TriStateGolfer-USOpen 2013

Welcome to The Talamore Family of Clubs

Lead designer Michael Nicklaus continued the great architectural heritage of the Nicklaus name with the design of Applecross Country Club. The layout at Applecross is unlike any other in the area, offering classic Nicklaus challenges yet remaining playable for golfers of all abilities. The course blends magnificently into a landscape that boasts breathtaking views of sparkling lakes and rolling Chester County countryside.

COUNTRY CLUB

The course at Talamore is one of breathtaking views and exciting shots. This championship layout was voted the Pennsylvania-East Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association for 2011. Talamore was also ranked Top 24 in Pennsylvania in 1999 and one of the Best New Private Courses in the Country by Golf Digest when it opened in 1995. Talamore is most known for its visually stimulating and unique-to the-area “Low Country” feel with its expansive wetlands and beautiful native areas.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Talamore Country Club weaves the elegance and romance of a twentieth Century Scottish-style Manor Estate into the cutting edge style and sophistication of today. Talamore’s unique setting, extraordinary services and amenities, and experienced, caring staff will make your wedding, the wedding you have always dreamed of, come true. There is No Place Like Our Place. We sincerely invite you to make it yours.

Michael Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus

Four Amazing Clubs - One Membership

Acclaimed by many to be one of Arnold Palmer’s greatest designs, the Mid South Club weaves through a variety of natural pine forest settings, native wetlands and stunning lakes. Pinehurst Magazine recognized the Mid South Club as the #1 Private Club in the Sandhills area. The awardwinning Mid South Clubhouse features breathtaking views of the 9th, 18th and 19th holes. The golf course and its challenges are quite worthy of America’s Top 100 Course ranking by the web site GolfLink.com

Talamore Golf Resort features 36 great holes designed by two legends – Rees Jones and “The King” Arnold Palmer. Named as one of the Best New Courses in America when it opened, the Talamore Resort Course is rated 4.5 Stars by Golf Digest’s Places to Play and named in America’s Top 100 Courses by Golflink.com. Pinehurst Magazine currently recognizes Talamore as One of the Top Resort Courses in the Sandhills area. Talamore is also home to the world-famous llama caddies.

Amenities

No matter the activity - golf, tennis, swimming, fitness, socials or dining - The Talamore Family of Clubs have it all. There truly is something for everyone. In addition to the best golf experience in the area, we offer indoor and outdoor Resort-style pools, Jacuzzi’s and kiddie pool complexes, perfect for refreshing dips and relaxation. Our fitness-conscious Members work out in our state-of-the-art fitness centers complete with the latest Cybex and Life-Fitness strength training and cardio equipment. Tennis courts are available for an energetic match with friends.

Arnold Palmer

Freddy & Dollie Llama

Rees Jones

tri-state golfer

20 WELCOME TO THE 2013 U.S. OPEN National championship to be contested in our own backyard

24 HOW WILL MERION HOLD UP?

Two opposing viewpoints on the matter

44

TOP 10 SPOTS TO WATCH THE OPEN Prime locations to maximize your time at Merion

28 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Catching up with the victorious 2009 U.S. team

50 MERION LOGO

“The greatest logo in golf”

34 18 PUNISHING PLACES PLAYERS MUST AVOID

We identify Merion’s danger zones

55 STU INGRAHAM

Former PGA Tour player’s thoughts on Merion and competing in major championships

PHOTO

TRI-STATE GOLFER MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER

JOE BURKHARDT

ADVERTISING SALES

(Eastern PA / NJ / DE / MD)

JOE BURKHARDT 610.755.8767 tristategolf@gmail.com

STAFF WRITER NATE OXMAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS GREG BALL ALYSON BOXMAN LEVINE ART STRICKLIN

SPECIAL AUTOGRAPH SECTION

Collect signatures from your favorite U.S. Open golfers

78 - 79

60

‘U.S. OPENS ARE NOT FUN.’ West Chester resident Jim Masserio competed in six U.S. Opens

64

DISSECTING MERION

Merion’s 18 holes analyzed by golf professionals

GRAPHIC DESIGN/ART DIRECTION

GARO YEPREMIAN JR. —GAROJRDESIGN.COM—

CONTRIBUTING ASSOCIATIONS

THE BAUSCH COLLECTION AT MYPHILLYGOLF.COM

BIONDI MEDIA THE PGA TOUR PHILLYGOLFFILES.COM USGA www.tristategolfer.com

COVER PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE USGA

PO BOX 341

DREXEL HILL, PA 19026

Tri-State Golfer is published quarterly with issues in January, April, July, and October.

Tri-State Golfer is a complimentary magazine available at public and private courses throughout the tri-state area.

Any opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher or Tri-State Golfer Magazine. The information in this issue was accurate at the time of publication. All should be confirmed with the golf facility before making tee times and reservations.

76

OUIMET’S U.S. OPEN VICTORY, A CENTURY AGO

Upset winner changed the game of golf

82 THE 19TH HOLE

We tour the plethora of local hot-spots

90 U.S. OPEN SPECTATOR GUIDE

Everything you’ll need to enjoy your experience

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

Welcome To The 2013 U.S. Open

By Nate Oxman STAFF WRITER

Welcometo the 2013 U.S. Open!

Our national championship will be contested right here in our very own backyard! We’re obviously excited to be able to do our little part to help you prepare for the biggest golf event in the tri-state area in what seems like forever. We know you’ve been bombarded with stories from all types of media detailing the unparalleled history of Merion Golf Club. By now you’re very familiar, probably too familiar, with what Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino and David Graham accomplished at Merion. You know about the wicker baskets, the white faces and the “back five.” So we we’re not going to give you all that good stuff in this guide. We’ve attacked this Open from a totally different angle and given you a preview that’s totally unique

and, we hope, totally interesting.

Our main feature, in our humble opinion, turned out phenomenally. We found 18 golf professionals, all local Philadelphia Section PGA pros, other than former Merion GC Assistant Chandler Withington, who understandably couldn’t turn down an offer to take the reigns at famed Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota, to discuss how those other pros will tackle Merion. Each pro picked a hole and gave us just awesome insight into how he thinks it will play in the Open. We’re eager to hear what you think. Our other features include a profile of Applebrook Golf Club Teaching Professional Jim Masserio, a former PGA Tour player, who competed in both the 1971 and 1981 U.S. Opens

at Merion, a tapping into the mind so to speak of MGOLF Driving Range & Learning Facility Stu Ingraham to find out just what it’s like to compete in a major championship, a story on the origin of Merion’s iconic emblem courtesy of Merion’s Pro Emeritus Bill Kittleman, and in-depth descriptions including photos of the top 10 spots to spend the day at Merion and 18 punishing places, one on each hole, those in the field must avoid at all costs. Take some time to thumb through all of that and a whole lot more.

But before you have a go at it, we’d be remiss if we didn’t allow our staff writer, Nate Oxman, to talk to you a little bit about what Merion means to him. After all, he’s spent more than half of his life at the place. Lucky him.

I’m pretty

sure my neverdadgave me a choice.

He signed me up to caddy at Merion while I was finishing up the final few months of eighth grade and that was that, which was just fine I guess because I didn’t really have an argument against it. I wasn’t going to be spending my spring and summer playing baseball because I didn’t play baseball. Well, I tried to play baseball. I just sucked so bad that I only lasted one year in little league. The bat barely left my shoulder and I had only two hits all season. I was a great tee ball player and was part of a dynasty in the Parent-Pitch league at Coopertown, at least that’s how I remember it. I could’ve been one of those kids who everyone felt so bad for that they let them run around the bases even after striking out. But I don’t think I started to stink until I started facing overhand pitching from my peers.

Anyway, since I didn’t have baseball to take up my nights and weekends, I had no choice but to start my distinguished career as a looper at age 14. For whatever reason, there wasn’t caddie school at Merion that year so my dad, a former looper himself, on the PGA Tour no less, told me to grab my golf bag one evening and to meet him in the backyard. He taught me the basics: to introduce myself on the first tee and clean the player’s clubs (I was a skinny little single caddie back then), where to put the bag down when I arrived at my player’s ball, where to stand after the player grabbed his club, etc. And of course he told me the three cardinal rules: show up, keep up and shut up.

Today’s caddies at Merion have it easy. They use a software program to set their availability for the week. The caddiemaster then assigns them tee times, which they receive via email and text, and the caddies show up an hour or so before their time.

For 12 years, I showed up at 6 a.m. every day, signed a list and waited around for hours and hours until my name was called over the loudspeaker in the caddie shack.

I remember that very first day at Merion I showed up at 6 a.m., waited until 3 p.m. and never heard a word from the caddiemaster. I was too shy to go up to the bag room to ask him whether or not I had a loop, so I just kept waiting. Finally my dad came by to check on me. As I was talking to him, the caddiemaster came waddling down toward the shack. My dad asked him If I could go home. He told my dad said that he was actually looking for a single caddie to join a group on the first tee. I grabbed a towel and headed out.

That was in the spring of 1995. I’ve left Merion here and there: to go away to college, when I worked full-time as a sports

writer/editor, but each time it has pulled me right back, which as caddies will tell you it tends to do.

Naturally I have some fantastic memories in nearly 20 years traversing Merion’s hallowed grounds: caddying in the 1998 U.S. Girls’ Junior as a junior in high school for a 14-year-old from Cerritos, Ca. named Young Pak, who shot a two-day total of 151 to earn one of the top qualifying spots for match play. We bonded right from the start. I especially enjoyed her take on reading putts: “What do you think? She would ask. Two cheeseburgers to the left?”

Pak was upset in the first round of match play, but stuck around for the week and our families spent a lot of time together. We had them to our house for dinner, played golf together, and walked the course to watch some of her friends who were still competing in the tournament. We stayed friends and wrote letters back and forth a few times before falling out of touch. She later played golf at UNLV.

While my buddies were making minimum wage working summer jobs through high school and college, I was saving a lot of cash. More importantly, however; I was learning a heck of a lot about life as the assortment of characters who comprised the caddie core was captivating. I’ll save those stories for another day, but use your imagination.

While the position of caddiemaster changed hands several times during the first 10 years or so that I was there, I succeeded under each, not so much because of my skill, but more because I was good at following those three rules: I showed up (and was

willing to wait until the last loop of the day to get out), I kept up, and I shut up.I worked hard and I never complained. After all, what was there to complain about? I was walking around one of the top golf courses in the world for four hours and getting paid for it.

After I graduated from Penn State in 2004 and was searching desperately for a full-time gig as a sports writer, I leaned on Merion to make a living. When I got that first gig, at a tiny independent community weekly in Philadelphia, I had to stay at Merion because the paper couldn’t afford to pay me.

That actually worked out well because the summer when Merion hosted the 2005 U.S. Amateur was ridiculously busy. I remember working 46 straight days before the tournament came in August, many times going to the newspaper in the morning and then looping in the afternoon. During the U.S. Amateur, I caddied for a kid named Bobby Bennett, who was then a member of the Purdue University men’s golf team. Bennett shot 78 at Merion and 72 at Philadelphia Country Club and missed the cut by four shots.

My U.S. Amateur experience was over. Or so I thought.

I’m not afraid to admit that I was 24 and living with my parents at the time. After spending a year in Manayunk with some friends and exhausting all of my loop money, I moved home about a month before the tournament because I was practically broke. The day after Bennett missed the cut I was supposed to go into the office at the newspaper. I was in the shower that morning when my mom knocked on the door. It was the caddie master at Merion. A caddie hadn’t shown up for his tee time so he was in desperate search for a replacement. Knowing that my parents lived just over a mile away, I was the first one he called. He told me to meet my group on the first green.

I left a message at the newspaper and hopped in my mom’s car. She dropped me off a block from the first hole where the caddiemaster was waiting in a golf cart. I hopped in and he drove me to the first green, where I met Kevin Chappell. I was still tying the bib his dad had just handed me (he was filling in until a replacement caddie arrived), when Chappell asked me to read his birdie putt, a long, slick, sweeping, downhill putt from the back right corner of the green to a front pin. I gave him a line. He made the putt and we were off. Chappell won that match in the round of 32, but lost that afternoon to Mark Leon, who made his own long bomb on 18 to win 1 up.

Chappell went on to win an NCAA individual title while at UCLA and an event on the Web.Com Tour, finished tied for third in the 2010 U.S. Open, 125th on the money list to grab the last tour card for this season and tied for 10th in the 2012 U.S. Open to earn a spot in the field at Merion. Maybe he’ll need an emergency replacement again. If so, I’ll be ready.

Looking back on how the club, the course and the caddie

operation has changed since I started in 1995, the differences are incredible. The changes made to the golf course in preparation for the ‘05 Amateur and for this Open have been discussed many times so I won’t mention those, but I do want to mention just how different some holes look today from when I started in ‘95. The fabulous par-3 third used to have a towering tree in front of the massive right-greenside bunker. I can still picture it. The seventh hole used to have a huge fairway bunker in the left rough and in front of that, a tall pine tree that protected the fourth tee. In between the 11th and 12th fairways, where a set of bunkers surrounded by fescue sit today, were an assortment of trees. The 13th tee used to be awesome. It actually featured two separate tees. When you walked across Ardmore Avenue after playing No. 12, you came to a lower tee that gave you the same look you see today. To the left was a set of stairs that led up to another tee, which gave a different look, allowing players to see a little more of the green. The uphill, dogleg-left 14th used to have an absolute beast of a bunker to the left of the green, where a fairway area and a large mound sit today. It really made hitting the green a must and, although it was brutal to rake, I loved it. There were other features here and there that have since been altered or removed, including the halfway house, which used to be a tiny hut in between the 11th tee and the 12th green, and now sits to the left of the 10th hole. Through all of those changes, though, the integrity of the golf course remains the same.

I’m now in my fifth season as an assistant caddiemaster at Merion. My first was in 2009 when Merion hosted the Walker Cup. Although I had to turn down an opportunity to caddie in the event, I did get to chauffeur Golf Channel Analyst and On-Course Reporter Kay Cockerill around the golf course on the weekend and feed her yardages before each time she went on air. That was yet another unforgettable experience I never would have had if my dad hadn’t signed me up as a caddie when I was 14.

Like every single one of you, I’m eager to see how the old course will hold up June 10-16. I hope she gives those guys all they can handle and then some and elicits discussion of when she’ll host the next Open soon after this one concludes. Maybe that’s wishful thinking, but then again, I’m a little partial. I hope you’ll forgive me.

And before I go, I have to say thanks to my dad for sending me to Merion to start my caddying career all those years ago. Happy Father’s Day, dad!

Enjoy,

Nate Oxman

how will merion hold up?

Veteran

Golf

Writer Art Stricklin

tells you why Merion will fend off the world’s finest...

Testing, tough trouble for the game’s best. Why Merion will challenge in 2013 Open

By Art Stricklin

The fact that veritable Merion Golf Club, the oldest of the main line clubs in Philadelphia, a historic gem and multiple U.S. Open site, is hosting the 2013 Open in June, should be celebrated by all true golf lovers, certainly not feared or scoffed.

The fact that the world’s best golfers will be facing this iconic layout, at a yardage less than 7,000 yards for the first time since Pebble Beach in 2000, at the same time that equally historic Murfield Golf Club is lengthening seven holes for the 2013 Open Championship, should hearten all of us golf history lovers.

It’s a glorious golfing throwback to decide our country’s national golf championship on one of the greatest American courses. That’s must watch TV or must see in-person viewing for sure!

All hail the innovative and risk taking United States Golf Association, certainly not two words usually associated with golf’s top American rules making body.

The reason that par 70 Merion, measuring at less than 7,000 yards from the championship tees at the U.S. Open will work, is that it will force every highly skilled and trained professional golfer to do what they dislike the most -- think on every shot at this year’s open.

Among the many things pro golfers are really, really good at is arriving at a course and in less than a day, in most cases, figuring out its strengths and weaknesses.

It’s a skill born from years of practice and familiarity of seeing the same type of courses week after week, year after year. Bomb here, gorge there, drive, chip, putt, birdie, move on.

But that will be far from the case at Merion this year. They will be challenged to reprogram their thinking, at least for one week, as they face the East Course’s intriguing mixture of long and short, easy and hard holes.

They will find out of bounds, in some case a local street, Ardmore Avenue to be exact, tantalizingly close especially on holes 2 and 7, along with plenty of thick rough, tight fairways and fast Merion greens.

There is plenty of challenge and more importantly prolonged thought to be had on every shot. The biggest thought will be should they leave the driver, the favorite club for most, in the bag for much of the tournament.

