U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP Erin Hills, Erin, Wisconsin Blue Mound Golf and Country Club, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin August 22-28, 2011
AMATEUR
TRUST. U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP® BALL COUNT
U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP® BALL COUNT
1 3 6
2 4 2 Nearest Competitor
2 8
U.S. GIRLS’ JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP® BALL COUNT
U.S. JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP® BALL COUNT
1 2 2
1 3 4 Nearest Competitor
9
Nearest Competitor
1 2
Nearest Competitor
1 3
THE #1 BALL AT THE USGA AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS.
2011 Acushnet Company. Acushnet Co. is an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. NYSE: FO. Source: Darrell Survey. U.S. Amateur Championship®, U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship®, U.S. Junior Amateur Championship® and U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship® are registered service marks of the United States Golf Association® and are used with permission. The USGA does not endorse or sponsor Titleist or its products in any way.
2011 U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
USGA/JOHN?MUMMERT
AUGUST 22-28
Contents 12
USGA Maintains its Focus
14
U.S. Amateur Conditions of Play
16
History of the U.S. Amateur
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U.S. Amateur Champions
24
Uihlein Wins 2010 U.S. Amateur
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History of Erin Hills
30
Hole-by-Hole Look at Erin Hills
48
History of Blue Mound G&CC
50
Hole-by-Hole Look at Blue Mound
60
Rules Officials Never Stop Learning
64
Rethinking Turfgrass Water Needs
ON THE COVER: The par-3 ninth hole at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis. (By Paul Hundley). All Erin Hills and Blue Mound G&CC photography by Paul Hundley.
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From the USGA JIM HYLER l USGA PRESIDENT 111TH U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
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he U.S. Amateur Championship, which was first conducted in 1895, is the oldest golf championship in the country – one day older than the U.S. Open. Throughout its history, the Amateur has been the most coveted of all amateur titles. Among the great names on the Havemeyer Trophy are Gene Littler, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lanny Wadkins, Hal Sutton, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, all of whom went on to become professionals. It was, however, longtime amateur Robert T. Jones Jr. who first attracted widespread attention to this championship. He won the U.S. Amateur five times (1924, ’25, ’27, ’28 and ’30), and his 1930 victory rounded out the Grand Slam, in which he won the four major American and British championships in one year. Sixty-six years later, in 1996, Tiger Woods attracted similar interest when he won a record third consecutive U.S. Amateur. On behalf of the volunteers and staff of the United States Golf Association, we welcome you to the 111th U.S. Amateur. We are particularly pleased to bring this championship to Erin Hills, which has also been selected to host the 2017 U.S. Open. The course was designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and Ron Whitten and opened in 2006. Erin Hills was created in harmony with the land. Although it is a relatively young course, it is set on glacial terrain that is centuries old. Natural features include signature oaks, maples, tamaracks and hickories, and seas of fescue surround each hole, adding to the dramatic setting and the challenge. We are grateful to owner Andy Ziegler, along with the staff and volunteers at Erin Hills, for their hospitality and hard work. We also thank the members and staff at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club in nearby Wauwatosa, the companion course for the championship, for welcoming the players to their course. And we salute the players who have qualified to compete for one of the game’s most coveted titles. May this gathering at Erin Hills foster lasting friendships and memories. Sincerely,
Jim Hyler 4|
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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Governor’s Letter SCOTT WALKER l GOVERNOR STATE OF WISCONSIN
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n behalf of the people of the state of Wisconsin, I wish to officially welcome competitors, spectators and supporters of the 2011 U.S. Amateur Championship at Erin Hills and Blue Mound Golf & Country Club. This event represents a great opportunity for people of all ages throughout the United States and beyond to get together and experience the oldest United States Golf Association championship in existence. Erin Hills and Blue Mound Golf & Country Club will showcase Wisconsin’s natural beauty while providing exciting challenges to the players. Wisconsin is proud to host the U.S. Amateur Championship for the first time in the state’s history. Thanks to the supporters, staff and volunteers for organizing the event, and best of luck to all who have qualified for this prestigious championship. I hope you truly enjoy your time at Erin Hills and Blue Mound Golf & Country Club. Sincerely,
Scott Walker
Published by: © 2011
PUBLISHER/EDITOR John Hughes ASSOCIATE EDITOR Rick Pledl
P.O. Box 14439 Madison, Wisconsin 53708 (800) 685-0036 Web site: www.wisgolfer.com E-mail: info@wisgolfer.com
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Erin Eagan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ali Head, Dunlop Associates, Inc.
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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Welcome JIM REINHART l GENERAL CHAIRMAN 111TH U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
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n behalf of Erin Hills and Blue Mound Golf & Country Club, congratulations to the 312 competitors who have qualified for the 111th U.S. Amateur Championship. Also, a special thank you to the 800-plus volunteers and staff members at both venues whose hard work has made this championship possible. And, welcome to the many spectators who will witness the world’s best amateur golfers compete for the prestigious right to be forever known as a U.S. Amateur champion. In co-hosting the U.S. Amateur, Blue Mound continues its tradition of hosting major golf championships, most notably the 1933 PGA Championship won by Gene Sarazen. Erin Hills is hosting its second United States Golf Association championship, as it previously hosted the 2008 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship and eagerly awaits the 2017 U.S. Open. Erin Hills is proud to be a part of the USGA’s decision to take the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open to more public golf courses and to Wisconsin for the first time. We are especially excited about the quality of the two courses which will challenge the players. They provide a distinct contrast in styles. Blue Mound, a classic Seth Raynor design, emphasizes accuracy and creativity to navigate the undulating green complexes and fast greens. Erin Hills, only five years old and designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and Ron Whitten, combines the links characteristics of firm fescue fairways and an open, windswept landscape that will test the players both off the tee and around the challenging greens. With its many risk-reward options, Erin Hills will provide fascinating excitement and drama during the match-play portion of the championship. We are extremely proud to announce that for the first time since 1997, there is no admission fee to attend the U.S. Amateur Championship. This admission policy has been made possible by the collective support of the “Friends of Erin Hills,” a small group of local companies, including Baird, M&I Bank and Artisan Partners. Good luck to all the competitors. We hope that you all play your best and have a memorable experience during the 2011 U.S. Amateur Championship. Sincerely, Jim Reinhart
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FOR THE BENEFIT OF GOLFERS For more than a century, the United States Golf Association has sponsored programs that make the game more enjoyable for all golfers — amateurs and professionals; public- and private-course players; low and high handicappers. Whether it be writing and interpreting the Rules, formulating a handicap system that makes the game fair, or conducting national championships, the USGA acts in the best interests of the game. To learn more about the USGA, please visit www.usga.org or call 1-800-345-USGA and join with us today in benefiting the greatest game of all.
For the good of the game ® ©2011 USGA
COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND STAFF
Committee chairs and staff COMMITTEE CHAIRS Jim Reinhart General Chairman
Todd Krieg Vice Chairman
Mark Vetter Vice Chairman
Ron Beckman Bob Bonner Dennis Braun Jeff Bryden David Cohn Tom Dempsey Darren DeVore Punch Elliott Mel Foley Doug Fry Mike Gehl
Ken Hemauer Terry Hughes Steve Johnson Tom Kirchen John Koss Roger Kriete David Leist John Lonergan Bob Nelson Eric Peter Joe Pickart
Tom Ray Mark Reinemann Wendy Reinemann Mike Roos Chuck Severson Tom Slocum Mike Stolz Jim Stone Don Tendick Jim Thompson Bob Venable
ERIN HILLS & BLUE MOUND G&CC STAFFS Glenn Berbaum Bill Berdan Brooke Clemens Joe Coraggio Ben Fahrenholz Keith Gressle 10 |
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
Jed Hunter Nick Krattiger Barry Linhart Jim Lombardo John Morrissett Zach Reineking
Kris Schoonover Pat Standlee Rich Tock Tim Venes Parrish Wagner Stephanie Williams
Show the world you love golf and support Junior Golf at the same time. Your $25 will introduce a child to the game, and the positive lessons that come with it. Visit TravelWisconsin.com/golf.
