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

Canterbury

Canterbury Golf Club
1940 & '45 U.S. Opens
Course: 18 Hole Private
Architect: Herbert Strong
Founded: 1921
Location: Cleveland, OH
Website: www.canterburygc.org
Date Last Played: 9/16/09
Score: 73

Canterbury Golf Club was founded in 1921 and is by far the most famous Major Championship Venue you have never heard of. So famous that it holds a record that is shared with only one other golf course/club in the world. Canterbury Golf Club has hosted the U.S. Open, the Senior U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship, and the U.S. Amateur Championship. Do you know what all of those are? Those are the 5 rotating men's major championships that are held in the States. Only one other course (Oak Hill) can lay claim to this distinguished honor. Although I do believe Canterbury has "one up" on Oak Hill, but I will discuss that later on. Canterbury also is the place where Jack Nicklaus won his record breaking 14th major championship ('73 PGA) overtaking the previous record held by Mr. Bobby Jones.

Canterbury came about when a group of prominent Clevelanders gathered to discuss the opening of a golf club in the area. They weren't sure on where it would be located or who would design it, but they were sure what the course would be build for... Championship Golf. Renowned golf course architect Herbert Strong was given the task of creating a course that measured up to the length, layout, fairness, and condition that is expected of a championship course. In modern golf term slang, he "pure'd it". This is proven by the golf associations continuing to bring major championship back to its hollowed grounds (as recent as the 2009 Senior PGA Championship).

Although Canterbury is considered a "golf club", it has much more to offer than just world class golf. Members can enjoy a relaxed yet refined atmosphere in the newly remodeled club house, work up a sweat on the tennis and paddle tennis courts, or lounge pool side while enjoying the beautiful Ohio summer weather (well...at least they have paddle tennis!).

But we're not here to talk about all that country club fluff. Let's get to the course. I have had the pleasure of playing the "burr" (very appropriate nickname due to it's geographic location) several times, and as it is with most great courses, it keeps getting better every time. One of my most recent rounds was played one week before the 2009 Senior PGA. Needless to say the course was absolutely delicious.

For my "Notable Holes" portion, I would like to let it be know that we will be playing the normal rotation that is used day-to-day at Canterbury and was used during both U.S. Opens (during the 2009 Senior PGA they moved around the rotation to better accommodate crowds).

So...Notable Holes: There are a bunch. Start with hole #2 which has one of the most severely sloped greens on the course. If you find yourself above the hole, you won't be for long.

Hole #3 is a great little par three (177 yards) that plays back towards the club house. If you look closely at this picture you can see the grandstands and TV tower that were set up for the Senior PGA. What you can't see is the small pond that guards the front of the hole and the beautiful "tudor style" club house located behind the hole.

Hole #4 is one of my personal favorites. During the Senior PGA it played 457 yards, but from the tips it can max out close to 500 yards. Your tee shot must avoid the fairway bunkers on the left to leave you with a longish shot into this non-bunkered receptive green. I believe the green structure on #4 is one of the best in the world when it comes to long par fours (of course I've only played a hundred or so courses so I may not be the expert on this) as it is receptive to a multitude of different approach shots.

Moving right along, I would be doing Canterbury a disgrace if I did not mention the challenging Par four 5th hole. Avoiding fairway bunkers that guard the left side of the fairway and a burn that runs along the right side is your first goal. If your approach shot is lucky enough to find the green, you are then faced with one of the most challenging greens at Canterbury. This green may be the stat leader in "de-greened" putts.

Not that there is anything wrong with holes #6 and #7, I'm going to fast forward to the 8th. A shorter par 4 that demands extreme accuracy off the tee and precise club selection on ones approach. The green's drastic false front will take any shot that comes up short back down some 30 yards. Since Canterbury's greens are always in great shape and kept very "speedy", only about 60% off this green is playable. The picture to the left was taken by myself from a TV Tower located between 8 and 9 (the steps on those towers are tricky with golf shoes on!).

My next notable hole is the 13th. Not only is it a great hole, it holds a significant place in U.S. Open history. Check out my "Ultimate U.S. Open Course" to find out what happened there.