The big stick, in an era where most players are hitting it over 300 yards on a consistent basis, can get you in plenty of trouble at Merion East. The controlled 3-wood or (gasp!) iron, will be the smart weapon of choice off the tee at this year’s open.

But when you take most pros’ favorite, most-dependable or impressive club, out of their hand and force them to use something else, bad things can happen.

This is not the space to predict a Merion

winner, there will be other times for that, but the big hitters, the Bubba Watsons of the tour may have more struggles with balls in Merion’s tight places,

than with a bomber’s palace like Augusta National.

Merion will defend itself quite nicely off the tee and on the green, but especially on its brilliant collection of par 3s.

At the recent U.S. Open media day, USGA Executive Director Mike Davis said that three of Merion par 3s, 3 9 and 17, will be the toughest the U.S. Open faces on any course, anywhere, at any time. That’s pretty high praise, but justified when you consider the 17th hole over the quarry to a very unreceptive green or the tight third hole, both over 240 yards.

Of course, that’s not counting the short 115-yard 13th hole, which most players should be able to attack with a sand wedge. But what it has at Merion, along with so many holes here, is an almost living, walking dose of history.

It was at 13th, located right next to the Merion clubhouse that Ben Hogan, who once held a large lead in the final round of the 1950 Open, bogeyed the short hole to fall into a tie when it looked like the miracle comeback from his near fatal car/train accident would not happen.

According to the story relayed to me by outstanding Merion club historian John Capers III, after the 13th hole bogey, Hogan turned to his caddie, a local steel worker just imported for the week and said, “that’s it son. I can’t continue. My legs won’t allow it. I’m headed to the clubhouse and I will send somebody down with your payment for the week.”

Capers said the caddie, with a blunt honesty anybody in Philly can appreciate, replied, “Mr. Hogan. I don’t work for quitters and I will see you on the next tee,” before trudging onward.

The last major individual golf competition held at Merion was the 2005 U.S. Amateur. Capers said Merion members and other golf watchers are curious and a bit nervous how Merion would hold up to the latest crop of the game’s power hitters in the 21st century, but in two days of stroke play, the lowest score was 69 and the tournament was eventually won by Italy’s Edoardo Molinari without even once overpowering the course.

Merion has a wealth of living, breathing history from the shot over the “baffling brook” which sealed the U.S. Amateur victory and golfing grand slam in 1930 for Bobby Jones, to the immortal Hogan 1-iron shot at No. 18 with a plaque in the fairway commemorating the feat.

There will be green speeds at 13-14 on the Stimpmeter and tight, sloping fairways bordered by thick rough where a seemingly good shot will run through a landing zone and into the rough on many tee shots.

The fairways themselves will be between 24-29 yards wide, there have been a few new teeing grounds built, but the par 70 East Course has stood the test of time and certainly will continue in the 2013.

Those who don’t give Merion its proper request will find the golfing ghosts, tight conditions and speedy greens more than enough to give the best golfers fits.

From Jones to Hogan, Trevino to Graham, Merion has always been a worthy challenger to golf’s best and this year will be no exception.

how will merion hold up?

...while a PGA professional who wishes to remain anonymous tells you why Merion will fold

Mike Davis better be careful.

The grounds staff at Merion will undoubtedly have the golf course in superb condition. Then it will be up to Davis, the USGA’s executive director, to set up Hugh Wilson’s masterpiece somewhere between unfair and underwhelming.

I really, really hope Davis leans toward unfair. This is his chance to showcase Merion to the world, really, for the first time in over 30 years. If he succeeds, this may not be Merion’s last Open. If he fails, it’s bye-bye to one of the world’s best on the biggest of stages.

To succeed, Davis needs to make sure the entire field will be challenged right away in Thursday’s opener. He has to take any necessary precautions to ensure that someone doesn’t fire out of the gate with a 63. To do that, Davis must stretch Merion to the 6,996 yards that we’ve all heard about or at least really close to it. I know that the new back tee on No. 18 is downright diabolical at over 500 yards, with a forced carry over the quarry of 252 yards and another 11 yards to reach the fairway. But really? Will there be anyone in the field who won’t be able to handle that? I doubt it. Not in this day and age.

And even at that distance, most of the field will still be pulling 5 or 6 irons for their second shots. Yeah, they’ll have to hit a great shot or get a great bounce to make a birdie as this green is really stingy, but those who find the fairway and then the green should make par without a whole lot of trouble.

The long holes, like No. 18 from this tiny back tee, No. 5 with its elevated tee and impossible green, and No. 6 with its blind tee shot are long for you and I. But for those teeing it up June 10-16, they’re ordinary.

By now you know that Merion has only two par 5s. The first, the 556-yard second hole, is a short par 5 even though it plays uphill almost the entire way. Yeah, the fairway landing area is narrow, and that might keep some from pulling driver, but those who do and hit the fairway will have 240-250 yards left. A player could theoretically hit wedge-wedge on his next two shots and have a great look at birdie. Even those who hit 3-wood off the tee can hit a second shot between 180 and 200 yards and then flip a little wedge into the green and make birdie that way too.

The second par 5, the 628-yard fourth hole will wreak more havoc because the first piece of fairway, where drivers will land, is pitched so severely that many tee shots landing in the fairway will wind up rolling down into the left rough. That’s going to lead to some bogeys, but some of the field should figure out quickly that if they hit 3-wood on this par 5 too, they could make a relatively easy birdie. A 3-wood will finish in the flat portion of the fairway, leaving players hitting a hybrid or long iron on the layup shot and then a short iron on the approach.

The aforementioned fifth hole is listed at 504 yards. With a tee shot of 285-300 yards, players will have another mid-iron into the green, making one of the most difficult greens anywhere a little more manageable. I hope Davis makes this green especially slick to seriously test the field. If he does, this hole will be really hard and really fun to watch.

So the longs holes really shouldn’t play too long, even though Merion’s fairways don’t allow much roll, and there really aren’t that many long holes either. There are, however, a heck of a lot of short, birdie-friendly par 4s. Holes 1, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 16 will all be attacked mainly with wedges or short irons. That should lead to a lot of pin-seeking professionals and take away one of Merion’s greatest defenses--its greens. Having a wedge or short-iron for one’s approach will make it a lot more difficult to wind up past the pin, meaning there will be a lot more players making a run at a birdie putt rather than simply focusing on two-putting for par.

At 256 yards (No. 3), 236 yards (No. 9) and 246 yards (No. 17) Merion’s par 3s, save for the 115-yard 13th hole, will prove to be punishing and yield more bogeys than birdies, but I just don’t think that’s enough to contend with the overabundance of short par 4s.

Lastly, you’ve probably heard all about the “back five” at Merion, regarded by many as the best five finishing holes in golf, but I could see these holes really only cause harm to those who are struggling around the golf course. Those who are playing well will play these holes under par. The 14th will be tough because the second shot is blind and the green is really demanding, but the 15th and 16th are short par 4s at 411 yards and 430 yards respectively.

Yeah, the 15th will be one of the toughest driving holes on the course for those who actually choose driver, but those who lay back off the tee and find the fairway will have a chance to attack the pin. Players will definitely lay back No. 16 as the fairway runs out a little over 300 yards on the left side. A 3-wood will probably leave an 8-iron or 9-iron over the quarry to the dramatic twotiered green.

I’ve heard from so many that playing well in the U.S. Open is all about hitting fairways and greens. While some will surely struggle with this at Merion, most of the field is so good at hitting it straight with a club other than driver in hand that I think there will be a lot of players who put up some pretty low scores.

Rory McIlroy set the U.S. Open 72-hole scoring record of 16-under par at Congressional two years ago. That golf course was played at 7,574 yards, which made it the second-longest in U.S. Open history. Merion will play more than 500 yards shorter than that. Could the winner conceivably reach the 20-under mark? If conditions are soft, maybe so and that’s an “uh-oh” for Davis and Merion.

Photo courtesy of the USGA

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

Where Are They Now?

Catching up with the victorious 2009 U.S. Walker Cup Team

By Nate Oxman STAFF WRITER

AlthoughMerion Golf Club has hosted more USGA national championships than any other venue in the country, it hasn’t staged a U.S. Open in more than 30 years. It has, however provided the setting for some fantastic national amateur events, from Chris Patton’s improbably victory at the 1989 U.S. Amateur, where the self-taught 21-year-old from Fountain Inn, S.C. defeated four players who had won or would later go on to win a USGA

championship to Edoardo Molinari’s win at the 2005 U.S. Amateur thanks to seven birdies in his final 15 holes to the United States team’s convincing 16 ½ to 9 ½ victory over Great Britain & Ireland at the 2009 Walker Cup.

That last event, often referred to as the amateur version of the Ryder Cup, featured a loaded home team captained by Villanova resident and Merion GC member Buddy Marucci and yet again

BUD CAULEY

Age: 23

Birthplace: Daytona Beach, Fla.

Merion’s famed East Course allowed some of the world’s best to shine. And, particularly in regards to the victorious U.S. team, shine they did. But for many, the Walker Cup was just another stepping stone in a promising golf career that, for all but one content amateur, has advanced into the professional ranks. Let’s check in with the 10 members of that ‘09 U.S. Walker Cup squad as we welcome Merion’s 18th USGA national championship.

Residence: Hobe Sound, Fla.

Professional Status: Full-time player on PGA Tour

Pre-Walker Cup highlights: Was once ranked as the No. 1 junior in the country

Post-Walker Cup highlights: In 2011, Cauley became just the sixth player in the history of the PGA Tour to earn his card without having to attend Q-School.

Best PGA Tour finish: Third Place at 2011 Frys.Com Open, 2012 Wyndham Championship

Briefly…Just two years after posting a 3-0-1 record at the Walker Cup, Cauley was turning sponsors’ exemptions into top-10 finishes including a third-place finish at the 2011 Frys.Com Open and a tie for fourth at the Viking Classic. Cauley also made the cut at the U.S. Open that year at Congressional and earned a total of $735,150 in just eight starts. During Cauley’s first full year on tour last year, the University of Alabama alum netted six top-10s, most notably a third-place finish at the Wyndham Championship and a tie for fourth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Cauley earned $1,774,479 in 2012 and finished an impressive 44th on the money list. Cauley’s 2013 campaign has been up and down, with five missed cuts and four top-40 finishes, the best being a tie for 26th at the Shell Houston Open.

RICKIE FOWLER

Age: 24

Birthplace: Murrieta, Ca.

Residence: Jupiter, Fla.

Professional Status: Full-time player on PGA Tour

Pre-Walker Cup highlights: Was No. 1 amateur in the world from 2007 to 2008

Post-Walker Cup highlights: Qualified for 2010 PGA Tour via Q-School, won Rookie of the Year honors in 2010, finished tied for fifth at 2011 Open Championship

Best PGA Tour finish: Win at 2012 Wells Fargo Championship

Briefly…Anyone who watched Fowler roll to a 4-0 record at the Walker Cup, highlighted by a 7 & 6 shellacking of Sam Hutsby in afternoon singles on day one, could sense that they were watching a future star. Well, they were right. Fowler turned pro soon after and made his PGA Tour debut two months later at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, where he tied for seventh place. To top that, Fowler posted rounds of 65-64-69-64 one week later at the Frys.Com Open to finish tied for the lead, only to lose a three-way playoff to Troy Matteson. After earning his tour card for 2010, Fowler recorded two more runner-up finishes, at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the Memorial Tournament, and became the youngest player to ever participate in the Ryder Cup after Corey Pavin selected him with a captain’s pick. Fowler also nipped Rory McIlory for rookie of the year honors. His 2011 season included sharing the lead entering the final round of the AT&T National at nearby Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square before fading with a 74 to tie for 13th place, but bouncing back just two weeks later to tie for fifth at the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s. Fowler finally locked up his first PGA Tour victory at the Wells Fargo Championship in 2012, besting D.A. Points and Rory McIlory with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff. Fowler finished second a week later at The Players Championship and then fifth the next week at the Crowne Plaza Invitational. Three top-10s thus far in 2013 show Fowler’s game should be ready for golf’s toughest test.

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YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

BRENDAN GIELOW

Age: 25

Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Mich.

Professional Status: Mini-tour player

Residence: Jupiter, Fla.

Pre-Walker Cup highlights: Won the 2008 Northeast Amateur and 2009 Porter Cup

Post-Walker Cup highlights: Won the 2011 eGolf Professional Tour’s Cowans Ford Open

Best PGA Tour finish: Missed Cut at 2010 Wyndham Championship

Briefly…Gielow’s professional career has yet to match an impressive amateur campaign that included a successful four-year stint on the Wake Forest University men’s golf team, where he notched a pair of individual victories and the 2010 Byron Nelson Award given to a graduating senior who excels in the classroom, on the golf course and in his personal life. It was a fitting end to a fine collegiate career and senior year in particular that began with an appearance at Merion in the Walker Cup, where Gielow posted a 3-0 record. Since the Walker Cup, Gielow has seen both the highs and lows of professional golf. He shot rounds of 70-69, but missed the cut at the 2010 Wyndham Championship, earned his first professional victory at the 2011 eGolf Professional Tour’s Cowans Ford Open after firing rounds of 6466-65-70 and then missed the cut in all three of his starts on the Web.com Tour in 2012. Gielow has played in just one eGolf Professional Tour event this season, missing the cut at the Forest Oaks Classic after rounds of 72-73.

BRIAN HARMAN

Age: 26 Birthplace: Savannah, Ga. Residence: Sea Island, Ga.

Professional Status: Full-time player on PGA Tour

Pre-Walker Cup highlights: Won 2003 U.S. Junior, 2005 Players Amateur, 2007 Porter Cup, member of 2005 Walker Cup team and 2007 Palmer Cup team, finished T-71 at PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship Post-WalkerCuphighlights:Wonthe2010eGolfProfessionalTour’sManorClassic,earned2012PGA Tour card via 2011 Q-School, tied for fifth at The Barclays in 2012, finished 87th on 2012 money list Best PGA Tour finish: Tied for fifth at The Barclays in 2012

Briefly…So far Harman, who posted a Walker Cup record of 3-0-1, has done what so few elite junior golfers are unable to do: succeed at the higher level. The 5-foot-7 lefty went from junior golf phenom - he won the 2003 U.S. Junior at the age of 16 - to elite (and extended) amateur player - he played on two Walker Cup teams, won two prestigious national tournaments, and made the cut in a PGA Tour event - to PGA Tour member. Harman’s first full year on tour in 2012 featured eight top-20 finishes, highlighted by that tie for fifth at The Barclays, a tie for 11th at the AT&T National and a tie for 12th at the Honda Classic. Thus far in 2013, Harman has made the cut in six of his 11 starts with his best finish being a tie for 14th at the Tampa Bay Championship.

MORGAN HOFFMANN

Age: 23

Birthplace: Wyckoff, N.J.

Residence: Jupiter, Fla.

Professional Status: Full-time player on PGA Tour

Pre-Walker Cup highlights: Was No. 1 amateur player in the world in 2009

Post-Walker Cup highlights: Finished 19th on Web.com Tour money list to earn promotion to PGA Tour for 2013, tied for 29th at 2012 U.S. Open

Best PGA Tour finish: Tie for 14th at 2013 Puerto Rico Open

Briefly…Hoffman was yet another member of the U.S. team to finish the Walker Cup with a zero in the loss column. On day one he teamed with Brian Harman in morning foursomes on to take down Sam Hutsby and Wallace booth, 2 & 1, and then halved his afternoon singles match with Matt Haines. After sitting out the morning on day two, Hoffmann nipped Wallace Booth, 1 up, to finish the weekend with a mark of 2-0-1. Like Harman, the Walker Cup was Hoffmann’s second USGA event at Merion. He qualified for match play at the 2005 U.S. Amateur but lost in the first round of match play to Jay Choi of Korea. After the Walker Cup, Hoffmann qualified for, but then missed the cut at the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and then turned pro. He played in four PGA Tour events in 2011, finishing tied for 22nd at the RBC Canadian Open, qualified for the U.S. Open last year at The Olympic Club and tied for 29th while playing on the Web.com Tour. A tie for third at the Web.com Tour Championship vaulted Hoffmann to 19th on the money list and earned him his PGA Tour card for 2013.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

ADAM MITCHELL

Age: 26

Birthplace: Atlanta, Ga.

Residence: Atlanta, Ga.