Wisconsin Section Junior Foundation
ABOUT THE USGA
USGA Maintains its Focus ASSOCIATION HAS SERVED ITS MEMBERS FOR 117 YEARS
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he United States Golf Association has served as the national governing body of golf since its formation in 1894. A non-profit organization, the USGA sponsors programs that serve everyone who loves and respects the game of golf. These essential services affect all golfers, whether they are amateurs or professionals, public- or privatecourse players. More than 9,000 private and public courses, clubs and facilities comprise the USGA. An executive committee of 15 volunteers, the organization’s policy-making board, oversees the association. More than 1,300 volunteers from all parts of the country serve on other USGA committees. All donate their services and pay most of their own expenses. A professional staff of approximately 350 directs the association’s day-today functions from Golf House, the USGA’s headquarters in Far Hills, N.J.
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2011 U.S. AMATEUR
In 1975, the association formed the USGA Members Program to help support the game and the USGA. Today, more than 700,000 golfers around the nation are USGA members. The USGA acts in cooperation with national, regional and local golf associations in areas of common interest. The association also represents the Unites States in relations with golf associations of other countries. Based on a shared love and respect for golf, we preserve its past, foster its future and champion its best interests for everyone who enjoys the game. We do that in many ways, including the following: ________________________________ Conduct national championships The USGA conducts 13 national championships each year, drawing more than 35,000 entries and representing more than 80 countries. These include the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Senior
Golf House is located in Far Hills, N.J.
Open and 10 national amateur championships in addition to the biennial State Team Championships. The USGA also helps conduct four international competitions – the Walker Cup Match, the Curtis Cup Match and the men’s and women's World Amateur Team Championships. ________________________________ Write and interpret the Rules of Golf The USGA and The Royal & Ancient Golf Club in St. Andrews, Scotland, together govern the game worldwide, including joint administration of the Rules of Golf to safeguard the tradition and integrity of the game. ________________________________ Maintain the Handicap and Course Rating Systems Thanks to the USGA Handicap SystemTM, all golfers can compete equally. The USGA Course Rating SystemTM ensures that golf courses are rated in relation to all other courses. The USGA Slope SystemTM adjusts a player’s USGA Handicap Index® according to the difficulty of a course. As a result, no matter whom golfers play with – or where they play
– they can enjoy a fair game. These systems are used in more than 50 countries on six continents. ________________________________ Regulate and test golf equipment The USGA continually tests golf equipment for conformance to the Rules of Golf. Without such rigorous equipment testing and research programs, advances in technology could overtake skill as the major factor in success. ________________________________ Fund turfgrass and environmental research Since 1920, the USGA has funded turfgrass and environmental research that benefits golf in the areas of turfgrass and resource management, sustainable development and environmental protection. ________________________________ Celebrate golf’s history To help celebrate and preserve the game’s heritage, the USGA collects and displays golf artifacts, memorabilia, images, books and artwork at the USGA Museum and Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History at the USGA’s headquarters in Far Hills, N.J. 2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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CONDITIONS OF PLAY
U.S. Amateur Conditions of Play Entries Open to amateurs who have USGA Handicap Indexes not exceeding 2.4. Entries closed July 6.
Starting Field 312 players
Schedule of Play Monday, Aug. 22 First round, stroke play (18 holes; 312 players) Tuesday, Aug. 23 Second round, stroke play (18 holes; 312 players) After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 64 scorers, who will advance to match play Wednesday, Aug. 24 First round, match play (18 holes; 64 players) Thursday, Aug. 25 Second round, match play (18 holes; 32 players) Third round, match play (18 holes; 16 players) Friday, Aug. 26 Quarterfinals, match play (18 holes, eight players) Saturday, Aug. 27 Semifinals, match play (18 holes; four players) Sunday, Aug. 28 Championship match (36 holes; two players)
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2011 U.S. AMATEUR
Sectional Qualifying 36 holes of stroke play, scheduled at 97 sites, between July 18 and Aug. 10
Exemptions from Sectional Qualifying
4 Winners of the U.S. Amateur Championship the last 10 years (2001-2010) 4 Runners-up of the U.S. Amateur Championship the last three years (2008-2010)
4 Semifinalists of the U.S. Amateur Championship the last two years (2009-2010) 4 Quarterfinalists from the 2010 U.S. Amateur Championship
4 Any player who qualified for the 2011 U.S. Open Championship
4 From the 2010 U.S. Open Championship, those returning scores for 72 holes
4 From the 2011 U.S. Senior Open Championship, the amateur returning the lowest 72-hole score 4 From the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, winners in 2009 and 2010 and the runner-up in 2010
4 From the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, winners in 2010 and 2011 and the runner-up in 2011 4 From the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, winners in 2010 and 2011 and the runner-up in 2011 4 From the USGA Senior Amateur Championship, winners in 2009 and 2010 and the runner-up in 2010 4 Playing members of the two most current USA and Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Teams (2009 and 2011)
4 Playing members of the two most current USA Men’s World Amateur Teams (2008 and 2010) 4 Winner of the 2011 individual NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship
4 Winners of the British Amateur Championship the last five years (2007-2011)
4 Winners of the most current Asian Amateur, Mexican Amateur and Canadian Men’s Amateur Championships
4 From the current Men’s World Amateur Golf Ranking, the top 50 points leaders and anyone tying for 50th place as of the close of entries (must have filed an entry by July 6, 2011) 4 Low eight finishers and ties from the 2010 World Amateur Team Championship 4 Special exemptions as selected by the USGA
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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HISTORY
The First One AMERICA’S OLDEST GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP DATES TO AN 1894 DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO EASTERN CLUBS
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USGA/JOHN?MUMMERT
he U.S. Amateur Championship was born in 1895 because of a controversy. In 1894, two clubs — Newport (R.I.) Golf Club and New York’s St. Andrew’s Golf Club — had conducted invitational tournaments to attract the nation’s top amateur players.
Newport’s stroke-play tournament was won by club member W.G. Lawrence, who triumphed over a field of 20 competitors. The matchplay competition at St. Andrews attracted 27 golfers and was won by Laurence Stoddart of the host club. Both clubs proclaimed their winners as the national champion. Clearly, golf needed a national governing body to conduct national championships, develop a single set of rules for all golfers to follow and promote the best interests of the game. With that, representatives from five clubs founded the United States Golf Association on Dec. 22, 1894. As a result, in 1895, its first full year of operation, the USGA conducted Amateur, Open and Women’s Amateur Championships. The Amateur and Open Championships were conducted at Newport Golf Club during the same week of October and Charles B. Macdonald became the first U.S. Amateur champion. The Amateur Championship is the oldest golf championship in this country – one day older than the U.S. Open. Except for an eight-year period from 1965 to 1972, when it was stroke play, the Amateur has been a match-play championship. Over the years, as interest in the game grew and the number of quality players increased, it became necessary to establish a national handicapping system to determine who was eligible to compete in the Amateur. The USGA’s first national handicap list, which was published for the 1912 championship,
