Oakmont Country Club

Last updated

Oakmont Country Club
OakmontCountryClub.jpg
Oakmont in November 2009
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Icona golf.svg
USA Pennsylvania relief location map.svg
Icona golf.svg
Oakmont Country Club
Club information
Coordinates 40°31′34″N79°49′35″W / 40.5261°N 79.8264°W / 40.5261; -79.8264
Location Plum and Oakmont, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Elevation1,000 feet (305 m)
Established1903;
122 years ago
 (1903)
TypePrivate
Total holes18
Greens Poa annua
Fairways Bentgrass, Poa annua [1]
Website oakmont-countryclub
Designed by Henry Fownes (1904), Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner (2023-2024 restoration)
Par 71 (70 for  U.S. Open
        since 2007)
Length7,431 yards (6,795 m)
Course rating 77.7
Slope rating 142 [2]
Course record63 – Johnny Miller
(1973 U.S. Open)
Oakmont Country Club
USA Pennsylvania location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Nearest city Plum and Oakmont, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Built1903
ArchitectFownes, Henry C.;
Stotz, Edward
Architectural style Tudor Revival
NRHP reference No. 84003090 [3]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPAugust 17, 1984
Designated NHLJune 30, 1987 [4]
Designated PHLF1985 [5]

Oakmont Country Club is a country club in Plum and Oakmont, Pennsylvania, United States. Established in 1903, the club predominantly lies in the borough of Plum, in the East Hills suburbs of Pittsburgh. Its golf course is regarded as the "oldest top-ranked golf course in the United States" and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. [4] The Pennsylvania Turnpike separates seven holes (two through eight) from the rest of the layout. Oakmont most recently hosted its record tenth U.S. Open in 2025.

Contents

Oakmont's course

A portion of the club from 1500 feet above the surface Oakmont, PA Aerial 20250420.jpg
A portion of the club from 1500 feet above the surface

The course, the only design by Henry Fownes, opened in 1903. With a crew of 150 men and under two dozen mule teams, Henry Fownes spent a year building Oakmont on old farmland, ideal for a links-style course.

The course 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 168 bunkers, it is generally regarded in the golf community as one of the most difficult in the United States. [6] [7] It features large, extremely fast, and undulating greens, while the rough is tough and thick. [8] All of the greens are original save for the eighth, 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. [9] [10] Greens are planted with Poa annua, [10] [11] and par for members is 71.

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

One of Oakmont's most famous hazards is the Church Pews bunker that comes into play on the third and fourth holes. The bunker measures approximately 100 by 40 yards (91 by 37 m) and features 13 grass-covered traversing ridges that resemble church pews. [10] [13]

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. [14]

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 fifth by the magazine. [15] It is one of only a few courses ranked in the top 10 every year of the publication's history. The top 50 toughest courses ranks Oakmont also at number five, [16] while GolfLink.com ranks it third overall. [17]

Oakmont scorecard

Tee Rating/Slope 123456789Out101112131415161718InTotal
2025 U.S. Open488346462611408200485289
250
4723,761
3,722
4614006321823795072363125023,6117,372
7,333
Par2025 U.S. Open444543434354453443443570
ChampionshipM:77.7 / 1424823464676124102034872934753,7754603986631863815092373175053,6567,431
GreenM:76.3 / 1404653454605604051954352504753,5904603806151753804852303155003,5407,130
BlueM:74.2 / 136
W:80.4 / 145
4453354155353701803902254603,3554453555901553604602102954503,3206,675
WhiteM:72.3 / 131
W:77.9 / 139
4203203904853201503702104453,1104302955701403454352002654203,1006,210
BrownM:70.0 / 128
W:74.9 / 135
4103163404653151503551703802,9003902955401302804151402503652,8055,705
GoldM:67.6 / 126
W:72.0 / 129
3752703404252751052701703802,6103902704701302703451352403652,6155,225
Fairway TeesM:63.9 / 115
W:67.9 / 121
3372212723522191042381013512,1953412074341132303321281762962,2574,452
Par444543435364453443443571
SI Men's591711173131541621812814106
SI Women's973511131517110846121416182


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 10 times, more than any other course, most recently in 2025. [18] It has also hosted three PGA Championships, six U.S. Amateurs, two U.S. Women's Opens, and three NCAA men's championships (1916, 1930, 1937).

YearMajorWinnerWinning ScoreWinner's
share ($)
2025 U.S. Open (10) Flag of the United States.svg J. J. Spaun 279 (–1)4,300,000
2021 U.S. Amateur (6) Flag of the United States.svg James Piot 2 & 1
2016 U.S. Open (9) Flag of the United States.svg Dustin Johnson 276 (–4)1,800,000
2010 U.S. Women's Open (2) Flag of the United States.svg Paula Creamer 281 (–3)585,000
2007 U.S. Open (8) Flag of Argentina.svg Ángel Cabrera 285 (+5)1,260,000
2003U.S. Amateur (5) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Flanagan 37th Hole
1994 U.S. Open (7) Flag of South Africa.svg Ernie Els (1st)279 (–5), Playoff320,000
1992 U.S. Women's Open Flag of the United States.svg Patty Sheehan (1st)280 (–4), Playoff130,000
1983 U.S. Open (6) Flag of the United States.svg Larry Nelson 280 (–4)72,000
1978 PGA Championship (3) Flag of the United States.svg John Mahaffey 276 (–8), Playoff50,000
1973 U.S. Open (5) Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Miller 279 (–5)35,000
1969U.S. Amateur (4) Flag of the United States.svg Steve Melnyk 286
1962 U.S. Open (4) Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus (1st)283 (–1), Playoff17,500
1953 U.S. Open (3) Flag of the United States.svg Ben Hogan (4th)283 (–5)5,000
1951 PGA Championship (2) Flag of the United States.svg Sam Snead (3rd)7 & 63,500
1938U.S. Amateur (3) Flag of the United States.svg Willie Turnesa (1st)8 & 7
1935 U.S. Open (2) Flag of the United States.svg Sam Parks Jr. 299 (+11)1,000
1927 U.S. Open Flag of Scotland.svg Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Armour 301 (+13), Playoff500
1925U.S. Amateur (2) Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Jones (3rd)8 & 7
1922 PGA Championship Flag of the United States.svg Gene Sarazen (1st)4 & 3500
1919U.S. Amateur Flag of the United States.svg Davidson Herron 5 & 4