Current status: Player on eGolf Professional Tour

Pre-Walker Cup highlights: Won the 2008 Porter Cup, played on 2008 and 2009 Palmer Cup teams

Post-WalkerCuphighlights:Haspostedeighttop-10finishesontheeGolfProfessionalToursince2010

Best PGA Tour finish: Hasn’t played in a PGA Tour event

Briefly…Since turning professional following the Walker Cup, where Mitchell went 1-2, he has mainly competed on the eGolf Professional Tour. After missing six cuts in 14 starts in 2010, Mitchell enjoyed a successful 2011 season on the former Tarheel Tour when he finished fourth twice and fifth twice, missed just three cuts and earned $45,642. Last season, Mitchell regressed, making eight of 14 cuts and placing in the top 10 just twice. So far in 2013, Mitchell has made five cuts in six starts, with his best showing being a tie for fifth at the Palmetto Hall Championship back in February. He’s made sporadic starts on the Web.com Tour, his best finish being a tie for 45th at the News Sentinel Open in 2011.

NATHAN SMITH

Age: 34

Birthplace: Brookville, Pa.

Current status: Amateur

Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Pre-Walker Cup highlights: Won 2003 U.S. Mid-Amateur, competed in 2004 Masters

Post-Walker Cup highlights: Won 2009, 2010 and 2012 U.S. Mid-Amateur, competed in 2010, 2011 and 2013 Masters

Best PGA Tour finish: Missed cut at Masters (’04, ’10, ’11, ’13)

Briefly…Like Harman and Hoffmann, Smith, who went 2-1 at the Walker Cup, also competed in the 2005 U.S. Amateur at Merion. He qualified for match play and won his first match before bowing out to eventual semifinalist J.C. Deacon in the round of 32. Nathan Smith, the only member of the Walker Cup team who remains an amateur, played in his fourth Masters back in April at Augusta National after earning an invitation by winning his record fourth U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2012. The win was also Smith’s third in the last four years, having won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. Smith’s first U.S. Mid-Am win came back in 2003. Smith has missed the cut in all four of his Masters appearances, including his first back in 2004. That year Smith was paired with Arnold Palmer in the first two rounds and needed to make a par at the 18th hole on Friday to make the cut. Unfortunately, he finished with a double bogie as he said he was just worried about staying out of the way of Palmer, who was playing in his 50th and final Masters.

CAMERON TRINGALE

Age: 25

Birthplace: Mission Viejo, Ca.

Current status: Full-time player on PGA Tour

Residence: Laguna Niguel, Ca.

Pre-Walker Cup highlights: Competed in 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black (missed cut)

Post-Walker Cup highlights: Earned his PGA Tour card via Q-School in 2009 and 2010, Best PGA Tour finish: Third at 2013 Tampa Bay Championship, recorded four top-10s in 2011 and earned over $1.3 million to keep his tour card, recorded four more top-10s in 2012 and totaled over $1.2 million in earnings to keep his card

Briefly…Luckily for Tringale, his performance at the Walker Cup, where he went 0-1-2, was in no way an indication of the career ahead of him. While Tringale’s professional career hasn’t been as hyped as say Rickie Fowler’s, it appears as though he has quietly settled in as a PGA Tour regular. After earning his tour card at Q-School in 2009, Tringale made just five cuts in 22 starts and was sent back to Q-School the following fall. Bucking the odds, Tringale qualified for the tour again, finishing fourth, and took full advantage in 2011, missing just nine cuts in 32 starts, recording four top-10s including a tie for fourth at The Greenbrier Classic and a tie for fifth at the Valero Texas Open. He finished the ’11 season 71st on the money list after earning over $1.3 million. Although Tringale’s 2012 season concluded by missing four cuts in his final five starts, he easily kept his tour card for the 2013 season by finishing 76th on the money list ($1,225,737). Helping his cause were four top-10 finishes, including a stretch of three straight in April at the Shell Houston Open (T-8), the Valero Texas Open (T-8) and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (T-7). Tringale’s 2013 campaign has included the aforementioned third-place finish in Tampa Bay and a tie for 16th in Houston.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PGA TOUR

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GOLF ASSOCIATION

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE EGOLF PROFESSIONAL TOUR

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

PETER UIHLEIN

Age: 23

Birthplace: New Bedford, Mass.

Residence: Orlando, Fla.

Current status: Playing mainly on European and European Challenge Tours

Pre-Walker Cup highlights: Advanced to second round of match play at 2008 U.S. Amateur

Post-Walker Cup highlights: Won 2010 U.S. Amateur and ended that season as the top-ranked amateur golfer in the world, competed in three of the four majors in 2011, making the cut and tying for 48th at the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s, member of 2011 Walker Cup team

Best PGA Tour finish: Tied for sixth at 2013 Puerto Rico Open

Briefly…Uihlein went 4-0 at the Walker Cup and fittingly notched the deciding point in the United States team’s victory when he won the 17th hole to close out Stiggy Hodgson, 3 & 1. For an encore, he won the 2010 U.S. Amateur, and after advancing to the quarterfinals in 2011, became the first player since Tiger Woods to reach the quarterfinals at the U.S. Amateur in three straight years. That 2010 U.S. Amateur victory came with invites to three of the four majors in 2011. Uihlein missed the cut at The Masters (72-77), turned in rounds of 71-71-75-75 to finish tied for 48th at the Open Championship and missed the cut at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach after rounds of 72-78. Uihlein turned pro late in 2011 and elected to attempt to start his career in Europe. In 2012 Uihlein competed in 15 events on the European Challenge Tour in 2012, making the cut in all but two and finishing in the top 10 five times, and six events on the European Tour. Thus far this year, Uihlein has continued to split his time between the two tours. He’s made two Challenge Tour starts and four European Tour starts, including the Tshwane Open where he finished fourth.

DREW WEAVER

Age: 23 Birthplace: Newport News, Va.

Residence: High Point, N.C.

Current status: Full-time player on eGolf Professional Tour

Pre-Walker Cup highlights: Won 2007 British Amateur, competed in 2007 Open Championship, 2008 Masters, finished tied for 40th at 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black Post-Walker Cup highlights: Won three times on eGolf Professional Tour: 2012 Willow Creek Open, 2012 Southern Open, 2010 Caddy For A Cure Classic and was leading money winner in 2012 ($121, 737)

Best PGA Tour finish: Tied for 41st at 2010 Wyndham Championship

Briefly…It may not be the big tour, but Drew Weaver is carving himself a pretty nice niche on the eGolf Professional Tour. Weaver, who went 0-1-2 at the Walker Cup, came out of nowhere to take the British Amateur at Royal Lytham & St. Annes in 2007. The win not only elevated his status as an amateur player, but also earned him exemptions into the 2007 Open Championship and 2008 Masters. Not too shabby. Following the Walker Cup, the Virginia Tech grad turned pro and ever since has pretty much been a mainstay on the eGolf Professional Tour. In 2012 Weaver won at the Caddy For A Cure Classic, tied for second a week later and added another runner-up finish at the Bolle Classic. He made 12 of 16 cuts in all and earned $71,441. Although Weaver only earned $32,657 in 2011, he totaled four top-10s, including three straight in the fall. Weaver’s sensational 2012 season included a stretch from May 2 to July 14 when he won the Willow Creek Open, tied for eighth at the River Hills Classic, strung together three consecutive runner-up finishes and then won again at The Southern Open. Not too shabby there either. Weaver’s top finish in 2013 has been a tie for fifth at the Irish Creek Classic back in March.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

18 Punishing Places Players Must Avoid

By Nate Oxman STAFF WRITER

In my 16-plus years at Merion, I’ve guesstimated that I’ve walked or played the course well over 1,000 times. The loops that made up the majority of that total sent me scouring some spots on Merion’s 120 acres that I thought were unreachable. It was as if the golf ball was so fed up with its striker that it was trying to get lost, forever. I’m talking about places that probably only have seen a handful of human footprints in the course’s 100year history.

Traverse the rolling former farmland

sandwiching Ardmore Ave. that many times and you’re bound to get your fair share of bad golf. It’s inevitable. So you have to go find a ball 50 yards off-line in knee-high fescue … in the middle of July … with a heat index of 103 … with your player lying seven … with your other player 100 yards away, completely on the other side of the hole … and 70 pounds of golf bags busting at the seams on your shoulders? No problem. You simply adjust the bags, set your compass, and set off on a mini-safari, hoping to

ROUGH RIGHT OF FAIRWAY BUNKERS

(and, truthfully, sometimes hoping not to) find the ball in order to help your tip and give the golfer a chance to hack it back to civilization.

Now those teeing it up at the U.S. Open aren’t very likely to shank their tee shots on No. 3 into the right rough of No. 6 or spray their second shots at No. 14 into the quarry on No. 16. But they will surely find themselves in some precarious positions much closer to fairways and greens. We’ve put together a list of 18 such spots - one on each hole - to avoid at all costs.

This is the only miss off the tee that will really prevent players from going for the green on the second shot. Those who find the left rough or one of four fairway bunkers will probably be able to hack a wedge onto the green, unless the lie is really ugly. But miss the fairway right and nine times out of 10, maybe 99 times out of 100, a player should take his proverbial medicine, pitch back to the fairway and play for par. Surely someone will attempt the heroic shot through a small opening in the wall of pines planted in the right rough, but the best he can hope for by doing so is to land in one of the greenside bunkers or perhaps the fairway area short of the green. There’s really no chance of getting some type of punch shot to stop on the green and the pines are way too tall to attempt to go up and over.

Although it might not see much action, any player who finds the right rough on the first hole will be forced to pitch back to the fairway and play for par. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

FAIRWAY BUNKER SHORT OF THE GREEN

The USGA had the 20-yards-deep bunker moved from the left rough into the left-center of the fairway for a reason: to deter players from going for the green on the 556-yard par-5 second hole in two. Players will face a 230- to 250-yard carry over this bunker on the second shot, so many will elect to lay up short and still have a serious shot at birdie. But those who take on the beast and lose will be left with an unfriendly 40- to 60-yard bunker shot that must stay below the pin. Any approach that lands above the pin will turn a birdie opportunity into a proceed-with-caution two-putt.

HILLSIDE FESCUE RIGHT OF THE GREEN

Local lore has it that the green on the 256-yard par-3 third hole at Merion is built atop what was once the barn on a piece of property known as “Johnson Farm” prior to the construction of the golf course. If that’s the case and the green is on top of the barn’s roof then the barn’s broad side would be covered by the severe slope to the right of the green that leads down to the greenside bunker. While that blind bunker shot from deep below the green may intimidate members and guests during everyday play, those in the field at the Open would have no problem with the recovery shot. The spot that will give those in the Open fits is that steep hillside between the green and the bunker. You can bet the pin will be tucked on top of the bunker at least once during the tournament and those who fire directly at it and come up short could find themselves repelling down from the green on belay to play their second shots. While golf balls hitting into the hillside often tumble all the way down to the bunker, ever so often, especially when that hillside fescue is deep, they bury on impact or take one hop and disappear. Finding the ball and then a stance will both prove difficult. Getting up and down? Good luck.

This bunker was moved from the left rough into the fairway in an attempt to deter players from going for the 556-yard par-5 in two. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

HOLE

Fortunately for the players, they won’t see the right-greenside bunker at the 256-yard par-3 third hole from this angle, taken from the sixth hole, which shows the severity of the slope leading from the bunker up to the green.

Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

LEFT ROUGH OFF THE TEE

I’m going to go ahead and predict that the fourth fairway will prove to be the most difficult to find off the tee on the entire golf course during the tournament. The reason? The severe right-to-left tilt that stretches across two-thirds of the fairway and sends tee balls bounding perilously into dense, unfriendly rough. Sure, there’s a nice, flat section of fairway running the down the right side, but that sliver is maybe five yards wide. A player’s reward for hitting the middle of the fairway? A blind second shot from a buried lie with his feet below the ball. That just may have him pitching back to the fairway to play for par. With a new tee that moves Merion’s second and final par 5 back to 628 yards, the wide, flat section of the fairway short of the giant cross bunker is virtually unreachable, making the only sure-fire way to find a nice flat lie in the short grass is to lay back with a fairway wood to the crest of the hill near the start of the fairway and play this as a three-shot hole.

HOLE

ANYWHERE ABOVE THE PIN

We really could’ve selected “anywhere above the pin” for every hole at Merion. You can guarantee that every slick downhill putt will strike at least a little fear into even the best players in the world. Should anyone’s approach somehow stop on the right side of the green, sloped severely from back right to front left, or on the back portion, no matter where the pin is placed, he will have to do everything humanly possible - and I mean everything - to keep the ball on the green after that first putt. And the only one way to do that is to find the bottom of the cup. Anything else, no matter how delicately struck, will inevitably roll off the front of the green, or worse, off the left side and perilously down a steep slope and into the creek below. This hole, no this green, could make or break the whole week for some. Even perfectly struck, perfectly on-line approaches aren’t always warmly received by this green. They’ll just have to pray to have an uphill putt, lag it close, tap in for par, and sprint to the sixth tee.

an approach

The severe right-to-left tilt of the landing area combined with the absence of a first cut will mean the left rough will be a popular spot off the tee at the 628-yard par-5 fourth hole. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

If

somehow comes to rest above the hole at the 504-yard par-4 fifth hole, the putt must drop in the hole to avoid tumbling off the green and into the fairway, or perhaps even the creek.

Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

HOLE

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

ANYWHERE ABOVE THE PIN

While the green at the 487-yard par-4 sixth isn’t as severe as its predecessor, players must be sure to stay below the pin to have any hope for a birdie attempt that they can really try to make. Anyone who misses long when the pin is on the front portion of the green will just have to focus on two-putting for par and save his scoring for the more birdie-friendly set of seven short holes beginning just a few paces away on the next tee. The difficulty of a two-putt from above the pin will increase the closer the pin is placed to the ridge that will send fast-rolling putts off the front of the green and down to the fairway below.

HOLE

When the pin is placed close to the ridge at the front of the green, players putting from back to front will proceed with caution in order to avoid having to putt back up this slope on the next shot.

RIGHT ROUGH OFF THE TEE

We’ve discussed it before here. Missing the slender fairways on any hole at Merion will make it monumentally difficult to attack the pin. Miss the fairway left at the 360-yard par-4 seventh and players might be able to muscle a wedge onto the green. Getting it to stop anywhere near the pin? No chance. Miss the fairway to the right and players, whose balls stay on the safe side of the fence sitting just several yards from the fairway’s edge, will really have to get creative to try to reach the green on the next shot. The tops of many of the trees that line the entire right side of the hole will force players to either hit a big fade (for righties) around the overhanging branches or hit a low screamer underneath them. The fade will likely be the shot of choice and those whose golf balls fail to behave properly and miss the green left will face a frightening up and down to save par from far below the elevated green.

Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

Anyone who misses the fairway to the left at the 360-yard par-4 seventh hole will have to get creative to reach the green on the second shot.

Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

FESCUE OVER FAIRWAY BUNKERS

The fairway at the 359-yard par-4 eighth has always appeared tiny from the tee due to the large bunker in the right rough that hides the main strip of short grass from view. Since much of that fairway section has been converted into fescue for the tournament, matching the tall grass beyond the deep bunker in the left rough, the fairway is truly as skinny as it appears. With fescue on either side, many players will take their chances splitting the bunkers with a tee shot between 230 and 280 yards, leaving a little wedge into another tiny target hidden behind a massive steep-faced bunker. Others will take the fescue over the right bunker completely out of play and lay back short of the left bunker with a tee ball closer to 200 yards, leaving a full wedge in. That’s a viable option as anyone who finds the fescue will have to forget about going for the green unless they somehow draw a favorable lie.

A tee shot that carries either of the fairway bunkers standing sentry at the 359-yard par-4 eighth hole will wind up in unfriendly fescue rough.

ROUGH LEFT OF GREENSIDE BUNKERS

The tee shot at the spectacular downhill 236-yard par-3 ninth will prove to be one of the most intimidating on the course. Bunkers border three sides of the green and a pond is planted in front that morphs into a little tributary of Cobbs Creek, which trickles around the right side of the green and gobbles up any wayward shots. With large galleries expected to line the hillside on the other side of the creek, the bailout will have to be the rough to the left of the large greenside bunker and in front of a large grandstand. The rough will be thick and penal, but with a front portion of the green just 14 paces wide and a back portion that really runs away from you, getting it close, heck getting it to even stay on the green, will be a grueling task.

Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

HOLE

A tee shot at the 236-yard par-3 ninth that finds the large left bunker will leave the player with a recovery shot with little room for error as the narrowest part of the green runs toward the bunker on the opposite side.

Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

BACK BUNKER

While the behemoth of a bunker fronting the green at the 310-yard par-4 10th could pose problems for a few who play for the right of the green but miss their target to the left, it’s the sliver of a bunker sitting behind the green that will concede the fewest up-and-downs. The section of this back bunker close to the 10th tee is wide enough that it won’t be a problem. It’s the portion which sits between the green and Ardmore Avenue only steps away. A steep face in front and a row of hedges in back, make it a wee bit uncomfortable for the player, who will have trouble keeping it close. The slope doesn’t appear severe, but the grain really pulls the ball toward the green’s front edge. Those attacking any back pin must be sure to err on the short side rather than risk winding up in this vexing little hazard.

RIGHT ROUGH OFF THE TEE

The shifting of the fairway at the famous 11th, where Bobby Jones completed golf’s grand slam in 1930, toward Cobbs Creek traversing the hole’s left side, might bring that hazard more into play, but what it will definitely do is increase the action the right rough sees throughout the week. With an approach anywhere from 130 to 90 yards, players will have a tough time taking their medicine should they draw a questionable lie. Then again, when they take a peek at the shallow green guarded entirely in front by the “baffling brook,” common sense should prevail. Regardless of the player’s decision, watching the approaches at the 11th will undoubtedly be one of the best spots to watch play on the golf course.

This tiny back bunker, with Ardmore Ave. peeking through on the right side of the photo, might only reel in a couple of shots during the tournament, but those who enter will have to dig deep to get up and down to save par. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

HOLE

Anyone whose tee shot winds up in the right rough at No. 11 will think long and hard about taking aim at the green as Cobbs Creek creates a frightening forced carry. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

OVER THE GREEN

We’ve discussed in detail the dangers of leaving approaches into Merion’s guileful greens above the pin. Mistakes or miscalculations like that will prove very costly. Fly a green altogether (see Hole No. 10) and god help you. Even though the front of the 12th green was raised/flattened last year to decrease the severity of the slope, the slope from back to front is still too steep that any chip from the rough, which at least will be on the short side, will end up in the massive front bunker or off the front of the green. There is literally no chance whatsoever of a chip from back there staying on the green. So those thinking about attacking a far back-left pin, with only about 13 yards of rock-hard green to work with better set their sights on the center of the green. Oh, and then there’s the back-left bunker to deal with as well.

BEHIND THE GREEN

It’s difficult to capture the severity of the 12th green in a photo. Anyone who goes long at the 403-yard par-4 12th and finds this bunker or the rough behind the green will be very lucky to even have a putter in hand on the next shot.

Take too much stick or get an untimely lull in the prevailing hurting wind and the shortest hole on the golf course, and perhaps the one most vulnerable to birdies as well, will prove to be no pushover as players will face yet another bunker shot with no hope of getting it close unless the pin is way up front. Then again, if the pin is up, we probably won’t see too many shots in the back bunker. Only when the pin is perched close to the back edge, where golf balls have a tendency to hit hard and bound into the back bunker, will this sinister hazard see a healthy amount of action.

Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

BUNKER

HOLE

The back bunker at the shortest hole on the golf course will play a pivotal role during the Open whenever a pin is placed on the back of the green and the wind is blowing hard. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

HOLE

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

FESCUE LEFT OF FAIRWAY OFF THE TEE

The 14th should prove to be one of the most difficult holes during the Open. Playing from the original back tee, the first hole in what many refer to as the “five finest finishing holes in golf,” became just too short for the tour players over the years. The uphill, dogleg-left par 4 was designed to require a blind, uphill approach with a mid- to long-iron. At 390 yards from the original back tee, tour players would easily be able to bomb their tee shots over both the dogleg and the gnarly fescue in the left rough guarding the dogleg and then be able to attack one of the most difficult greens on the golf course with a wedge. But, with a new tee set on Merion’s main putting green that stretches the hole to 473 yards, the ferocity will return to the 14th. Players may still challenge the dogleg, but those who try and fail will find punishing fescue and be hacking back to the fairway before facing a blind approach to the green.

The bailout at the par-4 15th will undoubtedly be to the right of the trio of treacherous fairway bunkers lining the landing area in the right rough. Sure, there’s deep rough there and a forced carry over a cavernous greenside bunker, but the option on the other side of the fairway isn’t an option at all, especially if you’re in contention down the stretch on Sunday. Bordering the left edge of the fairway is out of bounds in the form of Golf House Road. There used to be a few yards of rough to keep slow-rolling tee balls in play, but the USGA removed much of that and extended the fairway practically all the way to the road, meaning any ball headed toward the OB will head right off of the property.

Intelligent players won’t tempt fate at the uphill, dogleg-left 14th hole by trying to carry the fescue left of the fairway. If they do, the lie will likely be much worse than this one. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

LEFT OF THE FAIRWAY

HOLE

With three bunkers and heavy rough right of the fairway and out of bounds just left of the posts where this temporary fence currently stands only 1 yard off the left edge of the fairway, keeping it in the short grass is imperative.

Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

THE QUARRY

Sure Merion’s most famous feature is loaded with bunkers of all shapes and sizes, but the old stone quarry that’s nearly 80 yards long and over 50 yards wide (the section on the 16th hole) will only punish those who may have unwisely attempted to go for the green from the rough by leaving them with a long, blind, uphill bunker shot or a ghastly lie from some wicked rough. Although the quarry, which for everyday play typically swallows up golf balls never to be seen again, has been cleaned out to be more playable for the tournament, I think it’s safe to assume we’ll still see one or two players face a recovery shot from the its quarters that’s unlike one they’ve ever encountered, even at an Open.

Missing the fairway at No. 16 will surely make players ponder whether to pitch out or play over the quarry to the green. A tee ball behind these trees may eliminate that second option altogether a those who go for the green and come up short, could face a trying recovery from the quarry.

The putting surface at the 246-yard par-3 17th is one of only a few at Merion that will penalize those whose tee shots come to rest on its front portion. That’s because a 6-foot slope separates the first few yards from the main section of the green. A pin perched close to the top of that slope should result in a decent number of tee shots flying straight into the hill and rolling down to the very front of the green. That will force to players to put exactly the right oomph into their putt. Too much will send the ball helplessly toward the back half of the green. Too little will send the ball rolling up and then right back down the slope, leaving a longer putt than the previous attempt. Even a putt with perfect pace must be on a well-planned line as the green tilts big-time from left to right.

Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

FRONT OF THE GREEN HOLE

Anyone who fails to carry the steep slope at the front of the 17th green will face a roller coaster of a putt that takes a hard left-hand turn once it reaches the slope’s summit. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

HOLE

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

ROUGH ANYWHERE OFF THE TEE

We can only hope for a nip-and-tuck leaderboard come Sunday afternoon for there might not be a more ideal hole to decide a U.S. Open than the 505-yard par-4 18th at Merion. By now you’ve heard time and time again that this is the hole where Hogan hit that famous 1-iron to get into a playoff that eventually led to a victory in the 1950 U.S. Open. But like Pete Dye once said, “Merion isn’t great because history was made there; history was made there because Merion is great.” This quote can certainly be applied to the 18th hole as well. It’s not a great hole because Hogan hit the most famous shot in golf there, it’s great because of its ingenious design with its blind tee shot over the quarry to a rollercoaster fairway that leads to a nearly-impossible-to-hold, dome-shaped green that sends short approaches tumbling back down into the fairway in front of the green and fires long approaches off the back of the green into heavy rough. To have any hope at all of hitting this green, a player MUST find the fairway off the tee. Anyone who ends up in the rough on either side will either be pitching down to the bottom of the fairway short of the fairway bunker on the left, playing to the top of the hill to the right of that fairway bunker, or, if he somehow draws a decent lie, going for the green. No matter what option is chosen, the chances of recovering to make a par are puny.

The U.S. Open always awards the player who hits fairways and greens. Those who aren’t so accurate, on the other hand, may have to deal with lies like this. Heavy rough right of the fairway at the home hole should provide for some drama come Sunday. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

Top 10 Spots to Watch the Open

Since following a group for an entire round will be tough, maximize your time at Merion by selecting one of these prime locations.

By Nate Oxman STAFF WRITER

By now you’re well aware that attendance at the U.S. Open is being limited to about 25,000 per day. That’s about half what the Open typically draws Thursday to Sunday. Expect it to be a little congested on Merion’s quaint 120 acres, even with 17,000 fans watching from

1grandstands. You should also expect the prime spectator spots to fill up quickly so to help you prepare, here are the top 10 places on the golf course (progressing through the golf course) to watch the tournament. Oh and we strongly advise you to bring binoculars (if you don’t

GRANDSTAND BEHIND 3RD GREEN AND LEFT OF 4TH TEE

own a pair, buy them now). We can’t stress how much they’ll enhance your enjoyment of the tournament as tees and greens practically hugging one another at Merion will allow you to watch two, three or even four holes from one location.

Any shot that finishes close to the pin at the third will had to have been a miraculous one. Pull out those binoculars and point them toward the tee below where from over 250 yards (and maybe as far as 274!), players will focus heavily on keeping the ball below the hole at a green that’s 47 yards from front to back. Watching players putt on this green will be loads of fun (for you, not them). Pick a spot as high up in this grandstand and as close to the fourth tee as possible so you can also watch players hit their tee shots at the 633-yard par-5 fourth hole, hit approaches into the 360-yard par-4 seventh just to your right and (using your binoculars) putt on the seventh green.

Getting here early and choosing a high seat in the grandstand closest to the seventh hole will allow you to see players hit their approaches into the 360-yard par 4. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

Binoculars will give you perfect views of players putting on the seventh green from this grandstand as well. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

Golfers in the grandstand behind the third green will have this view as they watch players try mightily to two-putt from above the pin. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

2

RIGHT ROUGH ON APPROACH TO 4TH GREEN 3

Hopefully, the USGA will allow fans to fill the rough to the right of the second half of the fourth fairway. Pick a spot close to the ninth tee box so you can not only watch approaches into a fourth green surrounded by bunkers all around and a creek in front, but tee shots and putts on the 236-yard par3 ninth as well. Some long hitters may elect to go for the green in two at the fourth so you may miss a short or two, but you will get to see these shots land. You’ll have a close look at those who wisely lay up, and especially those who miss the fairway right with those layups, as they try to dig a shortiron out of some heavy rough.

ROUGH RIGHT OF 5TH FAIRWAY AND LEFT OF 2ND FAIRWAY

If this area is open and you don’t mind walking 20 yards or so back and forth for awhile, this could be a terrific position. Somewhere in between in the huge bunker in the left rough at No. 2 and the fifth fairway (just under the 150-yard mark) is ideal as you’ll get to watch tee balls land at the 501-yard par-4 fifth, approaches roll up and down and around its diabolical green and players proceed with extreme caution once they reach the putting surface. Whenever there is a break in play at the fifth, take the short walk over near that big fairway bunker at the second and you should be able to see third shots into the second green from those who elect to lay up short of the fairway bunker 40 yards in front of the green. You probably won’t be able to see these approaches land as the second plays a touch uphill, but this is still a spot where you’ll multiple holes (binoculars may also help you see players putting on the fourth green) without having to sit in a grandstand.

Finding a spot close to the ropes in the rough between holes 2 and 5 should allow you to watch players hit shots from both fairways, including the fifth, pictured here. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

The real treat from this spot will be watching what a golf ball does when it lands on the severely-sloped fifth green. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

While all of Merion’s greens are well-guarded, the fourth, pictured above, and the ninth, are two that are surrounded on all four sides by hazards. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

4

GRANDSTAND BEHIND 7TH GREEN

The stretch of the golf course from the sixth green to the ninth tee is perhaps the most close-quartered section on the property. It takes maybe five steps to walk from the sixth green to the seventh tee, one step from the seventh green to the eighth tee and as many as 12 steps and as few as five from the eighth green to the ninth tee depending on where the tees are. From the higher rows of this grandstand, fans will not only get to see players approaching and putting on one of the trickiest greens on the golf course, but with binoculars, they’ll be able to at least see tee balls land and perhaps even see tee balls struck at the seventh. A high perch will also let you see players tee off and then (if you can turn around) hit their second shots at No. 8. This spot may also give you a small glimpse of players hitting their second shots on the par-5 fourth, although you probably won’t have any idea where they wind up.

GRANDSTAND BEHIND 8TH GREEN

From behind the eighth green, you’ll get to see a fair number of approaches from the fescue pinching the fairway from both sides fall helplessly into the massive front bunker that spans the width of the green. You’ll also see those who short-side themselves by going long try in vain to get up and down as any chip from over the green will inevitably end up on the front portion. That will leave at least a 20-footer for par and result in many bogies on this short par 4. Be sure to get to this spot early and snag a spot in the top row closest to the ninth green so, using your binoculars, you can not only see all of the action on the eighth green, but turn around and see tee shots land down on the ninth green. A seat high in this grandstand should also let you see players approaching and then putting on the fourth green.

Your seat in the grandstand behind the eighth green should not only be in the top row, but as far left (when facing the grandstand) as possible so through your binoculars you can watch players putt on the fourth green. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

Pick a spot in the top row of the grandstand behind the eighth green so you can turn around and watch the action at the spectacular 236-yard par-3 ninth hole. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

HILLSIDE RIGHT OF 9TH GREEN

Sure, the grandstands on the other side will give you just as good of a view of the ninth green, but as long as the USGA lets you all the way up to the top of the hill, you’ll get to see much more from this side: players hitting their tee shots on the ninth, players hitting their tee shots and second shots (for those who lay back to around the 100-yard mark) at the 10th (again, binoculars will enhance the views here immensely) and players hitting their third shots and then putting on the green at the par-5 fourth. This will be a sensational spot throughout the tournament, but it will be especially exciting on Sunday should the USGA tuck the pin in the back-left portion of the green. The brave will try to fit their tee shot into a shallow section of green only 16 paces deep (and completely hidden from view when standing on the tee), with a beastly bunker short and another bunker long.

GRANDSTAND BEHIND 12TH GREEN

Yeah, the primary defense of the 403-yard 12th hole was weakened a little when the front of the green was raised to permit front pin placements. And that may take a tiny bit of fun away from this spot, but you may still see short-irons land on the front-left portion of the green spin off and tumble back down the hill toward the fairway. You’ll also see anyone whose approach hangs above the pin, flies into the back bunker or into the yard or two of rough beyond the green, or finds the giant front bunker guarding two-thirds of the green, turn a short par 4 into a bogie or worse pretty easily.

If sitting in a grandstand isn’t your thing, get to the golf course early and sprint to the hillside above the ninth hole, where you’ll soak in this view all day long. Be sure to bring your binoculars to watch players hit approaches from the 10th fairway (upper left in photo) as well. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

8

GRANDSTAND BEHIND 14TH GREEN

If you get to this spot early enough and there’s a seat left in the top row, take it. Depending on how high this grandstand is, you may be able to watch parts of four holes here: practically every shot after the tee ball at the 14th, tee shots at the 15th (and if you can stand up, turn around and look over the railing), approaches into that green too, putts on the 16th green and approaches into the 18th green. Binoculars should be able to help you see all of this, depending on where the USGA allows spectators to roam. No binoculars? This goes from a five-star spot down to one or two. If binoculars aren’t your thing, you’ll still get to watch players who go beyond the pin on their approaches have absolute fits just trying to two-putt. A downhill putt and even one from right to left (from your seat in the stands) on this green is one of the fastest on the entire golf course.

9

GRANDSTAND BEHIND 18TH TEE 1

While the grandstands on the hillside left of the 17th green will provide an awesome view of one of the most unique green complexes you’ll ever see, the 17th tee is out of sight so those positioned here will only to get to see tee balls as they land (unless the USGA puts a giant TV screen displaying tee shots in real-time) and then have to wait until players make the climb down the stairs into the quarry and then up to the green. Watching those who miss short or find one of four greenside bunkers struggle to get up and down to save par will surely be entertaining, but those who park themselves in the grandstands on top of the hill beyond the 18th tee will get to see all of the above, plus a phenomenal view of players driving over the quarry on one of the best finishing holes in the world. Those who do choose the grandstand left of the 17th green may still get to watch tee shots on 18, but the angle won’t be very good at all and it likely will be difficult to follow ball flights.

GRANDSTAND BEHIND 18TH GREEN

If the Open is up for grabs entering the final round, these seats will obviously fill up as soon as the gates open Sunday morning (6 a.m.). So opt for sneakers instead of golf spikes and make a beeline for this spot. Binoculars will let you see approaches from those who don’t drive it all the way down the hill (should be a big chunk of the field) as well approaches to the fantastic 14th hole. Those who sit here will get a true appreciation for how ornery this old dome-shaped green. It doesn’t respond very kindly to misjudged approaches. Anything short will certainly tumble back down the fairway and anything that lands on the middle section or beyond has a pretty good chance to end up in the thick rough behind the green. Hogan made history at the 18th 63 years ago. Get lucky enough to grab a seat here and you might just get to watch some more take place.