was the forerunner of the present-day USGA Handicap System. Throughout its history, the U.S. Amateur has been the most coveted of all amateur titles. Many of the great names of professional golf, such as Gene Littler, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lanny Wadkins, Craig Stadler, Jerry Pate, Mark O’Meara, Hal Sutton, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, grace the Havemeyer Trophy. It was, however, longtime amateur Robert T. Jones Jr. who first attracted media coverage and spectator attendance at the Amateur Championship. Jones captured the championship five times (1924, ’25, ’27, ’28 and ’30). His 1930 victory was a stunning moment in golf history, when, at Merion Cricket Club in Ardmore, Pa., Jones rounded out the Grand Slam, winning the four major American and British championships in one year. Sixty-six years later, in 1996, Woods attracted similar interest and enthusiasm when he won a record third consecutive U.S. Amateur at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore. In 1994, Woods, at 18, entered the record book as the youngest ever to win the Amateur Championship. In 1996, he broke another record when he won, having registered 18 consecutive match-play victories. In 2008, Danny Lee of New Zealand became the youngest winner at 18 years and one month; the record was again broken in 2009 by Byeong-Hun An of Korea, who won the title at 17 years, 11 months and 13 days. 2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONS
U.S. Amateur Champions (1895-2010) All photos courtesy of the USGA 1895: Charles B. Macdonald d. Charles E. Sands, 12 and 11; Newport (R.I.) G.C.; All match play; Entries: 32 1896: H.J. Whigham d. J.G. Thorp, 8 and 7; Shinnecock Hills G.C., Southampton, N.Y.; Medalist – 163, H.J. Whigham; Entries: 58 1897: H.J. Whigham d. W. Rossiter Betts, 8 and 6; Chicago G.C., Wheaton, Ill.; Medalist – 174, Charles B. Macdonald; Entries: 58 1898: Findlay S. Douglas d. Walter B. Smith, 5 and 3; Morris County G.C., Morristown, N.J.; Medalist – 175, J.H. Choate Jr.; Entries: 120 1899: H.M. Harriman d. Findlay S. Douglas, 3 and 2; Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, Ill.; Medalist – 168, Charles B. Macdonald; Entries: 112 1900: Walter J. Travis d. Findlay S. Douglas, 2 up; Garden City (N.Y.) G.C.; Medalist – 166, Walter J. Travis; Entries: 120 1901: Walter J. Travis d. Walter E. Egan, 5 and 4; Country Club of Atlantic City (N.J.); Medalist – 157, Walter J. Travis; Entries: 142 1902: Louis N. James d. Eben M. Byers, 4 and 2; Glen View Club, Golf, Ill.; Medalist – 79 (18), Walter J. Travis; Entries: 157 1903: Walter J. Travis d. Eben M. Byers, 5 and 4; Nassau C.C., Glen Cove, N.Y.; All match play; Entries: 140 1904: H. Chandler Egan d. Fred Herreshoff, 8 and 6; Baltusrol G.C. (Original Course), Springfield, N.J.; Medalist – 242 (54), H. Chandler Egan; Entries: 142 1905: H. Chandler Egan d. D.E. Sawyer, 6 and 5; Chicago G.C., Wheaton, Ill.; Medalist – 155 (36), Dr. D.P. Fredericks; Entries: 146 1906: Eben M. Byers d. George S. Lyon, 2 up; Englewood (N.J.) G.C.; Medalist – 152, Walter J. Travis; Entries: 141 1907: Jerome D. Travers d. Archibald Graham, 6 and 5; Euclid Club, Cleveland, Ohio; Medalist – 146, Walter J. Travis; Entries: 118 1908: Jerome D. Travers d. Max H. Behr, 8 and 7; Garden City (N.Y.) G.C.; Medalist – 153, Walter J. Travis; Entries: 145
Five-time U.S. Amateur champion Bob Jones. 18 |
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
1909: Robert A. Gardner d. H. Chandler Egan, 4 and 3; Chicago G.C., Wheaton, Ill.; Medalists – 151, Robert A. Gardner, Charles Evans Jr., Thomas M. Sherman; Entries: 120 1910: William C. Fownes Jr. d. Warren K. Wood, 4 and 3; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; Medalist – 152, Fred Herreshoff; Entries: 217 1911: Harold H. Hilton d. Fred Herreshoff, 37 holes; The Apawamis Club, Rye, N.Y.; Medalist – 150, Harold H. Hilton; Entries: 186 1912: Jerome D. Travers d. Charles Evans Jr., 7 and 6; Chicago G.C., Wheaton, Ill.; Medalists – 152, Charles Evans Jr., Harold H. Hilton; Entries: 86 1913: Jerome D. Travers d. John G. Anderson, 5 and 4; Garden City (N.Y.) G.C.; Medalist – 148, Charles Evans Jr.; Entries: 149 1914: Francis Ouimet d. Jerome D. Travers, 6 and 5; Ekwanok C.C., Manchester, Vt.; Medalists – 144, R.R. Gorton, W.C. Fownes Jr.; Entries: 115 1915: Robert A. Gardner d. John G. Anderson, 5 and 4; Country Club of Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.; Medalist – 152, Dudley Mudge; Entries: 142 1916: Charles Evans Jr. d. Robert A. Gardner, 4 and 3; Merion Cricket Club (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist – 153, W.C. Fownes Jr.; Entries: 160 Arnold Palmer won his U.S. Amateur title 1917-18: No Championships, World War I in 1954. 1919: S. Davidson Herron d. Robert T. Jones Jr., 5 and 4; Oakmont (Pa.) C.C.; Medalists – 158, S. Davidson Herron, J.B. Manion, Paul Tewkesbury; Entries: 150 1920: Charles Evans Jr. d. Francis Ouimet, 7 and 6; Engineers C.C., Roslyn Harbor, N.Y.; Medalists – 154, Robert T. Jones Jr., Fred J. Wright Jr.; Entries: 235 1921: Jesse P. Guilford d. Robert A. Gardner, 7 and 6; St. Louis C.C., Clayton, Mo.; Medalist – 144, Francis Ouimet; Entries: 159 1922: Jess W. Sweetser d. Charles Evans Jr., 3 and 2; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; Medalist – 144, Jesse P. Guilford; Entries: 161 1923: Max R. Marston d. Jess W. Sweetser, 38 holes; Flossmoor (Ill.) C.C.; Medalists – 149, Charles Evans Jr., Robert T. Jones Jr.; Entries: 143 1924: Robert T. Jones Jr. d. George Von Elm, 9 and 8; Merion Cricket Club (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist – 142, D. Clarke Corkran; Entries: 154 1925: Robert T. Jones Jr. d. Watts Gunn, 8 and 7; Oakmont (Pa.) C.C.; Medalist – 145, Roland R. MacKenzie; Entries: 141 1926: George Von Elm d. Robert T. Jones Jr., 2 and 1; Baltusrol G.C. (Lower Course), Springfield, N.J.; Medalist – 143, Robert T. Jones Jr.; Entries: 157 1927: Robert T. Jones Jr. d. Charles Evans Jr., 8 and 7; Minikahda Club, Minneapolis, Minn.; Medalist – 142, Robert T. Jones Jr.; Entries: 174 1928: Robert T. Jones Jr. d. T. Phillip Perkins, 10 and 9; Brae Burn C.C., West Newton, Mass.; Medalist – 143, George J. Voigt; Entries: 158 1929: Harrison R. Johnston d. Dr. O.F. Willing, 4 and 3; Del Monte G. & C.C., Pebble Beach, Calif.; Medalists – 145, Robert T. Jones Jr., Eugene V. Homans; Entries: 162 1930: Robert T. Jones Jr. d. Eugene V. Homans, 8 and 7; Merion Cricket Club (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist – 142, Robert T. Jones Jr.; Entries: 175 2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONS
First Year of Sectional Qualifying (1931) 1931: Francis Ouimet d. Jack Westland, 6 and 5; Beverly C.C., Chicago, Ill.; Medalists – 148, Arthur Yates, Charles H. Seaver, John E. Lehman; Entries: 583 1932: C. Ross Somerville d. John Goodman, 2 and 1; Baltimore C.C. (Five Farms, East Course), Timonium, Md.; Medalist – 142, John W. Fischer; Entries: 600 1933: George T. Dunlap Jr. d. Max R. Marston, 6 and 5; Kenwood C.C., Cincinnati, Ohio; Medalist – 141, John W. Fischer; Entries: 601 1934: W. Lawson Little Jr. d. David Goldman, 8 and 7; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; All match play; Entries: 758 1935: W. Lawson Little Jr. d. Walter Emery, 4 and 2; The Country Club, Cleveland, Ohio; All match play; Entries: 945 1936: John W. Fischer d. Jack McLean, 37 holes; Garden City (N.Y.) G.C.; All match play; Entries: 1,118 1937: John Goodman d. Raymond E. Billows, 2 up; Alderwood C.C., Portland, Ore.; Medalist – 142, Roger Kelly; Entries: 619 1938: William P. Turnesa d. B. Patrick Abbott, 8 and 7; Oakmont (Pa.) C.C.; Medalist – 146, Gus T. Moreland; Entries: 871 1939: Marvin H. Ward d. Raymond E. Billows, 7 and 5; North Shore C.C., Glenview, Ill.; Medalist – 139, Thomas Sheehan Jr.; Entries: 826 1940: Richard D. Chapman d. W.B. McCullough Jr., 11 and 9; Winged Foot G.C. (West Course), Mamaroneck, N.Y.; Medalist – 140, Richard D. Chapman; Entries: 755 1941: Marvin H. Ward d. B. Patrick Abbott, 4 and 3; Omaha (Neb.) Field Club; Medalist – 144, Stewart M. Alexander Jr.; Entries: 637 1942-45: No Championships, World War II 1946: Stanley E. “Ted” Bishop d. Smiley L. Quick, 37 holes; Baltusrol G.C. (Lower Course), Springfield, N.J.; Medalist – 136, Robert H. “Skee” Riegel; Entries: 899 All Match Play (1947-63) 1947: Robert H. “Skee” Riegel d. John W. Dawson, 2 and 1; Del