The 15th at Canterbury makes my Notable Holes list and also is on my Nemesis Hole list. Your tee shot MUST find the fairway in order to have hopes of hitting this severely elevated green. I can't tell you how many times I've missed this green long...and short. (Notice the stairs leading up the hill...there's a lot of them.)

That brings us to "The Finish". In the summer of 2009, I took an intern to play Canterbury. Unfortunately our round was ended prematurely due to severe weather. When asked about his round, he couldn't have said it better. "I didn't get to play Canterbury. We got rained out on 15." I could give you a play by play of holes 16, 17, and 18 but I feel that I couldn't do them justice. Visit canterburygc.org for a tour of "The Finish".

Now in the beginning of this blog I mentioned that there was something at Canterbury that gave it a leg up on Oak Hill. That "something" is a Green Jacket that was won by Canterbury's former Head Professional Henry Picard at the 1938 Master's Tournament. I haven't convinced the professional staff to let me try it on, but it is still amazing just standing a foot away from one. No other club in the world can boast about the possession of a Green Jacket as the only other jacket that is not inside Augusta is Gary Player's (which is located in his home in South Africa).

In closing, Canterbury is unfortunately part of the group of past U.S. Open venues that may never host the great event again. Not because of the merit of the course, but because the lack of infrastructure to host such a "major" event. It will, hopefully, continue to host other events and bring back championship golf to the Cleveland area.

The Ultimate U.S. Open Course

Upon request from possibly the only person who reads this blog (thanks Bill), we are going to try to create the ultimate U.S. Open Course. The course will obviously consist of holes from past U.S. Open venues, but there is one small catch. In order to make the cut each hole must be the best in its position. Example: Oakmont's first hole will be considered the best opening hole. Selection will be determined on the hole's difficulty in relation to par, aesthetics, and history. Please let me know your nominations. Here we go.

HOLE #1
Oakmont Country Club
Par 4 / 482 Yards

Although it may not be the most "picturesque", it is considered to be one of the toughest par 4's in the world. What better way to start an Open? Imagine trying to stop a golf ball at the end of a marble bowling ally that is located on the downslope of a double black diamond ski run.

Seriously.

Honorable Mentions:

Cherry Hills Country Club (Palmer Drives Green and Birdies 6 of first 7 holes)

HOLE #2

Oakland Hills Country Club

Par 5 / 529 yards

When someone mentions the 1985 U.S. Open they more than likely know two things. Andy North won and T.C. Chen lost. Ahh yes. T.C. Chen. The ol' double hit on the 5th. But that was not Mr. Chen's only "double" of the Open. On a positive not he made another double on the 2nd hole during the first round. A double EAGLE that is. Chen holed a three wood from 265 yards to record a rare albatross.

HOLE #3
Winged Foot Golf Club
Par 3 / 216 Yards

With a scoring average of 3.37 in 2006, the 3rd at Winged Foot became the 7 hardest par 3 in U.S. Open history. The competitors in '06 should have taken a tip from Billy Casper who was victorious in the 1959 U.S. Open at Winged Foot. Mr. Casper choose to lay up on the 3rd in every round to avoid the bunkers guarding the front of the green. He got up and down each time for par.

HOLE #4
Oakmont Country Club
Par 5 / 609 Yards

I've only had the great opportunity to play Oakmont one time (thanks for the invite Bill...not). My day there didn't start as expected due to the fact that I began my round on the back nine. Intoxicated by the entire experience, I walked up the 15th and said to my caddie "I thought they would be bigger?" He said "They are. These aren't the real ones." The real "Church Pew" bunker is located in between the 3rd and 4th holes at Oakmont and it is spectacular. Most people credit the 3rd hole as the location of second most famous bunker (#1 I'm guessing is the "Road Hole" bunker), but I disagree. From the third tee the bunker gets small the further down you drive the ball. From the fourth tee it gets bigger. Thus the 4th gets the credit, and the spot on my "Ultimate U.S. Open Course".

HOLE #5
Pinehurst Resort & Club (#2)
Par 4 / 476 Yards

The 5th at Pinehurst played as the most difficult hole during the 1999 U.S. Open (avg. score 4.55...5th hardest par 4 in U.S. Open History). After a great drive, one will find themselves with a 200+ yard approach to a green of which only about half of its surface is puttable.

