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Andy Scanlon

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Oakmont Tree Removal Article
« on: February 12, 2007, 08:19:05 AM »
I thought this was interesting.  Apologies if already posted...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07042/761220-382.stm
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All architects will be a lot more comfortable when the powers that be in golf finally solve the ball problem. If the distance to be gotten with the ball continues to increase, it will be necessary to go to 7,500 and even 8000 yard courses.  
- William Flynn, golf architect, 1927

Dan Boerger

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Re:Oakmont Tree Removal Article
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2007, 08:42:37 AM »
Two comments ...

The actual number of trees they removed is really astounding, and surely must have changed more than the look of the course. I'm curious how members (or those who've played it pre and post removal) would compare and contrast the course now. Has the turf really improved, how much more a factor is the wind?

Is Bob Ford the professional the same Bob Ford that is/was the professional at Seminole? If so, wow -- that's some couple of clubs to oversee!
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"Man should practice moderation in all things, including moderation."  Mark Twain

JohnV

Re:Oakmont Tree Removal Article
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2007, 08:50:44 AM »
Yes, Bob Ford is the pro at Oakmont in the summer and Seminole in the winter.  Not a bad gig if you can get it.  He is also a very good player who just missed qualifying for the Champions Tour the one year he tried and won the PGA Club Pro Championship in the past.

The trees were mostly gone before I moved to Pittsburgh, but everyone I've spoken with does say the turf is much better these days.  The wind is a definite factor.  We played on January 2nd and it just howls across the course like it would in Scotland.

If we get the kind of temperatures that they got the last time the US Open was here a lot of people will be wishing the trees were still there.
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Jim Nugent

Re:Oakmont Tree Removal Article
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2007, 09:30:59 AM »
First 3 sentences in the article read, "If the U.S. Open had been played at Oakmont Country Club last year, Phil Mickelson probably would have won his fourth major championship.

"He would not have had to try to bend a shot around a tree on the 18th hole -- which failed spectacularly and led to a double-bogey -- because at Oakmont, there are no trees.

"Not anymore. Not on the 18th hole. Not on any interior portion of the course."

Does Oakmont allow or reward such terrible driving as Phil's in the last round of the 2006 U.S. Open?  i.e. if Phil hits the ball at Oakmont the way he did at WFW, could he still win?  
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