Monte G. & C.C., Pebble Beach, Calif.; Entries: 1,048 1948: William P. Turnesa d. Raymond E. Billows, 2 and 1; Memphis (Tenn.) C.C.; Entries: 1,220 1949: Charles R. Coe d. Rufus King, 11 and 10; Oak Hill C.C. (East Course), Rochester, N.Y.; Entries: 1,060 1950: Sam Urzetta d. Frank Stranahan, 39 holes; Minneapolis (Minn.) G.C.; Entries: 1,025 1951: Billy Maxwell d. Joseph F. Gagliardi, 4 and 3; Saucon Valley C.C. (Old Course), Bethlehem, Pa.; Entries: 1,416 1952: Jack Westland d. Al Mengert, 3 and 2; Seattle (Wash.) G.C.; Entries: 1,029 1953: Gene Littler d. Dale Morey, 1 up; Oklahoma City (Okla.) G. & C.C.; Entries: 1,284 1954: Arnold Palmer d. Robert Sweeny, 1 up; Country Club of Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.; Entries: 1,278 1955: E. Harvie Ward Jr. d. William Hyndman Jr., 9 and 8; Country Club of Virginia (James River Course), Richmond, Va.; Entries: 1,493 1956: E. Harvie Ward Jr. d. Charles Kocsis, 5 and 4; Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, Ill.; Entries: 1,600 1957: Hillman Robbins Jr. d. Dr. Frank M. Taylor, 5 and 4; The Country Club (Anniversary Course), Brookline, Mass.; Entries: 1,578 1958: Charles R. Coe d. Thomas D. Aaron, 5 and 4; The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif.; Entries: 1,472 1959: Jack Nicklaus d. Charles R. Coe, 1 up; Broadmoor G.C. (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo.; Entries: 1,696
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2011 U.S. AMATEUR
1960: Deane Beman d. Robert W. Gardner, 6 and 4; St. Louis C.C., Clayton, Mo.; Entries: 1,737 1961: Jack Nicklaus d. H. Dudley Wysong Jr., 8 and 6; Pebble Beach (Calif.) G.L.; Entries: 1,995 1962: Labron E. Harris Jr. d. Downing Gray, 1 up; Pinehurst (N.C.) C.C. (No. 2 Course); Entries: 2,044 1963: Deane Beman d. Richard H. Sikes, 2 and 1; Wakonda Club, Des Moines, Iowa; Entries: 1,768 1964: William C. Campbell d. Edgar M. Tutwiler Jr., 1 up; Canterbury G.C., Cleveland, Ohio; Medalists – 143, Marvin “Vinny” Giles III, Robert Greenwood Jr.; Entries: 1,562 All Stroke Play (1965-72) 1965: Robert J. Murphy Jr., 291; Robert B. Dickson, 292; Southern Hills C.C., Tulsa, Okla.; Entries: 1,476 1966: Gary Cowan 285-75; Deane Beman, 285-76; Merion G.C. (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Entries: 1,902 1967: Robert B. Dickson, 285; Marvin “Vinny” Giles III, 286; Broadmoor G.C. (West Course), Colorado Springs, Colo.; Entries: 1,784 1968: Bruce Fleisher, 284; Marvin “Vinny” Giles III, 285; Scioto C.C., Columbus, Ohio; Entries: 2,057 1969: Steven Melnyk, 286; Marvin “Vinny” Giles III, 291; Oakmont (Pa.) C.C.; Entries: 2,142 1970: Lanny Wadkins, *279; Thomas O. Kite Jr., 280; Waverley C.C., Portland, Ore.; Entries: 1,853 1971: Gary Cowan, 280; Eddie Pearce, 283; Wilmington (Del.) C.C. (South Course); Entries: 2,327 1972: Marvin “Vinny” Giles III, 285; Mark S. Hayes, Ben Crenshaw, 288; Charlotte (N.C.) C.C.; Entries: 2,295
Tiger Woods won his third consecutive U.S. Amateur Championship in 1996.
All Match Play (1973-1978) 1973: Craig Stadler d. David Strawn, 6 and 5; Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio; Entries: 2,110 1974: Jerry Pate d. John P. Grace, 2 and 1; Ridgewood (N.J.) C.C.; Entries: 2,420 1975: Fred Ridley d. Keith Fergus, 2 up; Country Club of Virginia (James River Course), Richmond, Va.; Entries: 2,528 1976: Bill Sander d. C. Parker Moore Jr., 8 and 6; Bel-Air C.C., Los Angeles, Calif.; Entries: 2,681 1977: John Fought d. Doug Fischesser, 9 and 8; Aronimink G.C., Newtown Square, Pa.; Entries: 2,950 1978: John Cook d. Scott Hoch, 5 and 4; Plainfield (N.J.) C.C.; Entries: 3,035 36-Hole Stroke Play Qualifying Before Match Play (1979-Present) 1979: Mark O’Meara d. John Cook, 8 and 7; Canterbury G.C., Cleveland, Ohio; Medalist – 134, Bob Clampett; Entries: 3,916 1980: Hal Sutton d. Bob Lewis, 9 and 8; Country Club of North Carolina, Pinehurst, N.C.; Medalist – 139, Fred Couples; Entries: 4,008 1981: Nathaniel Crosby d. Brian Lindley, 37 holes; The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif.; Medalist – 145, Joe Rassett; Entries: 3,525 2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONS
1982: Jay Sigel d. David Tolley, 8 and 7; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; Medalists — 141, Bob Lewis Jr., Robert Stanger Jr.; Entries: 3,685 1983: Jay Sigel d. Chris Perry, 8 and 7; North Shore C.C., Glenview, Ill.; Medalist – 139, Clark Burroughs; Entries: 3,553 1984: Scott Verplank d. Sam Randolph, 4 and 3; Oak Tree G.C., Edmond, Okla.; Medalist – 137, Scott Verplank; Entries: 3,679 1985: Sam Randolph d. Peter Persons, 1 up; Montclair G.C., West Orange, N.J.; Medalist – 134, Sam Randolph; Entries: 3,816 1986: Stewart “Buddy” Alexander d. Chris Kite, 5 and 3; Shoal Creek, Shoal Creek, Ala.; Medalist – 137, Leonard Mattiace; Entries: 4,071 1987: Bill Mayfair d. Eric Rebmann, 4 and 3; Jupiter Hills Club (Hills Course), Jupiter, Fla.; Medalist – 141, Scott Gump; Entries: 4,084 1988: Eric Meeks d. Danny Yates, 7 and 6; Virginia Hot Springs G. & C.C. (Cascades Course), Hot Springs, Va.; Medalist – 137, Tom McKnight; Entries: 4,320 1989: Chris Patton d. Danny Green, 3 and 1; Merion G.C. (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist – 137, Eoghan O’Connell; Entries: 4,603 1990: Phil Mickelson d. Manny Zerman, 5 and 4; Cherry Hills C.C., Englewood, Colo.; Medalist – 135, Phil Mickelson; Entries: 4,765 1991: Mitch Voges d. Manny Zerman, 7 and 6; The Honors Course, Ooltewah, Tenn.; Medalists – 136, Allen Doyle, John Harris; Entries: 4,985 1992: Justin Leonard d. Tom Scherrer, 8 and 7; Muirfield Village G.C., Dublin, Ohio; Medalist – 136, David Duval; Entries: 5,758 1993: John Harris d. Danny Ellis, 5 and 3; Champions G.C. (Cypress Creek Course), Houston, Texas; Medalist – 139, Brian Gay; Entries: 5,614 1994: Tiger Woods d. Trip Kuehne, 2 up; TPC at Sawgrass (Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; Medalist – •132, Hank Kim; Entries: 5,128 1995: Tiger Woods d. George “Buddy” Marucci Jr., 2 up; Newport (R.I.) C.C.; Medalist – 137, Jerry Courville Jr.; Entries: 5,248 1996: Tiger Woods d. Steve Scott, 38 holes; Pumpkin Ridge G.C. (Witch Hollow Course), North Plains, Ore.; Medalist – 136, Tiger Woods; Entries: 5,538 1997: Matthew Kuchar d. Joel Kribel, 2 and 1; Cog Hill G. & C.C. (No. 4 Course), Lemont, Ill.; Medalist – 136, Roger Tambellini; Entries: 6,666
Jay Sigel won consecutive U.S. Amateurs in 1982 and ‘83. 22 |
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
1998: Hank Kuehne d. Tom McKnight, 2 and 1; Oak Hill C.C. (East Course), Rochester, N.Y.; Medalist – 136, Joel Kribel; Entries: 6,627 1999: David Gossett d. Sung Yoon Kim, 9 and 8; Pebble Beach (Calif.) G.L.; Medalist – 143, Gene Elliott; Entries: 7,920 2000: Jeff Quinney d. James Driscoll, 39 holes; Baltusrol G.C., Springfield, N.J.; Medalists – 137, Jim Salinetti, Jeff Wilson; Entries: 7,124 2001: Ben “Bubba” Dickerson d. Robert Hamilton, 1 up; East Lake G.C., Atlanta, Ga.; Medalist – 134, Chris Mundorf; Entries: 7,762 2002: Ricky Barnes d. Hunter Mahan, 2 and 1; Oakland Hills C.C. (South Course), Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Medalist – 135, Bill Haas; Entries: 7,585 2003: Nick Flanagan d. Casey Wittenberg, 37 holes; Oakmont (Pa.) C.C.; Medalist – 138, John Holmes; Entries: 7,541 2004: Ryan Moore d. Luke List, 2 up; Winged Foot G.C. (West Course), Mamaroneck, N.Y.; Medalist – 139, Ryan Moore; Entries: 7,356 2005: Edoardo Molinari d. Dillon Dougherty, 4 and 3; Merion G.C. (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist – 135, James Lepp; Entries: 7,320 2006: Richie Ramsay d. John Kelly, 4 and 2; Hazeltine National G.C., Chaska, Minn.; Medalist – 138, Billy Horschel, Entries: 7,182 2007: Colt Knost d. Michael Thompson, 2 and 1; The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif.; Medalist – 137, Jason Kokrak; Entries: 7,398 2008: Danny Lee d. Drew Kittleson, 5 and 4; Pinehurst R. & C.C. (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.; Medalist – 134, Robbie Fillmore; Entries: 7,298 2009: Byeong-Hun An d. Ben Martin, 7 and 5; Southern Hills C.C., Tulsa, Okla.; Medalist – 140, Tim Jackson; Entries: 6,948 2010: Peter Uihlein d. David Chung, 4 and 2; Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash.; Medalist – 136, Jeff Wilson; Entries: 6,485 Jack Nicklaus, top photo, won his second ___________________________________________________ U.S. Amateur Championship in 1961 at • Record qualifying score in championship proper (1994) Pebble Beach. Phil Mickelson, above, won * Record score for stroke play (1970) § Record entry (1999) the 1990 title.