"The best way to play #5 at Pinehurst is to birdie #4" -Anonymous

Honorable Mentions:
Canterbury Golf Club

HOLE #6
Oak Hill Country Club
Par 3 / 167 yards

Ok. Maybe not the most difficult hole...actually quite the opposite. The 6th at Oak Hill is on the list due to a historical note. During the '89 U.S. Open, in a span of 90 minutes, the sixth hole reliquished 4 Hole-in-ones. Doug Weaver, Mark Wiebe, Jerry Pate, and Nick Price all dropped it in with a 7 iron during the first round (I would have hit 8).

Honorable Mentions:

HOLE #7
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Par 3 / 107 Yards

"Colin Montgomerie was sitting in the Pebble Beach clubhouse in 1992 and feeling confident in his chances of earning the trophy for his first U.S. Open victory when Tom Kite stunned the Scot. With whipping winds in excess of 40 miles-per-hour plaguing golfers still on the course, Montgomerie's clubhouse lead looked like it would hold up. Instead, with an improbable birdie on the seventh hole of the final round, Kite positioned himself for the win. His ball was in the tall grass off the green, but he managed to dig it out with a shot that hit the flagstick and dropped into the cup. Kite went on to win by two strokes." (from NBCsports.com)

HOLE #8
Oakmont Country Club
Par 3 / 288 Yards

A par 3 that is unreachable for some participants has got "USGA" stamped all over it. During the 2007 U.S. Open, the 8th at Oakmont became the longest par 3 in the history of....golf (I may have made that up but I'm almost certain it's true). I was having a hard time not putting the 8th at Pebble in this spot until I read one fact. The 8th hole at Oakmont is the only bogey Johnny Miller carded during his final round 63 of the '73 Open (and it only played 244 yards then).

"Driver please." - Joe Leenheer, PGA

Honorable Mentions:
Pebble Beach (8th hardest par 4, 4.53 Scoring avg. in 2000)
Pinehurst #2 (John Daly's infamous blowup)

HOLE #9
Interlachen Country Club
Par 5 / 530 Yards

Bobby Jones won the 1930 U.S. Open at Interlachen Country Club giving him the third leg of the "Impregnable Quadrilateral". This win was set up by the infamous "Lily Pad Shot" during Jones' second round. Distracted by spectators, Jones semi-topped his second shot which skipped across a water hazard and came to rest safely on the bank on other side. His good fortune resulted in a birdie and an eventual U.S. Open title.

Honorable Mentions
Pebble Beach Golf Links (4th hardest par 4)

HOLE #10
Bethpage State Park (Black Course)
Par 4 / 509 Yards

During the 2002 U.S. Open the tenth hole at Bethpage required participants to carry their drives some 250-260 yards just to get to the fairway. Now some people might think "What's the big deal?" Well considering it's a 500+ yard Par 4 with rough that will chew up and spit out anything longer then a wedge. Combine that with some "naughty" bunkering throughout the entire hole....I'd say that's pretty tough. Players even joked about it wasn't the carry that was the problem, but the width of the fairway (they were referring to the caddy strip!) The USGA did change the required carry for the 2009 U.S. Open to avoid any controversy. A move which this purist would classify as "wussy". They should have made it longer.

Honorable Mention
Pinehurst #2

HOLE #11
Worcester Country Club
Par 4 / 400 yards

Worcester Country Club hosted the 1925 U.S. Open which was won by Willie Macfarlane. Who cares right? Well....how about this. He won the title in a playoff. Actually, he won it in a double playoff against the great Bobby Jones. How does this make the 11th hole the greatest 11th hole in U.S. Open history? Well this great playoff would have never taken place if it weren't for the unbelievable display of sportsmanship by Mr. Jones on the 11th hole. This was the hole were Jones famously called a penalty on himself when his ball moved slightly in the rough after he touched the grass with his club. That penalty stroke cost him the title, but when praised for his sportsmanship, Jones responded that he might as well have been congratulated for not robbing a bank.

