The United States Open Golf Championship has seen some great champions through the years. From Bobby Jones to Jack Nicklaus, the U.S. Open has been won by golf's best.
Of course, a great championship requires an outstanding championship venue. Some courses have been selected again and again by the USGA. What are some of the great U.S. Open courses in history?
Here is my list:
- Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, PA. This course has been the site of the U.S. Open eight times. Winners at this course include Ben Hogan in 1953 and Jack Nicklaus in 1962.
- Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, NJ. Baltusrol has hosted the U.S. Open seven times on three different courses! Jack Nicklaus captured two titles here, and Willie Anderson won this event during his run of three consecutive titles over 100 years ago.
- Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, MI. This storied course has hosted six U.S. Opens in its history. Winners here include Ben Hogan and Andy North.
- Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, CA. The incomparable Pebble Beach has been home to five U.S. Open Championships. Champions here include Jack Nicklaus in 1972, Tom Watson in 1982 and Tiger Woods in 2000.
- The Olympic Club Lake Course in San Francisco, CA. The Olympic Club has been the site of four U.S. Open Championships and will host a fifth in 2012. This course is known for its upsets. Some of the greats of the game, including Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer, have experienced crushing defeats here.
- Winged Foot Country Club in Mamaroneck, NY. Winged Foot has hosted five U.S. Opens on two courses. Hale Irwin won here in 1974, and Geoff Ogilvy won here in 2006 -- courtesy of Phil Mickelson.
- Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Shinnecock Hills, NY. This club has held the U.S. Open four times, including the second playing of the tournament in 1896, and has seen some unexpected winners. Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson would prefer to forget about two of those moments.
- Medinah Country Club in Medinah, IL. This great course in the Chicago area has been the site of the U.S. Open on three occasions. Winners here include Cary Middlecoff and Hale Irwin.
- Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA. The historic East Course has been home to three U.S. Open Championships, including the 1950 Open where Ben Hogan won after a near fatal car accident.
- Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY. Oak Hill has hosted three U.S. Opens. Winners here include Lee Trevino and Curtis Strange.
Dwight is an avid golfer. While still relatively new to the game, he plays as often as the weather and his schedule will allow.