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USGA/JOHN?MUMMERT
Oklahoma State player Peter Uihlein wore his school colors for the championship match of the 2010 U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.
Uihlein Wins 2010 U.S. Amateur B Y TH E US GA
P
eter Uihlein, of Orlando, Fla., celebrated his 21st birthday by defeating David Chung, of Fayetteville, N.C., 4 and 2, in the scheduled 36-hole final match of the 2010 U.S. Amateur Championship at 7,742-yard, par-71 Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. “It’s definitely the best birthday present I’ve ever had in my life,” Uihlein said. “It’s pretty sweet. To add my name to that list on the trophy is pretty special.” Uihlein, a member of the winning 2009 USA Walker Cup Team, was the equivalent of 8 under par with the usual match-play concessions through the match’s 34 holes. Chung was 2 under par. “I got off to a good start,” said Uihlein, a junior at Oklahoma State. “But even when I was a couple up early, I knew there was a lot of golf left.” Uihlein was 3-up through the first five holes and finished the morning 18 with a 2-up lead. He countered a winning birdie by Chung on the par-3 17th with a chip-in eagle from 40 feet on 18 to regain his 2-up edge. Uihlein increased his margin to 4up through 26 holes with a birdie on the par-5 eighth, despite a holed shot from 118 yards by Chung, which saved par. Chung, who won the 2010 Western
Amateur and Porter Cup and overcame a three-hole deficit in the semifinals to defeat defending champion Byeong-Hun An, had been impressive in match-play comebacks throughout the championship. “I almost all the time put myself in a hole and I somehow bring myself out of it,” said Chung, 20, a junior at Stanford University. “I didn’t want to get ahead of myself,” Uihlein said. “I knew he was going to make a run. You know he’s going to, you just have to be ready.” As expected by Uihlein, Chung reduced his deficit to just 2-down, winning two consecutive holes with a par on the 10th hole and a birdie at the par-4 11th in the afternoon 18. On 12, both players drove the green. Uihlein’s eagle putt from 20 feet slid by the hole leaving Chung the chance to win the hole from 12 feet. However, he could not convert. “If I made that putt on 12 for eagle, I think I could have made a run at it,” said Chung, who has known Uihlein since the beginning of their competitive junior golf careers. “I would have had a huge momentum swing there. I was counting on that putt. I read it and I thought I hit a good putt, but it broke a lot more. It just wasn’t my time to make it.” 2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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Erin Hills
– PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL HUNDLEY –
History Erin Hills – A Recent History
E
rin Hills is a relative newcomer on America’s championship golf scene, but the course northwest of Milwaukee in the town of Erin has already established itself as one of America’s finest tournament venues. Despite its quiet, bucolic surroundings in the shadow of the Holy Hill Basilica, Erin Hills has rapidly made a name for itself as a must-play destination for traveling golfers. Built on rolling terrain shaped by receding glaciers 10,000 years ago, Erin Hills was created in harmony with the land. Although golf course architects Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and Ron Whitten have left their collective mark on the property, Erin Hills’ fairways were already there when the design team made its first visit. The 652-acre site was assembled through two purchases in 1999 and 2000 by local developer Bob Lang. Soon after he bought those parcels, Lang began mowing the grass where he imagined fairways might eventually lay. “The land is the way we found it,” Lang said at the time. “Without exaggerating, we didn’t have to move dirt.” The United States Golf Association took note of the rolling hills, eskers, moraines and the routing created by Hurdzan, Fry and Whitten, and Erin Hills was awarded the 2008 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship before the course was
even seeded. The general public got its first look at Erin Hills when the course officially opened in August 2006. The 2008 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links was a supreme success, with UCLA player Tiffany Joh winning the title for the second time, 2 and 1, in come-from-behind fashion over Jennifer Song. Events at Erin Hills continue to transpire rapidly. The course was awarded the 111th U.S. Amateur Championship in February 2008, several months before its first USGA event was held. In the fall of 2009, Erin Hills was purchased by Milwaukee-area businessman and avid golfer Andrew Ziegler, co-founder of the investment firm Artisan Partners. Under Ziegler’s direction, the course underwent an extensive renovation project in which 10 of the 18 holes were altered. A new maintenance facility was also added, as well as a second clubhouse, guest cottages and upgraded irrigation and drainage systems. In June 2010, Ziegler got the news he and Wisconsin golf fans had been hoping to hear. The USGA awarded Erin Hills the 2017 U.S. Open Championship. Par-72 Erin Hills, which can be stretched to more than 8,000 yards, will be set up at 7,760 yards for the U.S. Amateur, making it the longest course in USGA championship history. 2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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Erin Hills
Erin Hills Map NORTH NORTH
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MerchandiseInformation Parking Shuttle Information Parking ATM Merchandise Merchandise ATM ATM Full Concession First First Aid Ad
Disability Scooters
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Drinks & Snacks Full Full Concession Concession Score BoardDrinks Snacks Drinks and & Snacks Rest RoomsScoreboard Score Board Parking Shuttle Rest Rest Rooms Rooms Parking Parking Shuttle Shuttle Parking Disability Scooters Parking Disability Disability Scooters Scooters
Parking
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3
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Erin Hills
1
Hole PAR 5 ___________ 563 YARDS
The opening hole skirts a wetland, with the fairway tilted from right to left toward it. This hole features the one green that is best approached along the ground. The cluster of bunkers dug into the right hillside some 50 yards from the green function, in effect, as greenside bunkers for those trying to reach the green in two. 30 |
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
2
Hole PAR 4 ___________ 341 YARDS
The second is a classic strategic hole where the player who is confident enough to venture toward the unseen can be rewarded with a chance for an eagle. However, the large bunkers the player must carry, a small bunker right of the green, a sprawling bunker on the left that is not visible from the tee, and the narrowest green on the course ensure that there is plenty of risk associated with an attempt to drive the green.
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Erin Hills
3
Hole PAR 4 ___________ 498 YARDS
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2011 U.S. AMATEUR
The first long par 4 on the course, the third hole, completes a varied opening trio of holes. The diagonal carry over the wetlands and bunkers on the left threaten the tee shot, while the uphill approach to a two-level green dares the player to challenge the hazards on the left. Consider the different backdrops for the first three greens: the first green jutting out into a wetland, the second green with the openness of the third hole beyond and the third green set into a hillside.