HOLE #12
Oakmont Country Club
Par 5 / 598 yards

During the 1994 U.S. Open, the 12th Hole at Oakmont Country Club played as the 3rd hardest par 5 in Open history. It may have earned a higher position if played from the member tees at 667 yards. Unhappy with the 3rd place finish, the USGA and Oakmont went to work and during the Open in 2007 they earned the top spot with a scoring average of 5.41.

HOLE #13

Canterbury Golf Club
Par 5 / 490 Yards

In contention for his sixth career major title at Cantebury Golf Club in the 1946 U.S. Open, Byron Nelson was felled by a mistake not of his own making. In the third round, his caddie had accidentally kicked his golf ball while walking down the 13th fairway, resulting in a one-stroke penalty for Nelson. That penalty was the difference between winning outright and playing in a playoff, which is where Nelson lost to Lloyd Mangrum.

Honorable Mentions

HOLE #14
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Par 5 / 573 yards

As one of the less spectacular "inland" holes at Pebble (which is dumb because you can still see the ocean from anywhere on the hole), this Par 5 had the gold and silver on the list of most difficult par 5's in U.S. Open history until Oakmont's 12th Hole during the 2007 Open overcame it (scoring avg. of 5.38 in 2000 and 5.29 in 1992). What makes this hole so tough? Go to Pebble and find out (or read my blog about Pebble!)

Honorable Mentions:

HOLE #15
Bethpage State Park (Black Course)
Par 4 / 459 Yards

While everyone was worrying about the 250 yard carry to get to the fairway on the 10th hole at Bethpage during the 2002 U.S. Open, they should have been thinking about how they were going to make par on 15. That year it played as the second hardest par 4 in U.S. Open History with a scoring avg. of 4.60 and followed that with an avg. of 4.47 in 2009 again playing as the most difficult hole on the course.

Honorable Mentions:

HOLE #16
Olympic Club (Lake)
Par 5 / 607 Yards

The 16th at Olympic has played as the 4th and 5th Hardest Par 5 in U.S. Open history (scoring average of 5.25) and for me has been the hardest hole to find a picture of......thanks Google Maps! Considered one of the hardest par 5's in the world, this hole cost Arnold Palmer the 1966 U.S. Open. Attempting to draw his tee shot, he snap-hooked his ball into a tree a mere 150 yards away. Then stubbornly trying to hit a 3 iron out of the U.S. Open rough, he managed to advance the ball another 100 yards down the crescent shaped hole. After holing his bogey, his lead slipped to one. He would eventually loose to Billy Casper in a playoff.

HOLE #17
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Par 3 / 208 Yards

"Foul!" You say? How can you not have the 17th at Pebble as the greatest 17th hole in U.S. Open History? Hello..Tom Watson. Jack's 1 Iron. Not to mention in 1992 it played as the second hardest par 3 in U.S. Open History (3.44 scoring avg.) only behind #17 at Pebble Beach in the 2000 U.S. Open (scoring avg. 3.46) Yeah, that's what I thought. Quit complaining and make your bogey.

Honorable Mentions:
17th at Olympic Club (1st and 3rd hardest par 4 in U.S. Open History)

HOLE #18
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Par 5 / 543 yards

The greatest finishing hole in golf. Period.

"I'm surprised you don't have to walk through pearly gates between 17 green and 18 tee."

-Joe Leenheer, PGA

Honorable Mentions:

Pinehurst #2 (5th hardest par 4, Payne Stewart's Putt)

Oakmont Country Club (2nd highest scoring avg. for par 4's in 2007 Open, 4.602)

Winged Foot (Phil Mickelson's "oops")

Interlachen C. C. (Bobby Jones sinks 40 foot birdie to win 1930 Open by two and achieves the "Impregnable Quadrilateral")

ULTIMATE U.S. OPEN COURSE STATS

Par: 75

Front Nine: 35

Back Nine: 40

Yards: 7791 yards

Front Nine: 3404 yards

Back Nine: 4387 yards

Distance Between Holes:

19830 Miles, 20 yards

307 Hours, 38 Minutes, 25 Seconds

Front Nine: 9024 Miles / 140 Hours & 38 Minutes

Back Nine: 10,806 Miles & 20 Yards / 167 Hours & 25 Seconds