Perched high atop a hill above the 18th tee, this grandstand gives spectators stunning views of the 17th green and Merion’s famous quarry, which serves as a splendid backdrop. Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

Spectators seated in the grandstand behind No. 14 will have full views of this treacherous green, which for the players will be completely out of sight on both the tee shot and the approach.

Tri-State Golfer photo by Nate Oxman

The Origin of the ‘Greatest Logo In Golf’

Former Merion Head Professional Bill Kittleman revisits how he created what many call “the greatest logo in golf.”

By Nate Oxman STAFF WRITER

It’shard to believe that when Bill Kittleman came to Merion in the early ‘60s, some of the members didn’t even know what their club logo was.

But this was a different time. Embroidered golf shirts weren’t very popular at all and as Kittleman, who served as an assistant at Merion from 1963 to 1970 and head professional from 1970 to 1996, puts it, “no one really paid any attention at all,” to the logo.

Surely the fact that the golf apparel industry was in its infancy, at least as far as embroidery was concerned, played a major factor. But perhaps another reason is the club’s original, completely ordinary emblem.

“I guess that when the golf club separated from the Merion Cricket Club and became a separate club, somebody, I don’t know who, in 1941 or 1942 during the war I guess took the Merion Cricket Club emblem, which is a shield with a banner underneath, and took out the references to cricket and put in some golf references,” said Kittleman. “They kept the shield the same and the banner underneath the same, with Merion Golf Club written in the banner, and inside the shield they put a golf bag, a club and a golf ball. And above the shield they put a sand box [once used to build tees to place one’s golf ball on] and a flagstick leaning with the flag kind of blowing in the wind. So that was an adaptation of the cricket club’s design. They just changed the symbols.”

That shield, with features similar to probably hundreds of golf clubs all over the world, was embroidered mainly on ladies’ shirts when Kittleman arrived at Merion in 1963.

“When I got there I had to sit down and draw up all new artwork,” said Kittleman. “I took the main ribbon in the logo, which as far as embroidery was concerned, was impossible because it was so small. So we had a more advanced

rendition done of that particular shield - this would have been around ‘65 when I drew that thing - and got that thing in production in the 60s before [former head professional] Freddie Austin left.”

According to Kittleman the shield logo lasted until about 1975, when a member penned a letter asking why the club had a logo with a flag on it when Merion didn’t use flags.

“I think that came out of the ‘71 Open because of all of the publicity the wicker baskets received after being on national TV,” said Kittleman. “They made a big deal out of that and got everybody thinking about it I guess, even though in ‘66 we had the [U.S.] Amateur there and the baskets were used, but you didn’t have the same television coverage of the tournament like at the Open.

Kittleman recalls ABC’s broadcast crew of Byron Nelson and Dave Marr “making a big to-do over the wicker baskets.”

“Therefore someone said, ‘why are we using this logo?” said Kittleman. “Why don’t we investigate a new logo for the club.’ I never saw the letter and don’t know exactly what the letter said, but I’m sure words to that effect were in there.”

So Merion formed a committee and sought ideas from those outside the club regarding a new logo.

“I wasn’t on this committee so I had no power over this, but I said, ‘If you’re going to entertain suggestions, I’ll make a suggestion,” said Kittleman. “So I drew this emblem with a wicker flagstick and I put a Scotch broom plant on there and a date on it. The committee liked it I guess better than anything else that was sent in so in about 1975 they officially decided to start using this design.”

Kittleman had the sketch down, but he couldn’t reproduce the Scotch broom plant well enough so he asked some local artists to create a “realistic rendition of the plant.”

“There’s not much to the plant,” said Kittleman. “It’s just a bunch of switches. It has no confirmation as far as a trunk and branches. The leaves are tiny. The buds are tiny. I wanted to get kind of a botanical drawing of it, but what they’ve done now is abstracted it into more of a silhouette. I don’t think a Scotch broom plant is ever going to be a silhouette. And I think if you go in that direction, the thing begins to look like a leaf of some kind. I don’t think it captures the feeling that I had, which is that I wanted this thing to be kind of wild and woolly.”

Kittleman wanted it wild and woolly like the Scotch Broom that dots the quarry on Merion’s 16th hole and is sprinkled throughout the golf course on

The original Merion logo (above) and the Kittleman-designed current logo (right)

other holes as well.

“It goes with the course,” Kittleman said of the broom. “I just thought it was interesting to me even though in many areas it’s considered an obnoxious weed.”

Kittleman liked the wicker-broom combination and the mystery the logo exudes with the absence of any text.

“I didn’t think it should be enclosed in a circle or a square or a shield and I didn’t want to put the name of the club on it and I didn’t want to put any obvious symbols of golf,” said Kittleman. “You could look at the logo now and not know what the heck it is. It’s not obvious and that’s another thing I liked about it.”

Kittleman acknowledges that today, the world has gone logo crazy.

“Most logos don’t have any detail,” said Kittleman. “The hottest logo probably in the world is Apple and that’s just a simple silhouette, although it’s a wonderful logo because it can be printed as a positive or as a negative or it can be printed all the way down to like a cufflink or eye clip or the size of a penny and you would still recognize it.

You could also blow it up 4 feet across and put it on top of your storefront.

“I didn’t think Merion should be that,” said Kittleman. “That’s a corporate approach that is very valuable to a company and is very flexible in its usage, but that’s a corporation. It’s a huge, huge thing and Merion is not a corporation, not a franchise, not a chain of golf courses. So I thought the emblem should be a literal presentation instead of an abstraction.”

After Kittleman sketched his design, he again sought the expertise of local artists to finish the emblem.

“It’s a combination of a couple of artists and I tweaked it a little bit here and there,” said Kittleman. “I wanted it to look a little hand drawn, a little custom, like it was a little bit out of whack so it didn’t look like it came right off of a drawing board using a T-square. But over the years they’ve redrawn it and simplified it for the purpose of easier production. I think that’s happened. But if it’s helping the club by doing that, that’s fine.”

Today, Merion’s golf shop is one of

the highest-grossing in the business and Kittleman wonders if that can be attributed to his design or “…the fact that it represents the club.”

“I think a lot of guests who visit Merion may or may not ever come back to play again,” said Kittleman. “It may be their only shot. They’ve got all of the romance and the history of the course and they know it’s special to be at Merion. It’s a wonderful golf course and a wonderful club, but I don’t know that the logo itself is all that great.”

Many golfers would argue that it is, with some going so far as calling it, “…the best logo in golf.”

“I don’t know why exactly but I love the logo,” said a recent guest. “On each of my two visits, I haven’t made it out of the pro shop without spending over $400. It’s kind of embarrassing, actually. I have Merion logo fridge magnets, beer steins, a beer glass, sweater, wind jacket, hip flask, two hats and even a golf bag. If it wasn’t for transportation issues, I am sure I would have bought the logo wine rack and bar stool. It’s not the club. It’s the logo.” TSG

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Q&A: Stu Ingraham

Reigning Philadelphia Section PGA Player of the Year and former PGA Tour player Stu Ingraham, head golf professional at MGOLF Driving Range and Learning Facility in Newtown Square, Pa. dishes on Merion Golf Club and what it’s like to compete in a major championship. He should know. He’s played in eight of them.

By Nate Oxman STAFF WRITER

QDescribe to us the difference in mentality for a tour player when shifting from a regular tour event to a major championship?

AI think that the biggest issue that people need to understand is that as soon as a tour player or anybody is playing in a United States Open, not necessarily a major, but a United States Open, the scorecard has already gone up four to six shots, just like that. Do I think the mental approach of a tour player leads to a higher score automatically? Yes, absolutely. The comfort zones are different. The mentality is different. If a guy goes out and shoots 29 on the front nine at

the Texas Open, he might shoot 63. If a guy goes out and shoots 29 at Merion in the U.S. Open, let me tell you something, he’s going to shoot 38 on the back and shoot 67. That’s just the way it is, especially at Merion, with what I think are the five hardest finishing holes in the world.

QOther than a handful of players who competed in the 2005 U.S. Amateur and the 2009 Walker Cup at Merion, the field hasn’t seen the golf course. Will three practice rounds be enough for them to get comfortable with the golf course, especially the greens?

AI have a different theory in practice rounds. I think sometimes you’re better off not knowing too much vs. thinking you know every putt because in reality you don’t. The 16th hole, the 17th hole, you’re going to see more players saying, ‘What? I can’t believe what that ball just did.’ If you look at a putt from 16 feet and in a practice round

Qit broke one cup left to right, but now you look at it and it reads right edge. Where do you think you’re going to play it? The answer is ‘I don’t know.’ That’s going to happen. I think Merion’s greens are hard to putt. They have a lot of indirect ridges, little ridges in them that you can’t quite figure out. Also, in the past Merion has had lots of different discolorations of grass on the greens and when you have different discolorations, it’s hard to see a line.

People have talked a lot about how the weather leading up to the Open and during the week of the Open will impact how the golf course plays. How much of a factor will the weather be in your opinion?

AI think that as long as it’s hard, but fair you won’t hear any complaints because Merion is such a special venue. The lucky thing is that Philadelphia has high humidity and not a lot of wind in June. If they get a dry

PGA Professional Stu Ingraham.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

week and a little breeze, they’ll have some issues,. But if there’s high humidity and its very hot and sticky, with not much wind, that’s going to help them a lot in controlling the greens and things like that. To me, that’s going to be huge.

QWill it be a shame if we get a lot of rain before the tournament and conditions are really soft?

AHonestly, I think that softness is overrated a bit. One thing you have to remember is that when you’re standing out there it’s hard to fly a ball to a flag. Let’s say the pin is back on No. 14. A guy hits a good drive and he has 183 yards to a back pin. It’s hard to fly that ball all the way to the pin because if it’s firm, it’s one bounce and right over the green and then you‘re really in trouble. If it rains and the rough grows and it gets moist underneath, that rough is going to be brutal. So there are some tradeoffs to the course playing really soft.

QWill a lot of players really try to get aggressive and hit driver on the short par 4s, like the 10th?

AI don’t think most guys will go for that green. I’d almost bet they won’t. I think you’ll probably see a lot of hybrids off that tee or possibly some fairway woods out to about 75 to 85 yards. You have to turn it over and carry it far enough and then if you carry it too far and the green is a little firm, it’s going over the green. Now you’re in the

rough or that little bunker or out of bounds. I do not think there will be many going for that green.

QHow do you think the famous 11th hole, another short par 4, will play?

AWell, you better hit that fairway because if you’re coming out of the rough to that green, which is hard as a rock, trying to get it close there is going to be hard. I don’t care if you have 120 or 130 yards. It doesn’t matter. If you put that pin to the right and you go for it and block it 1 inch, it’s going to land and roll right into the water. There’s just no way to stop it. There won’t be enough rough there to stop it from going into the water. You can bet on that. I think they’re going to be in for quite a test. It’s going to be interesting.

QWhen a player leaves an approach above the pin, will he just be trying to two-putt or will he be able to try to make it?

AWhen a player at a place like Bay Hill has a 30-footer, he’s trying to make it. He’s making it or leaving it really close to the hole. When a player has a 30-footer at Merion, good luck to him. They’ll just be trying to two-putt, no question about it. I don’t know a 30-footer at Merion that you’re going to love. You have a 30-footer downhill on 12? 14? 15? 16? 17? 18? Think about it. You’ve got to be kidding me. Maybe there are a few, like on No. 10 if the pin is back left and you’re in the middle of the green that might be a putt you look at and think you can try to make it. But there aren’t a lot. There aren’t a lot of 30-foot putts at Merion Golf Club in that type of atmosphere during a United

MGOLF Driving Range & Learning Facility Head Professional Stu Ingraham plays a shot at the 2011 Senior PGA Championship. Photo courtesy of the PGA of America

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S.

State Open that you can say, ‘This is an easy putt. If I just get this on line it’s going in.’ Let me tell you something. You’ll see a heck of a lot of three-putts out there. I guarantee it.

QYou made the cut in three of the eight majors you played in. What does it take for a local qualifier or a club professional to make the cut in a major? Obviously, he has to play well, but is it about getting a few lucky breaks here and there too?

AIwould say that my experience helped a lot. I made the cut in three of the last five majors I’ve played. I never went into a major and thought, ‘I’m just happy to be here,‘ because if you do that, you may as well not even play because you’re not going to make the cut. You have to go into the tournament thinking, “I got here. I earned it and if I play my game the way I can play, I can make the cut.’ Will I do it? Most club pros don’t because their nerves take over, which is very normal. But one thing that’s great about golf is that anyone teeing it up in a major has the god-given ability to make the cut.

QYou’ve played in eight majors, but never a U.S. Open. Have you tried to qualify? Will you try to qualify this year?

A

In the last 27 years between my jobs at Waynesborough, Overbrook and here at MGOLF, I’ve only tried to qualify for the U.S. Open about five times

because at both Waynesborough and Overbrook our Member-Guest was Father’s Day weekend, the same weekend as the U.S. Open. I almost made it two or three years ago down at Woodmont (Rockville, Md). I was 6-under par through 29 holes and playing really well. It was 95 degrees and I just wore out. I played the next six holes 6 over and wound up shooting even par or 1 over. It took 5 or 6 under to make it and I was right there, but I just ran out of steam. This year, I probably will try because it’s at Merion. I couldn’t imagine teeing it up as the local pro, the oldest guy in the field. That would be unbelievable.

QHow lucky are Philadelphia golf fans that the USGA brought the U.S. Open back to Merion?

AThey’re lucky. It will be very special. It’s a great venue. The USGA realizes how special Merion is. It’s got a lot of tradition and they’ve really highlighted that during the last few months. There’s something about Merion. The one golf course in the world that has grown on me the most the more I’ve played it, it’s Merion Golf Club. I think it’s one of those courses where the more you play it, the more you can really appreciate it’s true identity because it has so many different holes. It allows you to hit so many different types of shots. That’s one of the things I really like about Merion. The last five holes, especially, are just so different. There’s really a special atmosphere there. TSG

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

‘U.S. Opens Are Not Fun.’

West

Chester resident and Applebrook Golf Club

Teaching Professional Jim Masserio competed in six U.S. Opens, including the 1971 and 1981 events at Merion.

By Nate Oxman STAFF WRITER

Afewyears ago Jim Masserio was mingling with members following a clinic at Applebrook Golf Club, which began with an introduction from Applebrook GC Head Pro Dave McNabb detailing the former PGA Tour player’s accomplishments on the golf course, including his appearance in 14 major championships. A woman approached with a question.

“You played in 14 major championships,” she said. “How many U.S. Opens did you play in?”

“I played in six,” Masserio responded.

“I bet that was a lot of fun,” she said.

“U.S. Opens are not fun,” Masserio said. “They’re torture. The golf courses are so difficult. They’re definitely not fun.”

Masserio can look back on his prolific career and admire his participation in six U.S. Opens (’71 at Merion, ’74 at Winged Foot, ’75 at Medinah, ’78 at Cherry Hills, ’79 at Inverness and ’81 at Merion) as terrific accomplishments, but he wouldn’t exactly call them his most enjoyable moments on the golf course.

And that’s perfectly understandable, when you think about how excruciating let’s say the “Massacre at Winged Foot” must have been for someone who was trying to make a living as a professional golfer.

Masserio made the cut in the 1974 U.S. Open at Winged Foot (won by Hale Irwin at 7-over par), which featured a setup that Masserio unequivocally calls the hardest he’s ever encountered, finishing tied for 51st place at 26-over par. In an opening round where not a single player managed to break par, he shot a 5-over 75.

But Masserio had a knack for rising to the occasion and that, combined with uncommon natural talent, proved to carry the Pittsburgh native through an

incredible career in the game that began on a mundane municipal course in the South Hills section of the Steel City.

A FAST START

Jim Masserio idolized his older brother, John, a gifted athlete who excelled at basketball and baseball as a teenager. Everything John played, Jim played. Luckily for Jim, he was a gifted athlete, too, so John, two years older, let his little brother tag along whenever there was a game. Long and lean, Jim became a strong basketball and baseball player as well.

Then a friend of John’s invited him to the golf course one day. John was a natural and fell hard for the game. Jim saw

this and had to try golf too. He fell harder.

Soon, the Masserio boys, Jim, then 13, and John, 15, were splitting their summers between playing at South Park Golf Course, a municipal track near their suburban home roughly seven miles outside the city limits, and caddying at the private South Hills Country Club.