4
Hole PAR 4 ___________ 450 YARDS
The fourth could be the most demanding hole on the course. The fairway is flanked by a hillside of healthy rough on the left and a menacing bunker on the right that juts into the fairway. The large central bunker will force many players who miss the fairway to leave themselves a long third shot. With the shallow green, the front bunker and the wetlands just beyond the green, the approach is the most demanding iron a player will be asked to play all day.
Erin Hills
5
Hole PAR 4 ___________ 495 YARDS
With its fairway flowing over the natural contours and the surrounding openness, the fifth hole perhaps best captures the character of Erin Hills. In preparation for the U.S. Amateur, the rough left of the front-left greenside bunker has been reduced to fairway height to allow a player to bounce in his approach shot from the left.
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6
Hole PAR 3 ___________ 236 YARDS
With its large green and apparent lack of defenses surrounding it, the sixth at first seems to be a breather. While it is true that a score of worse than 4 is unlikely, a 3 is well-earned. With the westerly prevailing wind from behind and a false front followed by a green sloping away from the player, getting close to a hole location on the front half of the green is especially challenging.
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Erin Hills
8
Hole PAR 4 ___________ 487 YARDS
With its right-to-left dogleg and left-toright slope of the fairway, the eighth is the tee shot where a player who has the ability to shape his shots at will (in this case, from right to left) holds the biggest advantage at Erin Hills. With the front bunkers and shallow green, the approach favors the player who can bring the ball in with a high trajectory, although the rise at the back of the left half of the green provides a helpful backstop.
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2011 U.S. AMATEUR
7
Hole
PAR 5 ___________ 617 YARDS
This rolling three-shotter plays past the bell that was used to give the all-clear for the former Dell Hole. Three bunkers in front and on the left visually dominate the approach, but the false front on the right is perhaps the bigger challenge. As with several greens at Erin Hills (the third, 10th and 14th), the seventh green steps down from side-to-side, a change from many two-level greens that have front and back levels.
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Erin Hills
9
Hole PAR 3 ___________ 134 YARDS
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2011 U.S. AMATEUR
After a series of big holes, the short and precise ninth comes as a jolt to the player. With the elevated tee and exposure to the wind, club selection is a challenge. The green is a bit of a mirror-image Redan, with its angle and slope from left to right. The treacherous back-left bunker is key as it is not visible from the tee and many players whose tee shots looked good in the air walk away with 5 or worse after finding this bunker.
10
Hole PAR 4 ___________ 524 YARDS
Despite the blind tee shot, the expansive fairway encourages the player to open his shoulders off the tee. To give himself a reasonable approach to this shallow green that is heavily bunkered on the right, the player needs to hit his tee shot down the hill that starts some 320 yards from the green. However, the closely mown area right and behind the green can be used to work the ball with a longer club toward the hole.
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Erin Hills
11
Hole PAR 4 ___________ 458 YARDS
The 11th has perhaps the most visually intimidating tee shot on the course, as the player cannot see the sunken landing area. Interestingly, the 11th is the last stout par 4 until the 17th, as the inward nine presents a variety of unique challenges.
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2011 U.S. AMATEUR
12
Hole PAR 4 ___________ 432 YARDS
With its wild topography and partially hidden green, the 12th hole showcases the minimalist approach the architects took to build Erin Hills. The tee shot must reach the plateau to afford a reasonable approach to the green set in a hollow. With a rare wind from the east or for the especially long players, the tee shot that flirts with the right side can go down the hill and leave just a pitch.
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Erin Hills
13
Hole PAR 3 ___________ 188 YARDS
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The 13th is a rendition of the classic hill-to-hill par 3. In this case, the player’s eyes are drawn to the expansive bunker left of the green, to which a swale in the left side of the green directs balls. However, the fall-aways short right and behind the green cannot be ignored or looked at as safe places to miss the green.
14
Hole PAR 5 ___________ 586 YARDS
The 14th is a gambling par 5 where fortune does in fact favor the bold. Here the player who lays up faces an awkward third, where the pitch is a nearly blind approach to a green that runs away from that angle. The player who goes for the green with his second shot certainly faces his share of trouble, such as the thick rough short of the green, the severe false front of the green, a cavernous front-right bunker and a river right of the green.
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Erin Hills
15
Hole PAR 4 ___________ 370 YARDS
The 15th presents several options – lay up short of all the bunkers, place the tee shot in the middle of the bunkers or have a go at the green itself. The sharp drop-off right of the green encourages the player to favor the center or left of the green with his pitch, but the spine that extends from the hillside into the green provides a challenging two-putt for a player on the wrong side of the green.
16
Hole PAR 3 ____________ 197 YARDS
This narrow, angled green is nestled against the hillside on its left. At first glance, one might think that left is a good place to miss the green, in that the hill should kick balls down toward the green. However, there are bunkers at the base of that hill that the golfer cannot see from the tee that will catch a ball trying to find the green off the hillside. 44 |
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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Erin Hills
17
Hole PAR 4 ___________ 509 YARDS
With the green tucked behind a hill on the left, a tee shot down the right provides a clear view of the green while one down the left leaves a blind or partially blind approach. Like the first hole, the 17th does not need greenside bunkering, as the natural terrain provides plenty of challenge.
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2011 U.S. AMATEUR
18
Hole PAR 5 ___________ 675 YARDS
Erin Hills closes with a long par 5 that lines up with Holy Hill in the distance. The player must fight his natural tendency to play directly toward the green and must force himself to play his second shot well to the right. The cluster of bunkers short of the green visually dominates the approach, but the player needs to take care not to miss the green to the left, where the closely mown area will propel the ball well away from the green. 2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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Blue Mound
– PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL HUNDLEY –
History Making History at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club
B
lue Mound Golf & Country Club was formed in 1903 by a group of Milwaukee businessmen who had become enamored with the fledgling game of golf. In 1926, the club moved to its current property in Wauwatosa. From day one, the new facility offered two exceptional amenities: a challenging championship golf course designed by renowned architect Seth Raynor, a protege of C.B. Macdonald, who has been called “the father of American golf course architecture,” and a sprawling clubhouse reminiscent of an English Cotswold-style manor house. The course and clubhouse opened on Memorial Day 1926, and they remain largely unchanged, except the outward and inward nines have since been switched. The new Blue Mound was quickly recognized as one of America’s finest golf facilities. It hosted Wisconsin’s first major championship, the 1933 PGA Championship, won by Gene Sarazen. “The Squire,” as Sarazen was known, beat Willie Goggin, 5 and 4, in the match-play final and won the hefty sum of $1,000. (Spectators were charged 55 cents for daily admission to the tournament.) Blue Mound, which is a private club,
has held an array of major golf events in the decades since, including the 1940 Women’s Western Open, in which Mildred “Babe” Didrikson defeated Blue Mound member Lucille Mann in the title match. And one of Milwaukee’s early professional tournaments, the 1955 Miller High Life Open, was held at the club. The tournament, recognized as a PGA Tour sanctioned event, was won by Dr. Cary Middlecoff over the likes of Sam Snead, Julius Boros, Tommy Bolt and Doug Ford. Blue Mound Golf & Country Club also has hosted the Wisconsin State Amateur Championship on 10 occasions, including five times at its current location. The last of those was played in 2003. More recently, Blue Mound hosted the 2010 Western Junior Championship, won by Indiana native Patrick Rodgers. The 2011 U.S. Amateur Championship will be the first United States Golf Association championship held at Blue Mound. The par-70, 6,622yard course will host stroke-play qualifying along with Erin Hills in Erin, with all contestants playing one 18-hole round on each course. Once the 64-player match-play field is set, all matches to determine the champion will be held at Erin Hills.
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1
Blue Mound
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 398 YARDS
TWO-SHOT REDAN
Blue Mound is a classic golf course that challenges players with strategically placed bunkers and a diverse set of greens. The design of the architect, Seth Raynor, invites the player to develop a plan for each shot and rewards precise iron play. The flat-bottomed bunkers with steep grass faces are characteristic of Raynor courses.
