaus defeated the world's top player at the time, the 33-year-old Arnold Palmer, in a Sunday playoff round in Palmer's "backyard".

Both competitors had completed the 72 holes with a 283 (–1). It was the first professional victory for Nicklaus, and the first of his 18 professional majors. Palmer won the next major, the 1962 British Open, and his fourth Masters in 1964, but never another U.S. Open. In 1962, par was reduced by a stroke to 71 (the first hole became a par-4) and the course length was slightly reduced to 6,893 yards (6,303 m); the average score for the field was 75.86 (+ 4.86) and the field recorded 19 rounds under par. The purse was $81,600 and the champion earned $17,500 ($660,161 and $141,579 in 2017 dollars).

1973

Johnny Miller shot a final round 63 (–8) to set a record low score at a U.S. Open, and finished at 279 (–5) to win by one stroke in 1973.[16]

Following an overnight rainstorm, Miller entered the final round in 12th place at three-over, six strokes behind the four co-leaders.[17] Miller had carded a disappointing five-over 76 on Saturday, and his tee time on Sunday was about an hour ahead of the final pairing, which included Arnold Palmer.

Miller birdied the first four holes and hit all 18 greens in regulation, and used only 29 putts. Miller and four others were the only ones to break par during the final round in 1973. The par 71 course played at 6,921 yards (6,329 m) and the average score for the field was 75.45 (+ 4.45) and the field recorded 40 rounds under par. The purse was $219,400 and the champion earned $35,000 ($1.21 million and $192,946 in 2017 dollars).

Miller's low score (9 birdies with 1 bogey) led the USGA to set up the course at the following year's championship, now known as The Massacre at Winged Foot, in an extremely challenging manner; Hale Irwin's winning score in 1974 was seven strokes over par.

Johnny Miller's 63

Club selection and results - June 17, 1973[16][18]

HoleYardsParClub selectionsScoreResult To par
14694Driver, 3-iron to 5 feet3birdie–1
23434Driver, 9-iron to 1 foot3birdie–2
34254Driver, 5-iron to 25 feet3birdie–3
45495Driver, 3-wood, bunker shot to 6 inches4birdie–4
53794Driver, 6-iron to 25 feet, 2 putts4par–4
619533-iron to 25 feet, 2 putts3par–4
73954Driver, 9-iron to 6 feet, 2 putts4par–4
824434-wood to 30 feet, 3 putts4bogey–3
94805Driver, 2-iron to 40 feet, 2 putts4birdie–4
Out3,4793632–4
104624Driver, 5-iron to 25 feet, 2 putts4par–4
113714Driver, wedge to 14 feet3birdie–5
126035Driver, 7-iron, 4-iron to 15 feet4birdie–6
1318534-iron to 5 feet2birdie–7
143604Driver, wedge to 12 feet, 2 putts4par–7
154534Driver, 4-iron to 10 feet3birdie–8
1623032-iron to 45 feet, 2 putts3par–8
1732241-iron, wedge to 10 feet, 2 putts4par–8
184564Driver, 5-iron to 20 feet, 2 putts4par–8
In3,4423531–4
Total6,9217163–8

1983

In 1983, Larry Nelson was at 148 (+6) after the first two rounds. He then established the 36-hole record at the U.S. Open when he finished 65-67 to finish at 280 (–4), one stroke ahead of runner-up and defending champion Tom Watson. Nelson's two-round total of 132 (–10) broke the 51-year-old record by four shots, established by Gene Sarazen in 1932. Nelson's record, although not receiving level acclaim to Miller's 63 finish, stood until 2011 when it was broken by Rory McIlroy. The par 71 course played at 6,972 yards (6,375 m) in 1983 and the average score for the field was 76.13 (+ 5.13) and the field recorded 27 rounds under par. The purse was $506,184 and the champion earned $72,000 ($1.24 million and $176,909 in 2017 dollars).

1994

In 1994, a 24-year-old Ernie Els outlasted Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie in another Monday playoff round to capture the U.S. Open, his first major and first victory in the U.S. It was the first three-way playoff at the U.S. Open since 1963.

The three in the playoff completed the four rounds at 279 (–5), but all were well over par early in the playoff round, played in oppressive heat and humidity, as temperatures approached 100 °F (38 °C).[19] Montgomerie shot a 42 on the front nine, ending at 78 (+7) and was eliminated, but Els and Roberts were tied at 3-over 74, with Roberts missing a short putt on the 18th hole to win outright, so they kept playing as a sudden-death playoff. On the second extra hole, Roberts bogeyed and Els made a par to win the championship. The par 71 course played at 6,946 yards (6,351 m) in 1994 and the average score for the field was 74.25 (+ 3.25); the field recorded 62 rounds under par. The purse was $1.75 million and the champion earned $320,000 ($2.89 million and $528,352 in 2017 dollars).

2007

Ángel Cabrera of Argentina shot 285 (+5) in 2007, one stroke ahead of runners-up Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk.

A course renovation had deepened the bunkers and removed over 4,000 trees that had been planted mostly in the 1960s, returning the course to its original links style appearance.[20] The course was lengthened to 7,230 yards (6,611 m) and par was reduced by a stroke to 70, as the uphill 9th hole became a par-4. The par-3 8th hole played at 300 yards (274 m) in Round 4, the par-5 12th hole at over 660 yards (604 m), and the par-4 15th at 500 yards (457 m). The average score for the field in 2007 was 75.72 (+ 5.72), with every hole averaging an over-par score.[21] The field recorded just 8 rounds under par, only two per round. Cabrera had two of these sub-par rounds, shooting a 69 (-1) on Thursday and Sunday.