Two, yes, two years later, Masserio topped men two and three times his age to win the 1964 Pennsylvania Amateur Public Links Championship. A year later, he won it again. He did both without any instruction at all.

“We were completely self-taught,” Masserio said. “I never had a lesson until I was a tour player. The game just

Jim Masserio made the cut at the 1971 U.S. Open at Merion as an amateur.

Photo courtesy Philadelphia Golfer

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made sense to me and I was good right off the bat. And like Ben Hogan said, ‘dig it out of the dirt.’ That’s what we did. We didn’t know any better. We just figured it out ourselves.”

That second Public Links win served as the springboard for an illustrious career in the game.

The tournament was run by (and now named after) George Dressler, a USGA committeeman from Pennsylvania, who sked Masserio to play in the U.S. Junior Amateur.

“I said, ‘What’s that?’ I’d never heard of it,” Masserio said. “I was just a public course golfer.”

Masserio sent in an application for the event, which was going to be played at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware, where an aunt of Masserio’s lived. If Masserio qualified, he would stay with her.

A single qualifying spot was up for grabs in Pittsburgh. Masserio claimed it by sinking a 30-foot putt on the final hole. Then he went to Wilmington CC and at age 16, claimed the 1965 U.S. Junior Amateur, too.

Masserio hadn’t sent in his application to defend his title the following summer because the tournament was at California Country Club in Whittier, Ca. and the travel costs were too expensive. But he got a call from the USGA, first asking why he hadn’t entered and then telling him that he had to enter because no one had ever won the event two years in a row.

“It’s hard to win any national championship, but the national junior, when you think about it, there’s only a small window of opportunity to win that tournament because 17 is the age limit,” Masserio said. “Who’s good enough to win when they’re 13? Or 14? Or 15? Usually the guy who wins it is 17. Once in awhile someone who’s 16 wins it, so that’s a small window.”

Masserio agreed to play and, due to an airlines strike, took a cross-country train to California, where he qualified for match play, but lost in the first round to eventual two-time U.S. Open winner Andy North.

Scholarship offers soon came

streaming in for Masserio, who eventually selected to play his college golf at Memphis State. After a year, he transferred back home to Point Park University in Pittsburgh, where he wound up an NAIA All-American. While at Point Park, Masserio won the 1970 Pennsylvania Open and, after graduating in 1971, qualified for the U.S. Open at Merion as an amateur.

MASSERIO’S FIRST OPEN

Jim Masserio was rarely nervous on the golf course. But this was the biggest stage of his budding career. This was his first U.S. Open and his first visit to mighty Merion. So Masserio was nervous. Although this was just a practice round, he needed a little coaxing from his wife, Gigi, to even step onto the first tee.

“I wanted to hit my first tee shot when nobody was around,” Masserio recalled. “So I thought that if I got there around five o’clock in the afternoon, nobody would be there. “My wife and I arrived and I looked up at the first tee and there were hundreds of people standing there. I was so nervous that I didn’t want to tee off, but my wife said, ‘Go on, get out there.’ So I teed off on the first hole and then I was fine the rest of the tournament.”

When Masserio found the fairway with that first tee shot, the nerves vanished for the remainder of the tournament. He followed a fine opening round of 1-over-par 71 with a 75 to achieve his goal entering the tournament: to make the cut.

“I was very happy with a 71 and then thrilled when I shot 75 because I made the cut,” Masserio said. “But as I look back on it, once I made the cut, I was so happy that I reached my goal, I didn’t set another one. I was younger at the time and didn’t realize that I needed to do that.”

Masserio met his third-round playing partner, Raymond Floyd, on the first tee on Saturday and made an interesting impression.

“I introduced myself and he looked in my golf bag and I think I had a set of First Flight irons, but I had a couple of MacGregor irons mixed in there,”

Masserio said. “He looked at my bag and saw a mixed set of clubs and looked at me and I’m sure he thought, ‘Who is this guy that I’m playing with? How did he get in here?’ He played great. He shot 66 in the third round and that was really something to see. He just played beautifully.”

Masserio shot 77 and added a 79 in the final round to finish the Open tied for 63rd at 22-over par.

After turning pro and slashing tournament records on the Floridabased National Tournament Golfer’s Association, Masserio earned his PGA Tour card at Q-School in 1973.

He then missed 10 straight cuts to start the ‘74 season before bouncing back to make 10 of 12 cuts in a twomonth stretch, including a tie for 25th at the B.C. Open. He made $6,550 in a ho-hum year highlighted by making the cut at the aforementioned “Massacre at Winged Foot.”

Masserio saw much-improved results in 1975, recording a tie for fifth at the Kemper Open and earning $22,687 for the year to keep his card. He qualified for the U.S. Open again, but missed the cut at Medinah No. 3 after rounds of 78-76.

Masserio didn’t compete in a major in 1976, but continued to improve his play on tour. He tied for 14th at the LA Open, notched the best finish of his PGA Tour career at the Tournament Players Championship (now The Players), where he finished third, and made $29,376 for the year to keep his card again.

After his most-successful year on tour, Masserio made just $12,600 in 1977, although he did finish tied for ninth at the LA Open.

That was the final year of a fiveyear plan.

“My plan was to play for five years and if I was making a good enough living, I was going to stay and if I wasn’t, then I would go do something else,” Masserio said. “I wanted to be able to change careers while I was still in my 20s. I think I was 29 at that point. I was married and had a child and my wife was pregnant. So everything was going along as planned and I was making a living, but I wasn’t getting rich. After

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that, it wasn’t worth it to keep doing what I was doing so I took the teaching position at Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland [in 1978].”

Masserio qualified for the Open at Cherry Hills that year, and although he missed the cut (77-75), he started an impressive stretch of three appearances in four years in the national championship, including one the very next year at Inverness (77-78, missed cut). The last in that span was in 1981 at Merion when Masserio was in his first year as the head professional at Toftrees Resort in State College.

“That was really great because that was my first year at Toftrees and the owner of Toftrees was also a nonresident member of Merion,” Masserio said. “So he was really proud that his new pro qualified.”

Since I wasn’t playing all the time and I was a head professional at that point, I wasn’t playing that much golf,” Masserio said. “I probably qualified for eight more major championships, but I never played that well and had trouble making the cut. Usually, I didn’t miss it by a lot, but I just wasn’t sharp enough to play at that level because you have to play in tournaments to get ready for a tournament. You can’t just hit practice balls, play with the members and then once in awhile go down the street and play in a pro-am and then go play in a tour event.”

Masserio never played in another U.S. Open, but did compete in the PGA Championship in 1983 and 1991, the Senior PGA Championship four straight years from 2000, where he tied for 17th, to 2003, where he qualified and competed at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square as the host professional, and the U.S. Senior Open in 2001.

Early in that 20-year period, during which Masserio also won two Philadelphia Opens and two Philadelphia Section PGA Championships, he experienced “the best moment” of his career at the Erie Charity Classic, a 36-hole midweek, non-sanctioned tour event.

After back-to-back sizzling 66s, Masserio was tied atop the leaderboard

with 1971 U.S. Open winner Lee Trevino. Down the stretch, Masserio reached the par-5 17th hole in two and made eagle to take a two-shot lead. Playing in the final group right behind Masserio, Trevino matched that eagle to tie.

Masserio made par at the 18th and Trevino’s birdie attempt hung on the lip to set up a sudden-death playoff where Masserio birdied the first hole for the win.

“He wasn’t happy because he’s such a competitive guy and he actually lost that tournament to Chip Beck the year before in a sudden-death playoff and the next year I beat him in a sudden-death playoff,” Masserio said. “But then the next year he won it.”

After 18 years as the head professional at Aronimink GC, Masserio is now in his sixth year as a teaching professional at Applebrook.

THOUGHTS ON THE 2013 U.S. OPEN

Masserio returns to play Merion every now and then with friends, very content to tee it up from the members’ tees rather than from where the big boys will play at just under 7,000 yards June 10-16.

“What a difference all this time has made in how we hit the ball,” Masserio said “In three practice rounds and four tournament rounds I played at Merion [in ‘71], everybody I played with hit a fairway wood to No. 18 with their second shot except the day I played with Ray Floyd. He hit a 1-iron. That’s how long 18 played. And Nicklaus had to birdie the last hole to beat Trevino by a shot. And I remember I was back where I was staying, watching it on television and he bombs this tee shot and hits a 5-iron into the green. I remember the announcers were just incredulous that he hit a 5-iron that far and he knocked it on the green and two-putted. If you put tour players on that tee where everybody hit woods except Floyd and Nicklaus, I bet they would all just drive it down to the bottom of the hill and flip a wedge up there.

No. 18 plays about 470 yards from the tee used in the ‘71 Open. This year, it

will stretch to at least 505 yards and over 520 yards if the new back tee is used.

While Merion will play longer than its listed yardage of 6,996, very short by today’s standards, Masserio said the blind shots at Merion are one factor which will make low scores hard to come by.

“If you think about it, and I think I’m correct in saying this, of the 14 tee shots, something like seven or eight are blind,” Masserio said. “You can’t see where your ball lands. So that’s really one of the things that makes Merion difficult. When you can’t see the fairway, it’s harder to hit it. That makes it a lot harder to get comfortable when you don’t have that visual to get your distance and your depth.”

But Merion’s best defense, Massserio said, is its guileful greens, many of which slope severely from back to front.

“In a U.S. Open you have to keep the ball below the pin,” Masserio said. “If you don’t keep the ball below the pin and you’re putting downhill, it’s a defensive stroke. You’re not trying to make it, you’re just trying not to threeputt. That’s why the guy who really has his game the most under control will end up winning the U.S. Open. That’s what they’re looking for, someone who can really keep his ball under control, not just someone who hits really good shots, but someone who has the most control of the ball with distance and trajectory to stay below the pin so you can be putting up hill as much as possible. That’s really key in a U.S. Open.”

Another key to contending at Merion is taming the famous “back five.”

“Those holes are really such a major part of playing the golf course well,” Masserio said. “You have to hold it together there because those holes are so demanding. They’re just so hard. You could really be in good shape and then go 6-over par on those holes, easily. They have to do their scoring before that and then just hold on for those last five holes.”

Masserio will be watching others battle down the stretch on those final five holes and having fun, for once, at a U.S. Open. TSG

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

Dissecting Merion

Each one of Merion’s 18 holes went under detailed analysis by a local (and one non-local) golf professional

NO. 1 • PAR 4, 350 YDS

BY ELIZABETH GRANAHAN, PGA PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION

G2 GOLF

ACADEMY

CHESTER VALLEY GOLF CLUB

WWW.THEG2GOLFGROUP.COM

All photos courtesy of The Bausch Collection at MyPhillyGolf.com

The opening hole at the 2013 United States Open will be the start of an historic event.

Merion has several short par 4s, which provide interesting risk versus reward opportunities. Hole No. 1 will deliver that prospect fresh out of the gate. This, the first hole of our national championship, will immediately test the nerves of the contestants as they realize not only the gravity of what lies ahead but also of the history and mystique that is Merion, and although Hole No. 1 looks tame, it should be respected.

Whereas the distance to the first green is a mere 350 yards, it will play a bit longer, as the fairway is slightly uphill with a relatively level landing area, while the fairway has been pinched to about 25 yards in width. The rough at Merion is always thick and with the USGA influence it will penalize the wayward shot. Players would be wise to play a shot that will carry 230-250 yards, likely a long iron, hybrid or fairway metal.

The left side of the fairway will be the most advantageous, providing a good look straight out toward the heart of the green, though from the tee, players will have to be mindful of the left fairway bunker. With the fairway running firm and fast, the left bunker may see action on shots intended to be safe and/or conservative. As well, the left of the fairway is wrought with high rough and trees but without driver or 3-wood in hand (and the majority of the field playing righthanded), I don’t anticipate many hooked shots or trouble on this side of the hole.

Of course, the right side of the fairway is the shorter route but the player(s) who decides to take this direction will have to contend with a deep, fairway cross bunker (5060 yards from the green). Also noteworthy is the fact that from the right side, the view of the green is obstructed. More importantly, when approaching from this direction, the angle to the pin does not permit the use of the depth of the green; accuracy and execution will dominate.

The topography surrounding the first green is relatively flat, but don’t be fooled, the green itself has quite a bit of undulation; the general tendency is sloped back to front. The greenside bunker complex will influence and create quite a bit of break which will affect the entire green. All

slopes will lead to the middle of the green, though it is here where a mounding effect can be found and it too will influence the roll.

In attacking the green, an intelligent player should leave himself with a distance equal to that of his favorite wedge. The green is 37 yards deep, generous for wedge play. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to just “hit” the green at No. 1. The most accessible pin will be the front left corner of the green. Players should take advantage of the short wedge.

Keeping the ball below the hole will be the best way to avoid three-putts. At U.S. Open speeds, it is entirely possible to roll the ball off the front edge of this green. For those players with a gambler’s attitude and a strong constitution, there’s an even greater risk/reward approach. The hole is a dogleg right, with bunkers and a stand of pine trees guarding the right side at the bend of the leg. It is not without question (and from a fan’s perspective would be extremely exciting) to see someone challenge the right side; carrying driver in the air, all the way to the front of the green.

It is conceivable that one could go straight over the top of the trees (requiring approx. 300 yards of carry), or shape a “Bubba-esque” left to right curve, attempting to follow the contour of the hole. Depending upon the tee placement, a straight “up & over” route may be blocked by a carefully positioned tree (just right of the tee box).

Of course, if the riskier, right side is unsuccessfully challenged and the tee ball finds rest in the trees, double bogey or worse is a likely number. In this scenario, another noteworthy danger is that of an errant drive. Blow straight through the fairway (which runs out at 290 yards), and a ball could find itself in the middle of Ardmore Avenue aka OB.

Although there are few trees and water hazards at Merion Golf Club, there is plenty of danger and the illconceived shot will be punished. That being said, birdies are available and well-played shots will be rewarded. The eventual Champion will have to exhibit patience and the first hole will set that tone. I’m anticipating that the majority of the field will lay up with a 250-yard shot, hit a comfortable wedge into the green and look for a shot at birdie.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

Merion’s second hole is the first of only two par 5s on the course. It measures 556 yards and plays uphill. It will likely be the first shot hit with the driver for the day and the tee shot requires both length and accuracy. With the fairway shifting closer to Ardmore Avenue and shrinking to just 28 yards wide, it is extremely demanding. Luckily for the players, there will be no traffic on Ardmore Avenue to draw further attention to the out of bounds that lurks the length of the hole on the right side. Once in the fairway, the majority of players will play a second

NO. 2 • PAR 5, 556 YDS

BY TOM GILBERT, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL GULPH MILLS GOLF CLUB

shot that will leave them less than 120 yards for their third. The longest players may attempt to hit the green in two, but the shot will need to carry all the way there in order to reach as there is a fairway bunker 40 yards short of the green. This is tempting as the opportunities for birdies are few and far between. I believe the second hole will be an interesting hole to watch as it will likely begin the momentum for one’s round, ending in birdies and “others” if one fails to keep the ball out of the rough and in bounds!

BY JIM MASSERIO, PGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL

GOLF CLUB

I played in the U.S. Open in ’71 and ’81 and we hit 4-irons and 3-irons here. The hole is going to play 240 to 250 yards so they’ll probably hit long irons too. I think the goal was to make it play for them like it played back in ’71 and ’81. The real challenge to the holes is the green I think and the bunkering around the green. The green is really difficult to putt and the front-right bunker is really deep so along with having to hit a long-iron because of the length of the hole, there’s also a tremendous

challenge when you get on the green to try to make a birdie putt or to two-putt from a long distance because it’s a huge, huge green. So you could hit a shot and be on the green, but have a really long putt and if you get past the pin and you’re putting downhill, it’s going to be very slick. If they give you a front pin there, you’re going to be putting downhill. There’s really nothing you can do about it because you don’t want to mess around with going at that front pin.

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BY TOM CARPUS, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL KENNETT SQUARE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Hole No. 4 at Merion is a terrific par 5. At 628 yards, with a creek guarding the front of the green, this will be a three-shot hole for most of the field. The difficulty of this hole begins with the tee shot as the fairway slopes hard left, which makes it a real challenge if conditions are firm and fast. The optimum play is a high, left to right shot to minimize the bounce to the left. The second shot is blind, over a large cross bunker, to an extremely narrow fairway. With the uneven terrain in the fairway, the players must hit a club they can control to make sure their layup finds the fairway. The third shot is from a downhill lie, the severity of which depends on how far down the hill you go. The further you lay back, the more severe the slope. The downhill lie makes it somewhat difficult, but most players should be able to manage the slope with a wedge. If you miss the fairway with your tee shot and the lie is poor, some players may be forced to lay up short of the cross bunker. If you miss the fairway with your lay up shot,

and the lie is poor, the creek guarding the front of the green could present a challenge.