2
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 415 YARDS
All Raynor holes have design elements from famous golf holes throughout the world. The Plateau hole features a green with multiple levels, rewarding the player for placing the approach shot on the appropriate plateau. 50 |
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
PLATEAU
3
Hole
PAR 3 __________ 220 YARDS
ALPS
BIARRITZ The Biarritz hole is modeled after a long par 3 at the famous Biarritz spa in France. It features a valley in the fairway in front of the green that can influence the shot from the tee. At some Raynor courses, this valley is part of the green.
4
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 387 YARDS
The original Alps hole at Prestwick Links in Scotland featured a high hill in the fairway resulting in a blind shot to the green. At Blue Mound, cross bunkers in front of the green have been substituted for the hill.
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Blue Mound
5
ROAD HOLE
Hole
PAR 5 __________ 492 YARDS
Blue Mound’s fifth hole is Raynor’s tribute to the Road hole at St. Andrews in Scotland. Gene Sarazen closed out Willie Goggin to win the 1933 PGA Championship at Blue Mound on this hole.
STRATEGY
6
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 309 YARDS 52 |
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
Strategy on the tee is required on this short par 4 to avoid the fairway bunkers. Long hitters may be tempted to try to drive the green while avoiding the front greenside bunker. Putting can be challenging on the two-level green.
7
Hole
PAR 3 __________ 167 YARDS
SHORT All Raynor courses have a short par 3. Most are downhill to an island green surrounded by bunkers. Blue Mound’s hole descends into the Menomonee River valley.
PUNCHBOWL
8
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 445 YARDS
On this long, uphill par 4, a player is rewarded for hitting a shot into the punch bowl that surrounds the green by having the ball funnel onto the putting surface.
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Blue Mound
9
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 374 YARDS
RAVINE The finishing hole of the first nine crosses the creek that meanders through the course and returns to the clubhouse. It offers the best view of Blue Mound’s Cotswold-style clubhouse, built in 1926, with its Lannon stone exterior and slate roof.
10
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 443 YARDS
In the early part of the 20th century, a design contest was published in British Country Life. Raynor selected one of the prize winners for this long par 4. The hole’s challenging green is distinguished by its multiple tiers and undulations.
PRIZE 54 |
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11
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 382 YARDS
CAPE The original Cape hole at the National Golf Links of America on Long Island, N.Y., features a green that juts out into a body of water. The Blue Mound Cape is built on a terrace which appears to be jutting out into midair with bunkers substituting for water.
HOG’S BACK
12
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 480 YARDS
The drive is over a pond and onto a crowned fairway. Stepped bunkers in the hillside left of the fairway frame the vista from the tee. The hole demands a straight drive and a long second shot.
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Blue Mound
13
Hole
PAR 3 __________ 181 YARDS
REDAN
The most copied par 3 worldwide is the Redan, based on the 15th at North Berwick in Scotland. The Redan refers to the large mound on the right side of the green that hides the largest bunker on the course and that influences the slope of the green.
14
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 416 YARDS
The drive on the 14th is uphill out of the river valley and is Blue Mound’s only blind tee shot. Bunkers right and left of the green protect a variety of hole locations.
VALLEY 56 |
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
15
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 410 YARDS
LEVEN
POND The two bunkers on the right side of the fairway should be avoided on the drive. The undulating green is sloped from back to front and is particularly steep in the front quadrant.
16
Hole
PAR 4 __________ 355 YARDS
The Leven hole is modeled after the seventh hole of the Leven Links course in Scotland. The best approach shot is from the left to avoid the bunker which protects the right side of the front of the green.
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Blue Mound
17
Hole
PAR 3 __________ 190 YARDS
EDEN The Eden hole is modeled after the 11th at St. Andrews. The green is protected by a bunker in the front, by the “Hill” bunker on the left (named for its steep face) and by the “Eden” bunker in the rear.
18
Hole
PAR 5 __________ 558 YARDS
LONG 58 |
2011 U.S. AMATEUR
The finishing hole is the longest on the course. The fairway features cross bunkers and additional bunkers left and right short of the green. The green includes two ridges running from back to front that can deflect approach shots and putts.
THANK YOU to the Friends of Erin Hills who made free admission possible for the first time since 1997:
Baird, M&I and Artisan Partners
USGA/STEVEN GIBBONS
There’s Always Something New to Learn IT TAKES A SPECIAL SKILL SET AND DRIVE TO BECOME A PROFICIENT USGA RULES OFFICIAL B Y DA NIEL H UB B A RD, US GA
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n 2010, the Rules of Golf received an unusual amount of attention. Several on-course incidents at professional tournaments involving high-profile players such as Dustin Johnson, Juli Inkster and Ian Poulter made national headlines and spawned ongoing discussion and debate among players, fans and commentators. While these rules incidents involved professional players, they were 60 |
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no more important to the player involved than the thousands of oncourse Rules situations that arise over the course of a year in other formal golf competitions. In each case, the decision can affect the outcome of the competition as well as the future Above, Martha Lang and USGA President Jim Hyler, both USGA Rules officials, walk the course at the 2010 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.
success of a player – one who has often invested significant time and effort in pursuing the path of golf success. With the exception of Local Rules and Conditions of Competition, all on-course rulings in the United States are drawn from the Rules of Golf – the regulatory foundation of competitive golf and indeed of all play. The United States Golf Association, in conjunction with the Royal & Ancient in St. Andrews, Scotland, writes, interprets and maintains the Rules of Golf in order to uphold the tradition and integrity of the game. The two organizations are joint authors and owners of two well-known publications: the Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf. The latest version of the Rules of Golf went into effect Jan. 1, 2008, with the next revision scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2012. In USGA championship play, the Rules of Golf are administered by a team of on-site officials, most of whom are highly-trained volunteers who have served the game for years. The configuration of officials varies depending on the size of the championship field, but typically one official – known as a referee – accompanies each playing group on the course. Referees are supported by two roving officials and a pace of play official. The on-course team works in concert with scoring officials in the clubhouse, and the entire operation is overseen by one or more senior officials who also act as roving officials to help render rulings if needed. It’s hard to get to a more senior position in the world of golf officiating
than Clyde Luther. At 81, the former United Airlines pilot from Burke, Va., has worked at more than 115 USGA championships, beginning with the U.S. Junior Amateur in 1982. “Education and on-course experience are the keys to being a good Rules official,” says Luther, who estimates that he has attended more than 50 USGA/PGA of America Rules of Golf workshops as either a student or instructor. “There is always something new to learn.” Gail Rogers agrees. Like Luther, Rogers is a veteran Rules official, having worked dozens of USGA championships since 1992. As the former director of education for the Northern California Golf Association, she was responsible for supervising rules education efforts for the organization’s 200 volunteers. Now a member of the association’s board of directors, she chairs the Education Committee. “Officiating is a big responsibility, and strong knowledge of the Rules of Golf is absolutely critical,” she says. “Your rulings can impact the future success of a player who has worked very hard to be in a position to succeed.” Like all Rules officials, Sarah Haas takes her education responsibilities quite seriously. A member of the USGA’s Women’s Committee and director of junior golf programs at Crab Orchard Golf Club in her hometown of Carterville, Ill., she keeps extra copies of the Decisions of the Rules of Golf on hand for reference purposes. “I’ve even got one in my car,” she says with a laugh. “I check on specific decisions in my spare time because when you are in the middle of offici2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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ating a championship there’s no time to do so. There are intricacies involved and you need to know what you are talking about.” Most USGA Rules of Golf officials attend at least one rules workshop a year – often more – to stay current with both general knowledge and recent rulings. They travel frequently, often working long hours to complete their officiating duties. A variety of challenges go with the job, and each official weighed in on one underlying aspect of the task. “Having a high level of confidence is one of them,” says Luther. “You’ve got to be sure of your abilities and unafraid to convey what you know regarding a rule to a player or caddie. I had to tell Tiger Woods at one of his last amateur championships that he was going to incur a penalty because his ball was lying directly on top of a marked hazard line defined as an environmentally sensitive area, which meant he was required to take relief in the form of a one-stroke penalty. “It was not the answer he wanted to hear and I remember the look he gave me. But I knew I was right and I had the confidence to handle the situation correctly.” “Weather!” chimes in John Reis, executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Golf Association and a volunteer at more than 45 USGA championships. “At the 1994 U.S. Junior Amateur, the Rules volunteers were enlisted to squeegee greens and pump out flooded bunkers. I had no idea that was part of the job description. When it’s raining sideways at 30 miles an hour you wonder what the 62 |
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heck you are doing out there, but somehow you get through it.” “Demeanor and clarity,” says Haas. “As an official you have to establish a good rapport with players while at the same time being very precise when explaining a rule or a player’s options to them. There are often younger players and international players at championships who are not well versed in the rules or have a language barrier that prevents them from fully understanding what’s going on. It’s your responsibility as an official to have an open dialog and to be extremely clear in your communications, so player and caddie both know the implications of their choices in a given situation.” “Officiating is also a balancing act,” adds Rogers. “I call it visible invisibility. You want to be visible and helpful to players and caddies when they need your assistance, but invisible to them at most other times during their round. You don’t want players feeling like you are in their back pocket. You need to evaluate and base your actions on what player needs may or may not be at any given moment.” While challenges are part of any job – and perhaps there are more of them when officiating an important championship – these Rules officials agree that the benefits are many. “Without a doubt, the friendships I’ve formed have been the best part of volunteering as a Rules official,” says Reis. “We all check our egos at the front gate, work together as a team to produce a professionally run championship, and we have a lot of fun along the way. These are my best friends
COURTESY OF USGA?ARCHIVES
USGA Rules officials Frank Hannigan, center, and Joseph C. Dey Jr., right, help eventual runner-up Richard Sykes with a difficult situation at the 1963 U.S. Amateur.