The weather was much more agreeable than in 1994: the high temperatures were 75–80 °F (24–27 °C) for the first three rounds and 90 °F (32 °C) for the final round, and there were no weather delays in any of the rounds. The total purse was $7.0 million and the champion earned $1.26 million ($8.26 million and $1.49 million in 2017 dollars).

2016

The club hosted the U.S. Open for a record ninth time in 2016, and Dustin Johnson shot 276 (–4) to win his first major title by three strokes.

2025

Oakmont is scheduled to host its tenth U.S. Open in 2025, as announced by the USGA in June 2016.

Quotes from notable golfers

  • USGA Sr. Director of Rules and Competitions Mike Davis: "There's a reason [the U.S. Open is] coming back to Oakmont. This really is the gold standard for championship golf. It doesn't get any better than Oakmont."[22]
  • Lee Trevino: "There's only one course in the country where you could step out right now — right now — and play the U.S. Open, and that's Oakmont."[23]
  • Phil Mickelson: "It's really a neat, special place."[24]
  • Johnny Miller: "It's probably the best course in the world . . . This is the greatest course I've ever played."[24]

On Oakmont's greens:

  • Tiger Woods:"That golf course is going to be one of the toughest tests that we've ever played in a U.S. Open, especially if it's dry, it will be unreal because those greens are so severe."[9]
  • Arnold Palmer: "You can hit 72 greens [in regulation] in the Open at Oakmont and not come close to winning."[24]
  • Rocco Mediate said of the greens that they are "almost impossible"
  • Sam Snead once quipped that he tried to mark his ball on one of Oakmont's greens but the coin slid off.[9]
  • Lee Trevino claimed every time he two-putted at Oakmont he knew he was passing somebody on the leader board.[9]
  • Johnny Miller said that Oakmont's are the greatest set of greens for testing a player's ability to putt.[9]
  • USGA Sr. Director Mike Davis: "[Oakmont's greens are the] scariest in golf."[9]

Stimpmeter

The stimpmeter, a device for measuring the speed of greens, was developed by Edward Stimpson (1904–1985), an accomplished amateur player from Massachusetts, shortly after attending the 1935 U.S. Open at Oakmont.[25][26][27][28]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "U.S. Open" (PDF). GCSAA. Tournament fact sheets. June 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Course Rating and Slope Database™: Oakmont Country Club". USGA. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  3. ↑ National Park Service (2008-04-15). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  4. 1 2 3 "Oakmont Country Club". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  5. ↑ Historic Landmark Plaques 1968-2009 (PDF). Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. 2010. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
  6. ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Oakmont clears trees to revive Scottish-links look for U.S. Open 2007-2-11. Retrieved 2010-7-8
  7. 1 2 3 "Oakmont going back to its roots". Observer Reporter. Washington, Pennsylvania. June 10, 2007. p. C6.
  8. ↑ Dvorchak, Robert (2007-06-13). "Oakmont-inspired Stimpmeter allows USGA to accurately measure speed, consistency of putting surfaces". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Oakmont: Rock & roll (& roll & roll & roll) nightmare". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 2007-06-10. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  10. ↑ Raby, John (June 16, 1994). "Church Pews still a menace". Times Daily. Florence, Alabama. Associated Press. p. 1C.
  11. ↑ Dulac, Gerry (2007-06-15). "U.S. Open Notebook: Oakmont eyes tougher bunkers in '07". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
  12. ↑ "America's 100 Greatest Courses". Golf Digest. May 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  13. ↑ "America's 50 Toughest Golf Courses". Golf Digest. March 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  14. ↑ "Top 100 United States Golf Courses". Golf Link. 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  15. ↑ Dulac, Gerry (June 5, 2009). "U.S. Open to return to Oakmont in 2016". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  16. 1 2 Driscoll, Ron (May 24, 2016). "1973: Fact and fiction in the U.S. Open's most famous final round". USGA. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  17. ↑ USOpen.com - 2006 - history - past champs - 1973
  18. ↑ Elling, Steve (June 12, 2007). "Miller's magical 63 in '73 a round to remember". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  19. ↑ USOpen.com - Oakmont 1994
  20. ↑ Golf.com
  21. ↑ USOpen.com - scoring
  22. ↑ Dvorchak, Robert (2007-06-10). "U.S. Open: At Oakmont, golf is played the way it was meant to be". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
  23. ↑ Parascenzo, Marino (Summer 2007). "The Course Loved 'Round the World". Pittsburgh Quarterly. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
  24. 1 2 3 Dulac, Gerry (2007-06-10). "Oakmont Country Club: Awakening of The Beast". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
  25. ↑ Dvorchak, Robert (June 13, 2007). "Reading the greens". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. E-6.
  26. ↑ Newport, John Paul (January 25, 2013). "Ta-Da! Stimpmeter makeover". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Stimpmeter instruction booklet" (PDF). United States Golf Association. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Edward S. Stimpson". New York Times. UPI. March 28, 1985. Retrieved April 11, 2016.

Further reading

  • Ward-Thomas, P., Wind, H.W., Price, C., Thomson, P. (2002). World Atlas of Golf. London: Hamlyn. ISBN 0-600-60720-8.
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