Oakmont

Oakmont Country Club
1927, '35, '53, '62, '73, '83,

'94, & '07 U.S. Opens
Course: 18 Hole Private
Architect: Henry Fownes
Founded: 1903
Location: Oakmont, PA
Website: www.oakmont-countryclub.org
Date Last Played: Summer of 2008
Score: 81

Gene Sarazen, Tommy Armour, Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Johnny Miller. Is this a short list of some the greatest golfers of all time? No. It's just a short list of some of the golfers who have won a Major at Oakmont. All in all the "Okey-doke" has hosted 16 mens Major Championships. Not to mention they will also host their second Women's U.S. Open this year (2010).

But who cares about history right? Who cares about the "greatest" round of golf ever played (Yohnny Miller's 63...notice "greatest" is in quotes as this is a matter of opinion. I still feel my 67 in a NOPGA Stroke Play was pretty good!). Who cares about being ranked consistenly as one of the top 20 courses in the world and top 5 in the States? Who cares that Oakmont has hosted the U.S. Open more than any other course? Um....ME!

Now, I love the U.S. Open. I love the fact that anyone has a chance of winning it. I love the idea of setting up a course to be so challenging that it forces the cream to the top. But there is only one fault that lies within this great championship. Too many venues. WHAT? This coming from a guy who wants to play all of them? Yeah..I typed it. TOO MANY! If it were up to me there would be 9 regular rotating U.S. Open courses with a 10th spot to be filled at the discretion of the USGA. I have not narrowed down the list of 9 as of yet, but I do know which track would be at the very top of my list....

Henry Fownes (with the help of satan himself) designed Oakmont and this beast was introduced to the world in 1903. Since then, golfers from across the globe have been praising and cursing its hollowed grounds within the same breath.

Not every golfer may have the opportunity to play a round of golf on the links of Oakmont, but millions of non-members take a "drive" at Oakmont every year. Although I'm sure most of them have no idea that while traveling on the PA turnpike they pass under two walking bridges that connect holes 2 through 8 with the rest of the course. This is my sly way of "bridging" into one of the best stories I've heard regarding Oakmont. Although I am uncertain of the exact details, the story goes something like this.

Bob Ford, the Head Professional at Oakmont, was presented with a serious problem. The USGA had come to him with concerns regarding spectator traffic over the single walking bridge that allowed players and galleries to avoid playing frogger with crazy Pennsylvania drivers. Mr. Ford was in a tight spot. He needed to convince the membership to ante up for an additional bridge over the turnpike or Oakmont's string of championships might come to an end. While sitting in his office (more than likely trying to figure out how many car washes the junior golf program was going to have to host in order to fund the project) an unnamed member walked, or as I like to image, sauntered into his office. Mr. Member sat down at Bob's desk (which I image is a really nice desk) and asked how much the bridge project was going to cost the club. After Bob shared with him the facts and figures, Mr. Member proceeded to pull out his checkbook and wrote a check for the full amount. After placing the check on the desk he simply said, "Here's your bridge.  Don't tell my wife."

I was fortunate enough to be invited to play Oakmont in the summer of 2008 by one of my interns. It was even more fortunate that I was able to bring my father along with me for this momentous occasion. Having my father along was very appropriate. For a golfer, playing what I hope is the hardest golf course in the world (because I have no desire to play one more difficult) can be a symbolic "coming of age" for oneself. Much like when a Native American boy must prove their manhood by braving some inordinate task such as slaying a buffalo with his bare hands, for a golfer, playing Oakmont makes you a man (or woman...for you lady purists).

My day started in Oakmont's locker room. It is a bit intimidating changing your shoes and walking past the scoreboards that record the final results for the U.S. Open's hosted there. You look at the "63" by Miller's name and think to yourself "Well....if he can do it maybe...naaaa!"

Our round started on the 10th (which threw me for a loop as I had been studying the course and planning on teeing off on 1. This added at least 5 shots to my score.) I hit a great drive, smacked my second shot on the green and two putted for par. I thought to myself "Well that wasn't too tough". Seven holes later I made another par.

Notable Holes: The first hole at Oakmont has been called "the hardest opening hole in championship golf". I agree.

The 3rd and 4th holes surround the world famous Church Pew bunker but the bunker is not the dominate characteristic of either hole. The second shot on hole 3 demands precise distance control as any shot short will be sucked away from the green by a sharp false front. A long shot will suffer a similar demise, as the rear of the green complex is shaved "a la Pinehurst". The 4th hole is 609 yards long and plays alllllll of it. It should be a par 6 (which would make the 4 that I scored look even better!).

Me and "The Church Pews"

Hole #8 is a 288 yard par 3 which features the "Sahara Bunker". The fact that there is a bunker that is named after one of the largest deserts in the world on a "two-shot" par 3 pretty much sums up Oakmont. The 9th is a very good hole that is unique in the fact that the putting green for the hole doubles as the practice green. This design feature helps answers the question that wanders into your head while warming up... "The greens can't really be THIS fast?" They are.

Hole #17. I put this hole down as a "notable" hole for the shear fact that my tee shot on #17 came to rest closer to the green then the tee shot I hit on the 8th hole. Think about it. Not to mention it is also the home of the "Big Mouth" bunker (which is just a really good name for a bunker).

All in all, Oakmont is not just a difficult golf course, but also is a historic landmark in the world of golf. It is very deserving of whatever rank it receives in whichever ranking system you follow. The most refreshing fact about Oakmont is that the membership is not afraid to make decisions that protect the integrity of the course. In 1960, members decided to put the "oak" back in Oakmont by planting hundreds of trees. By the early 90's Oakmont had lost it's original identity as a inland links course. The membership made what might be considered an "environmentally unfriendly" decision and returned the course to it's original glory by removing the trees. They couldn't have been more right.

I feel very honored to have played this amazing U.S. Open course and look forward to being invited back to offer myself up to the golfing "gods" on the sacrificial alter that is known as Oakmont Country Club.

Fairways & Greens...and burns!

Joe