U.S. Opens

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). [19] 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 ($14,481 in 2024 dollars). [20]

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 ($114,672 in 2024 dollars) with a winner's share of $1,000 ($22,934 in 2024 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 ($175,112 and $58,762 in 2024 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 ($848,227 and $181,911 in 2024 dollars).[ citation needed ]

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. [21]

Following an overnight rainstorm, Miller entered the final round in 12th place at three-over, six strokes behind the four co-leaders. [22] 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 ($1.55 million and $247,912 in 2024 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 [21] [23]

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 Rory McIlroy broke it. 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 ($1.6 million and $227,306 in 2024 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). [24] Montgomerie shot a 42 on the front nine, ending at 78 (+7) and was eliminated. However, 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 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 ($3.71 million and $678,868 in 2024 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. [25] 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. [26] 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 ($10.6 million and $1.91 million in 2024 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

The club hosted the U.S. Open for a tenth time in 2025, and J. J. Spaun shot 279 (–1) to win his first major title by two strokes.

2033

Oakmont is scheduled to host its eleventh U.S. Open in 2033.

2042

Oakmont is scheduled to host its twelfth U.S. Open in 2042.

Quotes from notable golfers

On Oakmont's greens:

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. [30] [31] [32] [33]

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 Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Oakmont Country Club". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on January 6, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  5. Historic Landmark Plaques 1968-2009 (PDF). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  6. "US Open: Oakmont's fast greens, deep rough and penal bunkers make it golf's toughest test". BBC Sport. June 9, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  7. Cameron, Alistair. "Oakmont set to be U.S. Open's toughest of tests – but where will it rank in history? - PGA TOUR". www.pgatour.com. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  8. "'As penal as possible': Why Oakmont's rough is more brutal than ever". Golf. June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  9. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Oakmont clears trees to revive Scottish-links look for U.S. Open 2007-2-11. Retrieved 2010-7-8
  10. 1 2 3 "Oakmont going back to its roots". Observer Reporter. Washington, Pennsylvania. June 10, 2007. p. C6.
  11. Dvorchak, Robert (June 13, 2007). "Oakmont-inspired Stimpmeter allows USGA to accurately measure speed, consistency of putting surfaces". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Oakmont: Rock & roll (& roll & roll & roll) nightmare". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . June 10, 2007. Archived from the original on October 10, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
  13. Raby, John (June 16, 1994). "Church Pews still a menace". Times Daily. Florence, Alabama. Associated Press. p. 1C.
  14. Dulac, Gerry (June 15, 2007). "U.S. Open Notebook: Oakmont eyes tougher bunkers in '07". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  15. "America's 100 Greatest Courses". Golf Digest . May 2007. Archived from the original on June 7, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
  16. "America's 50 Toughest Golf Courses". Golf Digest . March 2007. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
  17. "Top 100 United States Golf Courses". Golf Link. 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2007.
  18. Dulac, Gerry (June 5, 2009). "U.S. Open to return to Oakmont in 2016". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  19. "1999 U.S. OPEN FACT SHEET". U.S. Open. Archived from the original on August 23, 1999. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  20. [After taking 38 putts in the third round and 40 in the fourth "The Magnificent Seven: U.S. Open Champions at Oakmont"]. GOLF.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2025.{{cite web}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)
  21. 1 2 Driscoll, Ron (May 24, 2016). "1973: Fact and fiction in the U.S. Open's most famous final round". USGA. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  22. USOpen.com - 2006 - history - past champs - 1973
  23. Elling, Steve (June 12, 2007). "Miller's magical 63 in '73 a round to remember". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  24. USOpen.com Archived April 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine - Oakmont 1994
  25. Golf.com
  26. USOpen.com - scoring
  27. Dvorchak, Robert (June 10, 2007). "U.S. Open: At Oakmont, golf is played the way it was meant to be". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  28. Parascenzo, Marino (Summer 2007). "The Course Loved 'Round the World". Pittsburgh Quarterly . Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  29. 1 2 3 Dulac, Gerry (June 10, 2007). "Oakmont Country Club: Awakening of The Beast". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  30. Dvorchak, Robert (June 13, 2007). "Reading the greens". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. E-6.
  31. Newport, John Paul (January 25, 2013). "Ta-Da! Stimpmeter makeover". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  32. "Stimpmeter instruction booklet" (PDF). United States Golf Association. 2012. p. 1. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  33. "Edward S. Stimpson". New York Times. UPI. March 28, 1985. Retrieved April 11, 2016.

Further reading