USGA jumps into the Atlantic

[JohnV]

The USGA announced today that Atlantic Golf Club will host the 2010 US Mid-Amateur:

USGA Announcement

The second course will be The Bridge.

This is the first time the Mid-Am has gone to New York.

Upcoming Mid-Ams
2007 - Bandon Dunes (Bandon Dunes & Bandon Trails)
2008 - Milwaukee (Brown Deer as second course)
2009 - Kiawah Island Club (River & Cassique)

[Tom Huckaby]

Interesting....

And sorry to threadjack, but I missed the prior annoucement stating this year's Mid-Am will be on the Dunes and Trails courses up at Bandon.  Was there any reason they gave for NOT using Pacific?  I'm guessing the resort just wants to feature the other two given the Curtis Cup on Pacific, but I'm curious if there was any more to it....

God I wish I was a good enough player to make that event.  Luckily I have no delusions of grandeur.  I do have envy, though.

 

[Mike_Sweeney]

This course has really evolved over the years, and after last Fall's trip to Atlantic, I say it has gotten better each time abd they had two holes closed during work, so it will probably be better next trip.

Besides, this club is slowly building their history in an area where it is tough to compete on history. Is there a modern (post-1960) course/club with more history than Atlantic? I am guessing The Honors Club and Kiawah (Bandon will be there soon), but not many more.
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"Atlantic will be hosting its second USGA Championship. Previously, the club was the site of the 1997 USGA Senior Amateur Championship, won by Cliff Cunningham. Atlantic has also hosted the 1995 Metropolitan Open and 1995 Leslie Cup; the 2000 French-American Golf Challenge; the 2003 Metropolitan PGA Championship; and 2006 U.S. Open local qualifying.

[Steve Lapper]

The only thing the USGA forgot to mention in the press release was that this will also be referred to as "THE REES FEST!"

Can't wait to hear some small # of "elite" Bridghamptoner's announce to the NYT that this is "status in the making".

Does anyone know if, in return for authorizing REES FEST, Rees will now donate all of his free time to "adjusting" future USGA venues around the country? Did he trade away any of his children for such an honor? Inquiring minds want to know!



PS...Please tell Rees he can now pick up the umbrellla he left behind

[JohnV]

Tom,

They aren't using Pacific Dunes because the Mid-Am Committee wants it for our Committee tournament.  

We were told that they considered using all 3 courses, using Pacific Dunes for match play, but that would have meant players needed 3 practice rounds among other things.

We weren't really given a reason why they picked those 2, just that it was what had been decided.

With the back-to-back par 3s at 10 and 11 at Pacific I suppose it is somewhat impracticable for starting on two nines during stroke play.  But, we started on #1 and #8 at Forest Highlands last year so we could have done the same thing at Pacific.

[JohnV]

Is there a modern (post-1960) course/club with more history than Atlantic? I am guessing The Honors Club and Kiawah (Bandon will be there soon), but not many more.

How about Pumpkin Ridge
1993 Oregon Amateur
1993 Nike Tour Championship
1994 Nike Tour Championship
1996 US Amateur
1997 US Women's Open
2000 US Junior and US Girls
2003 US Women's Open
2006 US Women's Amateur

as well as a number of USGA Qualifiers, a Trans Miss Mid-Amateur, PNGA events and others.

[Tom Huckaby]

Tom,

They aren't using Pacific Dunes because the Mid-Am Committee wants it for our Committee tournament.  

We were told that they considered using all 3 courses, using Pacific Dunes for match play, but that would have meant players needed 3 practice rounds among other things.

We weren't really given a reason why they picked those 2, just that it was what had been decided.

With the back-to-back par 3s at 10 and 11 at Pacific I suppose it is somewhat impracticable for starting on two nines during stroke play.  But, we started on #1 and #8 at Forest Highlands last year so we could have done the same thing at Pacific.

Of course the Committee event takes priority.  

Thanks for the info anyway.  This is somewhat curious.. but no big deal.  The Mid-Ams will have plenty to keep them interested at BD and BT.

[Phil_the_Author]

John and Mike,

You're both wrong. The honor of being the modern course (post 1960) with the most history belongs to Hazeltine.

Consider:

1966 US Women’s Open
1970 US Open
1977 US Women’s Open
1983 US Senior Open
1994 US Mid-Amateur
1999 NCAA Division I Men’s championship   
2001 US Men’s State Team Championship
2002 PGA Championship
2006 US Amateur
2009 PGA Championship
2016 Ryder Cup

[JohnV]

Philip, agreed, but they've been around a little longer than Pumpkin Ridge which only opened in 1992.  They've had 7 USGA championships in 40+ years plus a PGA.  Pumpkin Ridge has had 6 in 14 years.