Oakmont. That one word in the world of golf is so revered that the United States Golf Association is hosting our national championship, the U.S. Open, for a record ninth time at the fabled club this week. The town of Oakmont is a little over one square miles in size. In Beaver County terms, think Monaca. Yet it is home to one of the most prestigious, and difficult, clubs not only in the country, but the world.
The last time the U.S. Open was held at Oakmont was in 2007 when Angel Cabrera edged out Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods to hoist the coveted trophy. This year, it’s anyone’s championship. Oakmont’s treacherous greens are known throughout the golf world. The rough is high and thick. It is truly that difficult of a course. In ’07, Cabrera posted a winning score of +5, or five over par.
If you’re headed to our national championship this weekend, here are a few things you should know or be aware of.
- The best place to park is at Hartwood Acres off route 8. When I went on Wednesday, this is where I parked. It’s nine miles closer than the other parking lot at the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills. And there’s less traffic surrounding the route 8, Butler Valley exit. Once you park, you board a school bus that shuttles you right to the club, about a 20-25 minute ride. It’s pretty painless. Kudos to the USGA for nailing down the logistics for spectators.
2. Oakmont is very walkable. And by walkable, I mean that it is way less hilly than another iconic golf course, Augusta National Golf Club. If you’ve never been to Oakmont, it’s pretty flat, save for a few gentle, rolling hills. The high points on the course are #3 green and #17 green. From there, you can pretty much see every hole. Since 1994, the club has removed close to 15,000 trees to restore the original architecture and layout that was designed by club founder, Henry Fownes.
3. You will enter the course on #2 green. Do yourself a favor and walk the front nine. It’s a thing of beauty. Start on #3 tee, and walk the rest of the front until you get to #9. #9 will take you up to the clubhouse where you will see hordes of people flocking to get around the course. The Pennsylvania turnpike separates the first hole from the rest of the front nine. So beginning on #2, it’s a on a different side of the road. Of course there’s a pedestrian bridge that takes you right over I-76 to the rest of the course.
4. Wait until you’re ready to leave before you purchase merchandise. The merchandise tent is actually crazy big at 37,000 square feet. It’s better to wait until you are on your way out to buy something.
5. If you’ve never been to a golf event in person, it’s actually a little disappointing. I am not trying to take away from the atmosphere and the magnitude of the U.S. Open. It is truly a defining sports experience. But golf is much more enjoyable when you are watching on TV. However, if you are there this weekend, you have two options: park yourself on a hole and watch various groups come through, or attempt to follow different groups throughout the round. With 30,000 people expected over the weekend, my recommendation is this. Get there early, and scramble over to #18. Find a seat in the top row of the bleachers and make that your spot all day. You’ll be stationary, but you’ll also get to see everyone come through. It’s the best way to watch golf in person.
I’ve been lucky enough to play Oakmont twice this year. It is the ultimate test of golf. I was truly privileged to be able to play one of the top five courses in the world. And to think it is right here in our backyard, 14 miles north of Pittsburgh. Oakmont is indescribable. And for a record ninth time, it will give us our national champion.
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