out here on the course with me.” Luther agrees. “The camaraderie between officials helps form a team that communicates well with each other and ultimately produces a well-run championship,” he says. Haas finds special satisfaction in helping young golfers. “When I spend time helping junior players to understand the Rules, whether it’s at my club or at the local high school where I coach, I really feel like I am making them better players. We do situational teaching to help players understand that the Rules aren’t just there to penalize. By knowing them, you can save strokes and elevate your overall game. And when I see that knowledge reflected in a young player at a USGA championship – whether it’s somebody I
taught or not – it’s pretty gratifying.” For Rogers, the opportunity to be up close in a competition interacting with great players is both exciting and rewarding. “I love what I do and tell others that the satisfaction I get from volunteering in this manner is tremendous. I encourage anyone with interest in officiating to go for it. Start at the local or state level, work hard, and you’ll be surprised at how far you can go.” “And don’t forget the courses,” says Haas. “We get to work at some of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses in the country. It’s hard not to stand out there at the end of a long day and realize how fortunate you are.” Fortunate, indeed, as are the players and all the others who benefit from the enthusiasm and dedication shown by this special group of USGA volunteers. 2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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USGA/JOHN?MUMMERT
Rethinking Turfgrass Water Requirements USGA INITIATIVES HELP REDUCE USAGE, WITH RESULTING ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC BENEFITS B Y TH E U S GA GREEN S ECTIO N STA FF
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hat is the single most important element that golf course turf needs? If you answered water, you are correct. Whether it falls from the sky or is applied via a sprinkler, turfgrass and all green plants need water to survive and to thrive. In his address at the 2011 United States Golf Association Annual Meet-
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ing, President Jim Hyler said, “A longstanding USGA commitment, through its agronomy and turfgrass research efforts, is to make golf courses partners in the environmental community. Providing a blueprint for the sustainability of golf courses continues to be a high priority for the USGA.” Chief among these priorities is the
prudent and sustainable use of water, which is both good for the game and good for the environment. Through its Green Section, the USGA has long been concerned about turfgrass water requirements and their impact on golf courses and the environment. Several initiatives have been undertaken through the years to study the relationship between turf, water and the game of golf. These efforts include scientific research studies and educational outreach to golfers and golf course superintendents, which have led to improved playing conditions and increased enjoyment. Turfgrass water use Some people have long considered turfgrass and golf courses in general to be gluttons for water. Not so, says Dr. James B. Beard, chief scientist of the International Sports Turf Institute. “It is incorrect to assume that turfgrasses use an excessive amount of water,” Beard said. “That is not what we find in nature. What type of plant material do we find growing in the high-rainfall areas of the world? Trees, as in the rainforests of Asia and South America. What kind of plants do we find growing in semi-arid parts of the world? Grasses – as in the savanna and veld regions of South America and Africa.” A 2009 survey of golf courses by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Environmental Institute for Golf estimated that golf courses consume one-half of one percent of the total fresh water used in the United States.
Although this is a low amount, irrigating a golf course is a very visible use of water and draws significant scrutiny from communities, especially those facing water shortages. One strategy employed by superintendents and supported by the USGA is reducing irrigation in out-of-play areas. “Approximately 60 percent of the total golf course acreage is rough,” said Pat Gross, director of the Green Section Southwest Region. “This presents a tremendous opportunity to focus water applications on primary playing areas, such as greens, fairways and tees, while encouraging courses to let the rough be rough.” There is also an obvious economic incentive for courses to use less water. “In addition to the cost of the water itself, there is an energy cost associated with every gallon that is pumped and applied to the golf course,” said Chris Hartwiger, senior agronomist in the Green Section Southeast Region. “There can be significant savings in both water and electricity costs for courses that use less water.” Drought-tolerant grasses Another strategy to conserve water resources is planting grasses that require less water and are welladapted to drought conditions. Since 1983, the USGA has funded more than 400 turfgrass and environmental research projects, with nearly 40 percent of the studies devoted to water use and the development of grasses that require less water. “Some of the turfgrass breeding projects have focused on expanding 2011 U.S. AMATEUR
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the range of adaptation of naturally low-water-use grasses, such as bermudagrass, so that they can be used successfully in cooler climates,” said Dr. Mike Kenna, director of the USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program. “Other projects have focused on improving the heatand drought-tolerance of commonly used grasses, such as creeping bentgrass, tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Seashore paspalum and inland saltgrass are examples of grass species that can be irrigated with seawater and have been developed through the USGA research program.” The benefits of the research program reach beyond the boundaries of the golf course. Although the focus has been to develop grasses that improve playing quality on the course, many of the grasses developed from USGA research are widely used for sports fields, parks, roadsides and residential lawns. Matching turf with recycled water Irrigating with recycled water is a prudent and sustainable practice used on many golf courses today. To some, there may still be a “yuck factor” associated with using treated recycled water; however, the extensive root system and thatch layer found in turf has the ability to filter contaminants from the water and protect the underlying aquifer and adjoining bodies of water. Two of the common contaminants associated with recycled water are sodium and soluble salts, both of 66 |
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which are detrimental to turf and difficult for superintendents to deal with when managing plants. Successfully manipulating this situation typically requires additional aeration management to promote water movement through the soil, and occasionally soaking the turf to dilute the salts and flush the contaminants beyond the root zone. Another emerging issue is pharmaceutical and personal-care products that are often detected in recycled water, causing harm to fish and wildlife when discharged directly into surface waters. Preliminary studies conducted in Arizona, Nevada and California, all of which were partially funded by the USGA, indicate that turf is very effective at filtering these contaminants and protecting wildlife. Is it possible to produce high-quality playing conditions at courses that use
USGA PHOTO
recycled water? The answer is a resounding yes. Just ask Torrey Pines Golf Course, Pebble Beach Golf Links and The Olympic Club – all U.S. Open venues – to name a few of the roughly 12 percent of golf courses nationally that use recycled water as a source for irrigation. Smart irrigation practices The technology available for precise irrigation of golf courses has advanced substantially over the past 25 years. Tools commonly in use today include computerized irrigation control systems, on-site weather stations, moisture sensors and hand-held computers. There are even smartphones that allow superintendents to activate any sprinkler on the golf course and make adjustments to the nightly watering schedule. Modern golf course irrigation sys-
tems are powerful and sophisticated, and they provide the opportunity to save thousands of gallons of water each night if properly programmed and monitored. Even golf courses that don’t have the budget for the latest irrigation system do have the capability to carefully manage their water applications by hand-watering critical hot spots for more efficient water use. A commonly used best management practice is irrigating in a site-specific manner rather than risking over-irrigation of large areas of the property. “Carefully controlling water applications is a main focus of USGA championship preparation,” said Kimberly Erusha, Ph.D., managing director of the Green Section. “Green Section agronomists use a variety of tools, including hand-held moisture meters and firmness testing devices, as they work with superintendents in the months leading up to a championship to achieve firm and fast conditions while protecting the turf.” Green Section agronomists frequently share information about wise water usage during on-site Turf Advisory Service visits across the country, which allow superintendents, course officials, and golf courses to benefit from their knowledge and experience. Factors such as proper positioning of irrigation heads, nozzle selection, proper hand-watering techniques and the perceptions of quality playing conditions versus color are all areas that can be fine-tuned to help better manage water use.
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