USGA: Ok so we need a new 36 hole course in NYC....

[Kalen Braley]

Garland,

From having been born and raised in Nor Cal and spending 6 years in WA state, the weather is way better in Nor Cal in June.

That being said, I still like the pick of Chambers Bay...even if it is often rainy/overcast that time of year.

[JESII]

How many courses are needed for a US Open rota?

How many are pretty well locked in?


Other than the fact that Winged Foot is a fabulous course I wouldn't think the USGA is hurting for options? I guess they feel the same if they are asking clubs to agree to less money in 2015 than the received in 2006...

[Mike Policano]

Mike,

And ideas on why the WF vote was so lobsided?

Loss of the East and West courses to play for too long?  USGA mandated changes to the course?

The "reward" of hosting a US Open not worth the pain?

Happy New Year

[Garland Bayley]

The USGA may not be hurting for options, but if you follow Geoff Schack's site, you know they have been hurting for money.

[Steve Lapper]

Mike,

And ideas on why the WF vote was so lobsided?

Loss of the East and West courses to play for too long?  USGA mandated changes to the course?

The "reward" of hosting a US Open not worth the pain?

Happy New Year

Mike:
1) Displacement of play and facility.
2)$
3)$$
4)Existing club government
5)$$$

JES:

No set #.
Pebble, Pinehurst, Bethpage, and Olympic are probably the only "locks" for now. Torrey Pines could join that list shortly.

This is the first year they have used the "reduced fee" tactic. My guess is that this will backfire on them with old-school clubs that are no longer enamored with the idea of the prestige associated with hosting such an event vs. membership play displacement and possibility of temporary disfigurement.

I love the Chambers Bay idea. Good luck though getting the USGA on board with the Northwest.

Erin Hills is indeed being groomed for an Open, but the uncertainty of how it will fare just yet and anticipation of the upcoming events scheduled there will likely keeping it from final selection for now.

[Garland Bayley]

...
I love the Chambers Bay idea. Good luck though getting the USGA on board with the Northwest.
...

Did I mention there will be no weather related delays, so setting the TV schedule will be a no brainer?
 

[PThomas]

The USGA may not be hurting for options, but if you follow Geoff Schack's site, you know they have been hurting for money.

hurting for money or just greedy for even more??

[mark chalfant]

Meadow  Brook Hunt  

Very solid course on 220 acres next to huge college campus in Jericho, Long island.  At MBH vexing Dick Wilson greens  lots  driving  challenges per  sharp doglegs

[JESII]

JES:

No set #.
Pebble, Pinehurst, Bethpage, and Olympic are probably the only "locks" for now. Torrey Pines could join that list shortly.

This is the first year they have used the "reduced fee" tactic. My guess is that this will backfire on them with old-school clubs that are no longer enamored with the idea of the prestige associated with hosting such an event vs. membership play displacement and possibility of temporary disfigurement.

Steve,

I'd think it would be safe to add Oakmont to that list as well...Pick one in Chicago and you're pretty close to all you'd need to fill out a rota...

Re: The high profile old clubs...It is my opinion that the USGA needs them more than they need the USGA. The next 20 years will see a major shift in the host course group...we're already seeing it.

[Steve Lapper]

Jim:

  You are 100% correct on both counts. Oakmont belongs in that rota and a Midwest site (TBD) fits. I couldn't agree more about the USGA's need. Frankly, the blazers may yet end up following the sage advice (by default) of their chief administrator, David Fay in taking the event to public venues more frequently.

  The only thing I'd add is that I wouldn't count out the Donald for making them some deal they couldn't refuse. If WF & Shinny aren't up for hosting, why wouldn't the Far Hills Follies happen close to home?

A healthy & Happy New Years to all!!

[Jay Cox]

The USGA should go up the road and promote a Bethpage type restoration of Ponkapoag-a 36 hole complex 10 miles south of Boston. Course number 1 is a Ross design that could use an Oakmont type tree removal program. Course 2 would be a great parking and staging area-it also borders a major highway.

Ponkapoag needs a lot more than tree removal:  it would need at least 8-10 (and quite possibly 18) new greens, built from scratch to replace a bunch of 1960s-era hack jobs that were built when some of the Ross greens were moved; a complete rebuild of every bunker from scratch; and a complete re-turfing of every inch of the place.  Even then, I don't think that there's enough room on the property to stretch it out to anywhere near the 7300+ yards that's required these days, especially not without killing any hope of crowd flow.  Too much up-front investment for the city of Canton to have any hope of paying for it -- even if someone like the USGA were to take an interest and help out.

It would be great to have another metro-Boston venue besides TCC, especially a truly public one.  But I don't see any plausible candidates out there.

[Ray Richard]

Jay-you brought up a bunch of good points about the scale of a Ponkapoag renovation-it would be bigger than Bethpage and some of the number 2 course would need to be taken to make it work. The State of Massachusetts owns the two courses through its DCR division-they are trying to upgrade but it needs a driving force-strong personality to get the USGA and Comm of Mass to get moving. That's how the Bethpage renovation got started, a dynamic state of NY employee grabbed the reins and pushed the deal-and now NY State has a world class golf course and another Open in the future.

And further down the road we have George Wright,(owned by the City of Boston) has US Open scale with plenty of fine Ross features-too bad the course has zero parking.

[Jay Cox]

Ray, I agree completely re George Wright.  Even if it could never host a US Open, I think it would be [ital]wonderful[/ital] to see it restored.  It could easily be the best public course within an hour's drive of Boston, and a true jewel for the city.

[mike_beene]

With the loss of its tour event does Denver become a better option? They seem to really turn out for events.Downsides are where to play-is Cherry Hills too short? Would Colo Golf Club have infrastructure.The other big downside is the quick thunderstorms.I dont understand how you could safely get people off the course.Houston ,Dallas ,Austin,Phoenix Atlanta are just too hot even if you found an appropriate course.

[Mike McGuire]

Things are looking good for Erin Hills.

I'm skeptical - but I recently asked someone local (not a goof) who seems to think it will  happen for sure.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I think we are seeing frustration that has been coming for 10 years with doing business with the USGA. Its seems much like the players and their feelings showing wth the Ryder Cup relationship, we are seeing the same now with the Open. The USGA has been working the numbers more and more to its interest while demanding more and more timewise and otherwise from the host club. It does not surprise me at all. I have been told of the challenges of dealing with the USGA on the business end by Olympic and Shinny way beyond what one would expect front our leadership body. the issues in dealing with them on course set up and inconvenances to members are better known as is the prestige which the event brings.

[Geoffrey_Walsh]

I'm sure WF member Trump did everything he could to support the leadership's vision to bring the Open back...  

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Houston ,Dallas ,Austin,Phoenix Atlanta are just too hot even if you found an appropriate course.

It wouldn't be any warmer than it was at Southern Hills.  It has been done before and many in those parts of the country would love to see it be done again.

[mike_malone]

 Cobbs Creek has 36.

[Mike Mosely]

Why not Oakmont ion in 2015?  Last year was great and there are plenty of opens and open venues in greater NYC.