64
U.S. OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT
When?
Mid-June
Future Locations:
Bethpage State Park (Black Course)
Farmingdale, NY
June 15-21, 2009
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach, CA
June 14-20, 2010
Congressional Country Club
(Blue Course)
Bethesda, MD
June 13-19, 2011
The Olympic Club (Lake Course)
San Francisco, CA
June 11-16, 2012
Merion Golf Club (East Course)
Ardmore, PA
June 10-16, 2013
Pinehurst Resort (Course #2)
Pinehurst, NC
2014
Chambers Bay
University Place, WA
2015
Significance:
Golfers and fans alike look forward to Father’s Day, and not because they are expecting cards, gifts, and the opportunity to take it easy on a lazy Sunday. In fact, golfers look forward to working and working hard on that day by playing the final round of the U.S. Open.
The United States Open Championship is played on longer than standard golf courses with a high cut of open rough, hilly greens, and pinched fairways. Playing well is a challenge, to say the least, and a competitor must be accurate in his drive. Golfers may complain about the conditions, but the opportunity to win one of the four major championships in the PGA is worth the supposed aggravation.
Any professional or amateur with a current USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4 is welcome to play. Players earn their slot by being fully exempt or successfully qualifying. Qualifying can occur at over 100 courses around the country. Sectional qualifying involves thirty-six holes played in one day at multiple U.S. courses and one course each in Europe and Japan. Winning the U.S. Open on that third Sunday in June earns a golfer not only prize money and notoriety, but also an automatic invitation to the Masters, British Open, and the PGA Championship.
A happy Father’s Day, indeed.
Who attends?
Golfers and golf fans who enjoy watching the best golfers take on some of the most difficult, challenging, and frustrating U.S. golf courses.
History
With ten professionals and one amateur playing, the U.S. Open officially began on October 4, 1895, at Newport Golf and Country Club’s nine-hole course in Rhode Island. After four rounds of the 36-hole Open, a twenty-one-year-old Englishman and club assistant named Horace Rawlins was the victor. He would be the first of many British players to take the championship in the United States. It wasn’t until Americans such as Bob Jones began winning (1923, 1926, 1929, and 1930) that the Open started to get some attention from naysayers who considered it a mere sideshow.
The challenge that the courses present have defined a golfer’s career; as it wasn’t so much about winning the U.S. Open as it is about surviving the difficulties presented. Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus became household names because of the skills they displayed under those conditions. In fact, Nicklaus nabbed his first U.S. Open during his rookie season as a professional.
Notable Athletes:
Tiger Woods
Jack Nicklaus
Willie Anderson
Arnold Palmer
Hale Irwin
Sam Snead
Records:
Oldest player to qualify: Sam Snead, 61, 1973
Youngest competitor: Tyrell Garth, 14, 1941
Most consecutive victories: Willie Anderson, 3
Oldest champion: Hale Irwin, 45 years and 15 days, 1990
Youngest champion: John McDermott, 19 years and 315 days, 1911
Things to know before you go:
Ace: A hole-in-one.
Front nine: The first half of a round of golf.
Back nine: The second half of a round of golf.
Fore: A warning cry to other players that your ball is headed in their direction.
Par: A certain number of shots needed to hole your ball depending on the hole’s distance and difficulty.
Birdie: One under par.
Eagle: Two under par.
Albatross: Three under par.
Bogey: One over par. Double and triple bogeys are self-explanatory.
Tickets:
For secondary ticket access, consider:
GoTickets, Inc.
2345 Waukegan Road, Suite 140
Bannockburn, IL 60015-1552
Toll-Free: 1-800-775-1617
Fax: (919) 481-9101
E-mail: sales@gotickets.com
www.gotickets.comTravel Packages:
If you are going to travel to this event, I would recommend using a reliable company to work with you on making the necessary arrangements. The suppliers listed in this book have solid references and are by far the most trusted in the business. Below are some of the organizations to try for this Top 100 Must See Sporting Event.
Premiere Corporate Events
14 Penn Plaza, Suite 925
New York, NY 10122
Phone: (212) 695-9480
Fax: (212) 564-8098
Toll-Free: 1-877-621-5243
E-mail: requests@tseworld.com
www.tseworld.comwww.pcevents.comPremiere Sports Travel
201 Shannon Oaks Circle, Suite 205
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 481-9511
Fax: (919) 481-1337
Toll-Free: 1-800-924-9993
E-mail: sales@sportstravel.com
www.sportstravel.comSports Travel Insider’s Edge:
Best way to watch the action:
Sitting at the 18th hole grandstand will always give you a bird’s-eye view of the action as the Open comes to an end. You can not only see the dramatic and not-so-dramatic finishes and the winning putt, but also have the rare opportunity to sit.
Best place to get up close:
Some golf holes are more crowded than others. Seeking out an area without a crowd or watching the tee off is a way to see your favorite golfer up close and in action. Practice rounds which take place at the beginning of the week are also a cheaper option that provide an up-close feel in a much looser environment.
Best travel tip:
A week of watching the pros can make any golfer excited to play. Make sure to split your viewing of the tournament with actual playing. A good idea might be to substitute one day of spectating with a day of golfing. Since the event takes place in June the weather usually provides for a nice day on the course.
Notable Quotes:
“The U.S. Open is my favorite tournament to play. I love the fun. Americans are noisier than us, and I like that. I love the atmosphere, the way the tournament is run, I love how tough the course is.”—NICK DOUGHERTY, golfer
“This is a tournament that I dreamt of winning as a kid, that I spent hours practicing I mean, countless hours practicing, dreaming of winning this tournament, came out here weeks and months in advance to get ready.”—PHIL MICKELSON, golfer
Relevant Websites: