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Best U.S. Open Venue? Two Perspectives

The boys at Golf Digest are heavily into the U.S. Open and as such have come up with a list they call “The Best U.S. Open Venues… Factoring in course layout, tradition, past winner and excitement produced, our panel provides a ‘definitive’ ranking.”

They only include courses that held an Open for the past ten years so that disqualified a few favorites like Baltusrol and Oakland Hills but it’s still a heavy hitting list.pebble coast

Without blinking I knew Pebble Beach would be tops. As far as pure beauty Pebble is the real deal and add in a little history with Nicklaus, Woods and Watson and you have the most dramatic of settings.

Let’s remember that this was a Golf Digest Panel…not the USGA. This year’s Open at Oakmont is the ninth time the USGA has paid a visit there and that’s more than any other course.

Click here for their slide-show.

On a much smaller scale is my ranking of U.S Open Venues…the ones I’ve been lucky enough to attend in person.

Bethpage Black in 2002 was fun as Tiger won and I got on Bethpage for the first time. In 2009 I spent a ton of time there slopping around in the mud. The Monday finish was great as we watched every player come through the 15-18 hole stretch, and it was dry!

In 2004 we watched Retief Goosen putt his way to an Open victory on a course that was as dry as Peter Alliss’ wit. But when we hit the course to watch the Open we need some shade to stop from frying and there are about all of two trees on Shinnecock. But the karaoke at the hotel was hilarious.

Winged Foot Country Club is so close that I was able to spend just about every day there and that is one magnificent golf course. Watched Phil choke from the air conditioned comfort of the hospitality tent and yes he is an idiot.tiger 2002 open

Rain seems to be a theme on many of my Open excursions and Congressional in 2011 wasn’t any different. A soaked course was no match for Rory McIlroy and he ate it up and bounced back from his Masters Meltdown. But I did have my first “conversation” with USGA Executive Director Mike Davis there.

Merion in ’13 was a great trip as we got to see plenty of golf and the course held up well against today’s golfers. It was funny though to watch Mickelson bitch to Davis about the 270 yard, uphill, into the wind, par 3 third hole. We got to play some golf on that trip too so that’s always a good thing.

Pinehurst in 2014 for both the men’s and women’s Open was another story. Armed with media credentials I was able to spend over a week in the media center and see plenty of golf. I also got to play a few rounds and even beat my brother for a change. Pinehurst #2 was a great looking course and I loved all the hype about brown being the new green.

So Bethpage holds a special place as I have played it a few times since those Opens and you get a real appreciation for the difficulty those players face.

Congressional was impressive but wasn’t as spectacular as some others.

Winged Foot ranks high for how green and meticulous the course was. And for excitement it’s near the top.

Shinnecock just makes you jealous of all those rich guys that call that their home course. That’s the one I would most want to play.

Merion and Pinehurst are neck and neck for overall favorite but it isn’t so much for the courses but for the experiences. I had one of my boys and my brother spend time with me at both Opens and that made them so special.

Pinehurst wins out maybe just for the sheer voluble of time I spent there. At the course from Monday to Monday, men and women on the same course, great weather and two rounds of sandhills golf. And did I mention that I beat my brother?

Pinehurst wins as Best U.S. Open Venue as voted on by this one person panel.

2014 U.S. Open

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2 Comments

  1. Yes, you did mention that you beat me at Pinehurst! It’s a hard pick, Bro, since each trip to the Open has been special. The Karaoke at Shinnecock in 2004 was memorable but so was the the Fred Funk cheering gallery on 16 and the Craig Stadler commentary from outside the ropes on #7 when his son Kevin putted off the green. That was the week that the course ran away from the USGA and initiated a changing of the guard resulting in Mike Davis’ selection of Executive Director. We also had the pleasure of sitting on those three legged stools the USGA sold on site which did unmentionable things to our unmentionables. So, if forced to pick I’ll go with Shinnecock as it was the first of our extended trips to watch championship golf. Here’s hoping we have many more.

  2. Good points bro, my junk has never been the same since those tripod torture devices. Next time you’re singing karaoke!

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