For those who hit their tee shot long enough (and find fairway), and want to try and go for the green in two, the shot will be blind and must carry the creek in front of the green and avoid the greenside bunkers. Depending on the hole location, a greenside bunker may not be a bad place to miss it, as opposed to the rough, which I’m sure will be difficult. The green is quite large and slopes from back to front. Players will want to try and stay below the hole to maximize their chance for birdie.

The bottom line with U.S. Open courses is to keep it in the fairway. That will certainly be the case with No. 4 at Merion. Overall, it should present a good birdie opportunity for many players. With only two par 5s, players must take advantage of the birdie opportunity if they want to have a chance to hoist the trophy on Sunday.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

I played at Whistling Straits (in the 2010 PGA Championship) where they had the three hardest par 4s that I’ve played in my lifetime. The total distance of those three par 4s was over 1,500 yards. But there, it didn’t play it. The holes might play downhill, or from elevated tee so the holes didn’t play it. At Merion, and specifically at the long par 4s like No. 5, the holes play to their yardages. There’s just no roll there on that fairway.

Even if the green was level, it would still be a very hard golf hole, but because of the way the green slopes and the speeds of U.S. Open greens, there will be some ugly numbers on that golf hole. You can stand there 230

NO. 5 • PAR 4, 504 YDS

BY STU INGRAHAM, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL MGOLF DRIVING RANGE & LEARNING FACILITY WWW.MGOLFRANGE.COM

yards away with 10 golf balls and hit five perfect shots and maybe not have less than a 30-footer because of that green. It’s just a nasty green. Every time I’ve ever putted it, I thought it was one of the hardest greens I’ve every played. I’ve had a 30-footer that’s uphill and across the grain and if you mishit it, it comes up 9 feet short. If you hit it a little solid and it slings below the hole, you could have a 15-footer coming back.

For a hole with no out of bounds and fairly open other than the hazard left, this is going to be a really hard hole. I think the scoring average on this hole will definitely be one of the four highest on the course against par.

NO. 6 • PAR 4, 487 YDS

BY DAN MROZINSKI, PGA ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL COMMONWEALTH

NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

WWW.COMMONWEALTHGOLFCLUB.COM

The sixth is a long par 4 with a slightly angled fairway, which plays gradually uphill and into the prevailing wind. This is a demanding driving hole from the back tees, which can be stretched back just short of five hundred yards. It’s also a blind tee shot, over a grassy knoll to a very narrow landing area (they have narrowed the fairway about fifteen yards from the right side). A power fade off the tee is the key shot shape for this hole. Driver is recommended off the tee to keep the fairway bunkers out of play on the left and leaves a mid-iron in hand for your second, but many may use a 3 wood off the tee so they are sure to find the fairway. That, however, will leave them with a very long shot into a difficult green.

Any player that catches the fairway bunkers on left or rough on either side will have a hard time getting to the green in two.

Approaching this green with your second shot is all about strategy. The green is surrounded by bunkers on both the right and left, with a small pot bunker back right. The green and grain runs from back to front, with a very sloped false front. Players who leave their second shots above the hole will be faced with extremely fastbreaking putts. The main goal for the players on this long difficult hole is to find the fairway off the tee and leave their second shots below the hole to have any chance at birdie. Walking away with par on this hole is a great score.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

NO. 7 • PAR 4, 360 YDS

BY MIKE KILLIAN, PGA GENERAL MANAGER/DIRECTOR OF GOLF AND MEMBERSHIP

GALLOWAY NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

WWW.GALLOWAYNATIONALGOLF.COM

The seventh hole at Merion Golf Club will measure 362 yards for the 2013 United States Open. This is just a few yards longer than the last open held here in 1981. The difference is the tee has been moved to the left, closer to the sixth green and aiming more at the ominous out of bounds on the right side of the fairway and slightly away from the new championship tee on hole No. 4. By today’s standards it is almost a drivable par 4 even though it plays slightly uphill to one of Merion Golf Club’s longest greens.

In the previous Opens of 1950, 1971, and 1981 the majority of the field of competitors hit some type of long iron or driving iron off of the tee to the very narrow fairway, leaving them short irons shot to the 46-yard-long green. Keeping the ball in the fairway was of the utmost concern to be able to control the distance to this very deep but narrow green. Controlling distance was the key on the second shot and as shown by the past statistics if you were left with a long putt, this green was one of the most threeputted of Merion’s greens in past Opens.

I believe these modern great players will take a similar approach to the hole except to get the ball in the 220

vicinity off the tee, they will hit a 5-iron or hybrid, leaving a 120-yard to 130-yard approach shot with a wedge. It is important to leave your tee shot in this area as you will also be able to see most of the putting surface from this point. Forward of here, the green becomes somewhat blind.

I personally think that this hole, along with the eighth and10th,willshowtheglaringdifferencesbetweentoday’s modern great player and those of the 50s through the 80s. I believe a percentage of players will attempt to drive up the left side into the greenside bunker or as close as is conceivably possible to the green for a short pitch to this elevated green. From there the ball will have less spin and even out of the long rough may be an easier approach shot to control the distance than the shot from 120-130 yards off the fairway. This hole should provide a relatively easy par and a good chance for a birdie for the modern player.

Even in the 1971 Open, Arnold Palmer said, “Some of the big boys might try to drive this green.” Well in today’s modern golf everyone on the tour is a big boy so I think this may be a great place to camp out and watch how the game has changed!

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

NO. 8 • PAR 4, 359 YDS

BY DANIEL TAYLOR, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL

PHILADELPHIA CRICKET CLUB WWW.PHILACRICKET.COM

The eighth hole, a relatively short par 4, has a tight fairway that heads out straight and then meanders a touch to the right between two offsetting bunkers. Finding this narrow fairway here is paramount as the short second shot is extremely difficult into a shallow, well-guarded green. The ideal landing area here will be 230 to 270 yards from the tee and the further you hit your tee shot to the right, the further you will need to carry the ball. I believe most players will likely elect to hit a long iron or hybrid off the tee, with the sole purpose of leaving a preferred yardage. Although downhill, the second shot only plays slightly

shorter than the yardage and players will need to fly the ball in with a higher trajectory as the putting surface slopes from a large bunker at the front of the green to the back and lower shots can tend to skip through the green on landing.

The putting surface has a general left-to-right pitch and missing the green to the left or long here will leave an extremely difficult up and down and almost certainly result in a bogie - as indicated in the 2005 U.S Amateur, where the eighth hole gave up the second most birdies of all the par 4s yet still had a stroke average of 4.287.

The ninth hole is the second of four great par 3s at Merion Golf Club. The yardage is listed at 236 yards from the new back tee created for the U.S. Open, however; teeing grounds can be found to the right and left of the eighth green, which will give Mike Davis and the USGA options to move the tee around. Fans will love the large hillside to the right of the green as it will host a large gallery of thousands of people.

The green is well protected, like most of the great green complexes at Merion. This is the only hole on the course, which has a water hazard other than Cobbs

NO. 9 • PAR 3, 326 YDS

BY GRAHAM DENDLER, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL TRENTON COUNTRY CLUB

WWW.TRENTONCC.COM

Creek (or an offshoot of Cobbs Creek) – a pond, which guards the front of the green, while a creek protects the right side of the green. Also, five bunkers defend the entirety of the green. The large green looks like a backwards “P” which will give as many hole location options as teeing options. The back left option will give the players a hard decision as to whether they should shoot at the pin as over the green is “dead.” Another great hole location will be at the front of the green next to the water. A forward tee will tempt the players to fire at the flag.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

NO.10 • PAR 4, 303 YDS

BY DAN MALLEY, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL PAXON HOLLOW COUNTRY CLUB WWW.PAXONHOLLOWGOLF.COM

The back nine at Merion starts with the shortest par 4 on the course. The 10th hole plays from an elevated tee over a valley to a landing area only slightly lower than the tee. The green is set at an angle from back left to front right. The 10th green is surrounded by sand on three sides with only the right side open to the fairway. There is very little area to land a shot from the tee onto the green and to have it stay on the surface. The green is one of the flattest on the course, with only a small ridge separating the right, front side. Putts can be difficult to read due to relatively minor contours.

The players in the 2013 U.S. Open will all most likely use a fairway wood, hybrid, or long iron and try to place their tee shots in the fairway to the right of the green.

This will provide them with a very easy pitch, or possibly a putt from the open side of the green. Players who miss the fairway to the left will have the toughest angle into this green, going over the large fronting bunker with very little room to hold a shot on the green.

This hole will probably have the lowest scoring average in relation to par, but like many holes at Merion, if a player is out of position it will be easy to make bogie or worse. During the 2009 Walker Cup they used a forward tee during one of the rounds that had the hole playing only 240 yards. The forward tee is much lower than the back tee and does not provide the player with a good view of the landing area. It will be interesting to see if the USGA sets the hole up this way for one of the four rounds.

The aura surrounding the hole begins when you walk across from 10th fairway right past the water fountain with the plaque commemorating Bobby Jones’ capture of the 1930 U.S. Amateur Championship, which completed his historic grand slam that year and cemented his place as one of the game’s greats. The tee shot itself seems simple enough, only 291 yards through the fairway and straight away. However, if you push the ball just a little too far right, the thick rough and the overhanging trees just on the other side of a tributary of Cobbs Creek will block your shot to the green, forcing you to lay up into thick rough or the impossibly steep bunker that guards the left side of the green.

If you miss to the left, especially now that the fairway has been moved that way, you will find yourself in one of the beautiful deep pools of Cobbs Creek and be forced to drop into that nasty rough again, possibly dealing with a flyer lie and trying to hold the notoriously hard green while playing a shot straight toward the creek that surrounds the right side of the green.

If you do happen to hit a blissfully good tee shot and be standing in the middle of the fairway, your approach shot will be no more than 130 yards. Easy you say? Not so much given that you are now faced with an approach

NO. 11 • PAR 4, 367 YDS

BY MATTHEW DAVIS ASSISTANT GOLF PROFESSIONAL SPRING MILL COUNTRY CLUB WWW.SPRINGMILLCOUNTRYCLUB.COM

to a green protected by an impossible bunker on the left and with Cobbs Creek encircling the front, right and back of the green. To top it off, it’s a green where the grain runs away from you, making it almost impossible to hold it if you happen to land the ball in the middle of the green or further back.

The green itself is almost always firm and hard, shaped like a reversed jelly bean and sloping pretty severely from back to front, especially when you get near the creek on the right-hand side. There is also a clever little ridge near the back part of the green that is very deceptive, given that everyone always thinks the putt will break towards the water. This is a green to listen to your caddie on. On top of all of this the grain runs from the front left to the back right, making what look like incredibly quick downhill putts pull up short, holding 5 foot sliders straight and generally doing its best to shatter whatever frayed nerves you have left.

All in all though, it is my favorite place to be in golf. You can walk off No. 11 at Merion on top of the world or feeling humbled by such an unassuming par 4. Hugh Wilson blended the natural beauty of the land here so subtly with a superb execution of what a short par 4 should be to create one of the world’s best. Truly a pure master stroke.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

The last of the short par 4s at Merion is a slight dogleg right where the second shot plays uphill to a green that slopes from left to right and severely from back to front. The tee shot is played over a small stream and most players will choose a fairway metal to position the ball even with the second left-hand bunker. The fairway runs out at 301 yards unless the players decides to work the ball around the corner, however, the prudent play is a tee shot somewhere between 275 to 295 yards which leaves a second shot of 140 yards. The green provides the challenge as staying below the hole is paramount as three putts will be common if one’s second shot ends up above the hole. The lower portion of the green has been leveled to

NO. 12 • PAR 4, 403 YDS

BY PAUL OGLESBY, PGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL

PHILADELPHIA

COUNTRY CLUB

WWW.PHILADELPHIACC.NET

accommodate more hole locations. Birdies can be made if players do not get too aggressive with their second shots.

Anyone who gets too greedy trying to attack a back pin or pulls the wrong club and winds up over the green is in severe trouble as he’ll face a downhill, down grain chip or bunker shot that just may end up in the massive front bunker or off the front of the green depending upon where the pin is placed.

On the other hand, those who play safe toward the front of the green instead of taking aim at a back pin, will likely face a difficult two-putt: first a sweeping, uphill left-to-righter and the second, likely an uphill putt from just over the edge of the front bunker.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

After crossing Ardmore Avenue and playing the very difficult 12th, the short 13th hole may seem rather benign; however, the shortest par 3 at Merion can jump up and get you. This may be the players’ last good birdie opportunity, but they will have to keep an eye on the wind as proper club selection is a must for this diabolical par 3. The ideal shot would favor the left side of the green, carrying the front edge of the heavily-

NO.

14

– PAR 4, 464 YDS

BY MICHAEL CALDWELL, PGA

SWING

WITH FREEDOM GOLF COACH

BLUE

BELL COUNTRY CLUB

WWW.SWINGWITHFREEDOM.COM

NO. 13 – PAR 3, 115 YDS

BY JOEY POHLE, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL INDIAN VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB

WWW.INDIANVALLEYCC.COM

bunkered surface.

Balls finding the green will filter from left to right, yielding a very good birdie opportunity. Players who miss the green will certainly have their short games challenged as the deep bunkers and bowl-shaped green won’t make for an easy par save. Despite the length of the hole, players will be happy to walk away with par and ready to tackle the “back five.”

The 14th hole starts what is arguably considered the five toughest finishing holes in golf. The only easy part about the hole is the decision to hit driver from the tee box that sits on the members’ putting green 40 yards behind the normal teeing area. Due to the prevailing wind being in the player’s face, tee shots will leave an approach between 160 and 190 yards to the green. If a player happens to miss the fairway on the left, waisthigh fescue grass will devour any chances of getting to the green. On the right of the fairway lie three bunkers that are in play off the tee. The first is one of the most penal on the course, requiring no more than a 7-iron to escape. The second and third bunkers are not difficult to

play from, however the angle into the green is awkward. From the area where most players will be hitting their approach shots, the green looks miles away. This is one of the few holes on the course in which a player can run a shot onto the green, which is well guarded around the other three sides, so hitting the green is crucial in a player’s attempt to avoid a difficult up and down situation. The green has a swale running through the center from front to back. Judging the speed of a putt needing to travel across the swale proves to be a difficult task. Some of the pin positions are difficult to get to and require great lag putting skills to avoid an easy three putt.

NO. 15 – PAR 4, 411 YDS

BY CHANDLER WITHINGTON, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL HAZELTINE NATIONAL GOLF CLUB WWW.HAZELTINENATIONAL.COM

In my opinion, the 2013 U.S. Open will begin once the leaders reach the 15th tee on Sunday afternoon. The 15th is an uphill, dogleg left with plenty of places to dash a leader’s hope of victory. If a player makes it the through the 15th unscathed, he is far from home free as the last three holes present just as great of a challenge.

The landing area on the 15th has been narrowed and shifted closer to Golf House Road, which will be out of bounds for the tournament. Directly on the other side of the fairway lies a stretch of three deep fairway bunkers. The players will be left with a decision: be bold and attempt to hit driver over all of the bunkers (a 300yard carry), or be safe and hit a hybrid off the tee which wouldn’t bring any of the trouble into play. Reaching for the driver will bring the out of bounds into play and may end a few players’ championship hopes late on Sunday. Laying the ball back off the tee will leave the player with a 200+ yard uphill approach to one of the most penal greens on the course. Similar to the fifth and 12th greens, the amount of slope on the 15th green will drive the players to near insanity throughout the week.

Leaving the ball below the pin is a MUST if the player hopes to have a chance at stopping the ball once on the green. The green is surrounded by three deep bunkers,

any of which a player would be have to work hard to get up and down from.

On the green, a shelf has been added to the front left portion. I feel that a pin placed in that location may be one of the toughest on the entire course.

The beauty of this hole is the out of bounds staring the player right in the face. Rarely in major championships do we see out of bounds on any hole, especially late in a championship (the par 5 14th hole at Royal St. George’s is the only one that comes to mind in recent history). That being said, we certainly don’t ever see out of bounds less than 5 yards off the edge of a fairway!

One final twist – the left side of the 15th fairway is usually lined with large posts that keep cars from driving onto the golf course. Players have been known to get an occasional lucky bounce off these posts when their shots were heading out of bounds. You have probably guessed it by now, but the USGA will have these posts removed prior to the championship. This is the U.S. Open after all and “fair” is not a word in this championship’s vocabulary!

The leaders late on Sunday will have to tee it up on the 15th and not think about the possible train wreck that waits for them if they are to reach the 16th tee with a chance to win.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

NO. 16 – PAR 4, 430 YDS

BY JACK CONNELLY, PGA AMBASSADOR NORTH HILLS COUNTRY CLUB WWW.NORTHHILLSCC.ORG

The players will tee off with a driver, fairway wood or hybrid on the famous 16th hole, the first of three holes that cross over an old stone quarry on the property. The fairway is not visible to the players off the tee and a bunker, 280 yards off the tee, has been moved over from the left to narrow the landing area. The player who misses the fairway in the left or right rough will be forced to navigate a shot that

may have interference from trees. If the player draws a poor lie in the rough he will have to evaluate the risk involved in trying to play over the quarry to the green. Players who hit the fairway will have a blind short iron approach to a two-tiered green. The tier stretches across the first third of the green, leaving a bevy of great hole locations which will demand proper distance control on the approach.

The 17th Hole at Merion Golf Club is one of the most picturesque, yet daunting holes in all of golf. Stretching to a meaty 260 yards from the tips, this hole may very well determine the championship before any player gets to recreate Hogan’s famous 1-iron shot. Played over a cavernous quarry that spans the 16th, 17th and 18th holes, the tee shot on the club’s penultimate hole leaves very little margin for error as deep bunkers and grassy hollows surround the narrow, three-tiered green. The prevailing wind (or nerves) will surely affect a player’s tee shot and the beautiful, yet treacherous fescue grass framing the outline of the hole, just may distract one’s focus and ruin any chance for par.

NO. 17 – PAR 3, 246 YDS

BY ERIC KENNEDY, PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL OVERBROOK GOLF CLUB WWW.OVERBROOKGOLFCLUB.COM

With a massive false front guarding the approach, a majority of the hopeful tee shots will collect in the small tongue of fairway that sits 5 to 6 feet below the putting surface. From here, a player will have a multitude of options, including putting, chipping or flopping his ball to the same level as the pin placement. If a player is fortunate enough to find the putting surface on his tee shot, his work is far from over. With two more tiers separating the green’s multi-contoured surface, players will face the unenviable task of precisely controlling the distance on their hybrid or 3-wood otherwise threeputting is a real possibility. If Hugh Wilson’s intention at Merion Golf Club was to create a play in three acts, then this hole has all the makings of a Greek tragedy.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

NO. 18 – PAR 4, 521 YDS

BY GENE MATTARE, PGA GENERAL MANAGER/DIRECTOR OF GOLF

SAUCON VALLEY COUNTRY

CLUB

WWW.SAUCONVALLEYCC.ORG

On June 11, 1950, Ben Hogan hit what is probably the most famous shot in major championship golf, a 1-iron from the fairway onto the green in the final round of the U.S. Open Championship. That shot was immortalized by photographer Hy Peskin and stands today as one of the greatest golf photographs ever recorded.

The final hole at Merion is arguably one of the best (and most difficult) finishing holes in all of championship golf. From the back tee the player will be faced with a number of challenging options as angles and lines from the tee to the fairway are misleading. The carry to clear the quarry is 252 yards, 263 yards to reach the fairway and 300 yards to reach the crest of the hill. Making the hole even more difficult is the sloping fairway and thick

rough. No graduated cut here!

Once the player reaches the fairway, the shot into the green will not be easy. The putting surface is quite large and provides numerous hole locations. It is severely sloped with the contour and grain running from front to back, making an approach shot with a long iron, hybrid or fairway wood extremely difficult. Only a well-positioned shot to the front of the green will hold. Too short and the ball will roll down the false front to the fairway, setting up a challenging pitch shot. Too long and the ball will run off the green and into the tall rough that surrounds the putting surface.

This hole will be a wonderful test of a player’s nerves under tournament conditions and could ultimately determine the winner. Par will be a great score.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

A Century Ago, Ouimet’s U.S. Open Victory Changed the Game

Upset winner changed the game of golf, and his lasting legacy is the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, benefitting students who give service to golf

By Greg Ball CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Asthe U.S. Open comes to Merion Golf Club in mid-June, the eyes of the world will be focused squarely on Haverford Township, Penn. Satellites will beam video coverage of the world’s best golfers to millions of television sets and computer screens across the globe, while thousands of fans will line the historic fairways to witness the 113th playing of our national championship.

A century ago, that scene would have looked wholly unfamiliar. While well-established and popular in Europe, the game of golf had yet to catch on across the pond. There were just 700 golf courses in the United States at the time, and golf was reserved mostly for the extremely wealthy.

Enter Francis Ouimet.

A 20-year-old amateur and caddie from a poor family, Ouimet brought golf to the forefront in 1913 with his dramatic U.S. Open victory in an 18-hole playoff over top British professionals Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. The monumental event at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. not only sent shock waves through the sports world, but forever changed the game.

As the golf world celebrates the 100th anniversary of Ouimet’s watershed moment this summer, we look back at his unlikely rise to prominence, his stunning impact on the game, and how his legacy lives on a century later through a prolific scholarship fund in his name.

AN UNDERDOG STORY

If Ouimet’s story seemed right out of a Hollywood script, it shouldn’t seem surprising that years later, awardwinning author Mark Frost told the story in his 2002 best-selling book “The Greatest Game Ever Played”, which

in 2005 was made into a popular movie by Disney.

Ouimet grew up in a humble Brookline home across the street from the 17th hole at The Country Club, the poor son of an immigrant family. He practiced the game with makeshift clubs in his backyard and dreamed of playing, but the closest he got to the greens at the exclusive club in his neighborhood was as a caddie to its wealthy members.

His victory in the 1913 Massachusetts Amateur earned him an invitation to the U.S. Open, though he first had to ask for time off from the sporting goods store where he worked. Ouimet was 17th in the field after an opening-round 77, but played considerably better over the final three rounds and played the final six holes of the fourth round at six-under par to force an 18hole playoff between he, Vardon and Ray.

courses tripled in that decade, and by 1929, there were approximately 5,600 courses across the country.

In front of a then-record gallery of 10,000, Ouimet shot 72 to Vardon’s 77 and Ray’s 78 in the playoff, becoming the first amateur ever to win the U.S. Open and making front-page news around the world.

LONG-LASTING EFFECTS

Ouimet’s victory is largely credited with popularizing golf in America. In the 10 years after his win, the number of golfers in the U.S. grew from approximately 350,000 to 2.1 million. The number of U.S. golf

The U.S. Open emerged as a sporting event of major significance. Ouimet, meanwhile, became an inspiration and mentor to up-and-coming players like Bobby Jones and Gene Sarazen, who would go on to become legends of the game themselves. Ouimet continued to excel in the sport, winning the U.S. Amateur twice and advancing to the tournament’s semifinals a record nine times.

“In the simplest of terms, Ouimet’s win made golf in America,” Frost said. “No single event, or victory, has ever meant more to the development of golf or any other sport. Period.”

Francis Ouimet, 1913 U.S. Open Champion.

Photo courtesy of Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

OUIMET’S LASTING LEGACY

One of the iconic images from the 1913 Open is a black-and-white photo of Ouimet and his caddy, Eddie Lowery, walking down the fairway, both dressed in the shirts, ties and knickers customary for golfers of the era. Lowery, just 10 years old, is barely bigger than the golf bag slung over his shoulder.

Ouimet had ended up with Lowery as his caddie only after Lowery’s older brother Jack was unable to carry the bag. The two proved to be a surprisingly good pair, though, as evidenced by Ouimet’s steady climb up the leaderboard, which positioned him for the three-way playoff after the final round. The morning of the playoff, a member of The Country Club offered to caddie for Ouimet and provide his course knowledge to the underdog local, but Ouimet elected to stick with Eddie.

That decision was just the beginning of what turned into a lifelong friendship between Ouimet and Lowery, as well as a lifetime of dedication on Ouimet’s part to assisting young people and lending his time to charitable causes. Ouimet’s lasting legacy is the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund.

Founded in 1949, the fund (www. ouimet.org) provides need-based college scholarships to Massachusetts students who work as caddies, in golf pro shops and on golf course greens crews – in Ouimet’s words, “those who give service to golf.” The fund has awarded more than $25 million in scholarships to

more than 5,000 students in its lifetime. From giving $4,600 in scholarships to 13 students during its first year, the fund has grown to providing $1.5 million in assistance to 263 students during the 2012-13 academic year.

Ouimet Scholars achieve a graduation rate of 92 percent within four years, significantly better than the national average of 55 percent over six years. Notable Ouimet Scholars who have gone on to achieve great professional success include Peter Lynch (a legendary portfolio manager for Fidelity Investments who was behind the success of the Magellan Fund), Richard Connolly (one of the country’s top financial advisors and philanthropists), Allen Doyle (a two-time U.S. Senior Open winner and 11-time winner on the Champions Tour), Richard Murphy (the former president of the prestigious Jonas Salk Research Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif.) and Robert Fallon (the head of Asian operations for JP Morgan Chase in Tokyo and Hong Kong for more than 25 years). Many past Ouimet Scholars credit the assistance they received for helping them get a head start in their professional lives.

The late Bobby Jones long admired Ouimet’s contributions to the game they both loved.

“There have been many great golfers since Ouimet, but none who gave more to the game,” he said years ago.

Herbert Warren Wind, the noted New Yorker and Sports Illustrated golf writer of the mid-20th century, concurred.

“The luckiest thing which happened to American golf was that its first great hero was a person like Francis Ouimet,” Wind once said.

The Ouimet Scholarship Fund has a connection to Philadelphia as well. Its leadership networks regularly with the brass at the Woody Platt Scholarship, which is run by the Golf Association of Philadelphia and shares a mission similar to the Ouimet Fund.

“The Platt is a great program, and we truly admire the work they do,” said Bob Donovan, the Executive Director of the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund.

“In my role, it has been a great

privilege to research and learn about Mr. Ouimet and all he did for golf. Everyone who plays this great game should say thanks to him in some way this year.”

In May, the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund honored Ouimet at its Centennial Gala, an elegant dinner that attracts approximately 2,000 guests annually and is the largest charitable golf reception in the country. This year’s event was headlined by Ouimet ambassadors Arnold Palmer, Peter Jacobsen, Frost and Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner.

The Gala fell exactly one month before the Saturday of this year’s U.S. Open – appropriate timing, as all those who have come after him in the game owe Francis Ouimet a debt of gratitude for what golf has become.

Were he alive to see the progress the game has made, he’d likely take his characteristic humble tack and offer his familiar phrase, that which has become the slogan for the Ouimet Fund: “From what golf has given you, give back to golf.” TSG

Caddy Eddie Lowery (left), with Ouimet.

Photo courtesy of Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund

Francis Ouimet. Photo courtesy of Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund

keegan bradley

angel cabrera stewart cink

darren clarke

jason dufner

ernie els

rickie fowler

jim furyk

sergio garcia

padraig harrington

dustin johnson

zach johnson

matt kuchar

hunter mahan graeme mcdowell

rory mcilroy

phil mickelson

justin rose

adam scott

webb simpson brandt snedeker

steve stricker

bubba watson

tiger woods

From the Best Local Watering Hole to Award-Winning Sandwiches, We Tour the Plethora of Local Hot-Spots

By Alyson Boxman Levine CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After an exciting day at the golf course, finding that ideal spot to unwind can be a challenge for even the most seasoned foodie. Luckily, the historic Main Line area is adorned with a bevy of choices for an evening of excitement and, depending on what you crave, there is something on the menu for everyone.

From high-end steakhouses and local hangouts serving great food, to kid-friendly establishments, this trendy area just outside Philadelphia is known for its diverse cuisine. Join our tour of the area’s top eateries and experience what this lively region has to offer.

TOP SPORTS BAR

Sports lovers unite at the Tilted Kilt in King of Prussia, where your favorite game is always on and fun awaits everyone who enters. This Celtic-themed sports bar features tasty pub fare, including fresh salads and wraps and delicious burgers and wings. With their vast selection of draft and bottled beer, and staffed with beautiful servers in sexy plaid kilts and matching plaid bras, this hot-spot is on everyone’s top 10 list.

While the Tilted Kilt concept has its roots deep in the tradition of Scottish, Irish, and English Pubs, it actually came to life in America’s own sin city, Las Vegas. The brainchild of successful restaurateur Mark DiMartino, the Tilted Kilt was

conceived to be a contemporary sports pub and — with its broad, far-reaching appeal — it quickly became successful and acquired a loyal following. With locations across the country and many more scheduled to open, the Tilted Kilt continues to lift spirits and joyously reaffirm their motto of “A Cold Beer Never Looked So Good.”

TILTED KILT

826 W. Dekalb Pike

King of Prussia, PA

T 484-231-8506

www.tiltedkilt.com

BEST BYOB

Grab a bottle (or two) of your favorite vino and head over to Havertown’s Giampino’s Cucina Italiana. Travel back in time to old-world Italy with their enchanting atmosphere and delicious recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Once inside, patrons will receive a heartfelt and comforting Italian meal complemented with friendly, exceptional service.

From their whole wheat Penne Primavera, tossed with fresh seasonal garden vegetables, to their Penne Arrabiata, adorned with their delightful with hot Italian peppers, the dishes are simply mouth-watering and each is prepared from scratch to order using the finest ingredients available. And with

their reasonably-priced kids menu, this restaurant makes everyone’s short list.

GIAMPINO’S CUCINA ITALIANA

1254 W. Chester Pike

Havertown, PA

T 610.853.9330

www.giampinos.com

AWARD-WINNING SANDWICH

Venturing into the City of Brotherly Love will be well worth the trip if you decide to visit Tommy DiNic’s at the Reading Terminal Market on Arch Street. Currently in its fourth generation, Tommy owns and operates the shop with his son, Joey, who has built upon their lineup of classic Italian sandwiches to include new classics like the slowroasted brisket of beef and Italian-style pulled pork.

Sourcing quality ingredients, combined with their reverence for the slow, everything-from-scratch process of cooking, has landed them huge points with customers and the media. Following appearances on the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food” and “Best Sandwich in America,” DiNic’s roast pork sandwich has been crowned the Best Sandwich in America.

With live music, market tours, cooking classes, and 100,000 Philadelphians and tourists passing through every week, the Reading Terminal Market is home to more than diverse 80 merchants. On any given day, visitors can find an eclectic array

of fresh baked Amish goods, produce direct from the field, hard-to-find spices, free range meats and poultry, and much, much more.

TOMMY DINIC’S

1136 Arch St. Philadelphia, PA

T 215.923.6175

www.tommydinics.com

BEST MARTINI

Whether you like it shaken, not stirred, or dry, you will love the martinis at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, King of Prussia. Cozy up to their well-stocked bar and experience one of their unique specialty martinis, including the Red Over Heels Martini, Blueberry Lemon Drop, and the CEO Martini. Their extensive wine list is the recipient of Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” and offers an array of selections from around the world for everyone from the novice to the wine connoisseur.

Go for the drinks, but stay for dinner at this vibrant neighborhood steakhouse which features the finest hand-selected steaks that are aged a minimum of 28 days. They also feature only the freshest seafood, including Ahi tuna and Australian lobster tails — all complemented by a wide selection of appetizers, soups, salads, and flavorful side dishes. Their amazing desserts are house-made daily and include their famous bananas foster bread pudding.

SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE

700 W. Dekalb Pike

King of Prussia, PA

T 610.878.9025

www.sullivanssteakhouse.com

BEST GOURMET MARKET

You cannot truly say you’ve experienced the area without a stop at Carlino’s Specialty Market in Ardmore. The delicious aromas tempt you as you saunter through the door and experience authentic gourmet take-away at its best. Chosen “Best Gourmet Market” in the 2012 “Best of Philly” Awards in Philadelphia Magazine, their talented chefs use the freshest ingredients available. In their third generation of ownership, Carlino’s continues as purveyors of artisan cheeses, homemade desserts, signature pasta and sauces, handmade fresh bread, prepared gourmet take-away foods, an authentic deli, house-made sausages, hand-roasted meats, a collection of over 40 handselected olive oils and balsamic vinegars on tap from around the globe, and an impressive selection of Italian groceries.

Their hot foods department is an area where you can enjoy ready-to-go meals for lunch, dinner, or just a quick snack. Their Pizza Shop tempts you with aromas of freshly prepared rustic artisan pizza, focaccia, and stromboli made from scratch daily. The pizzas are made in rectangular pans and slowly baked in brick ovens using century-old recipes and techniques that hail from the Abruzzo region of Italy.

All of these specialties can also be enjoyed on premises at the quaint café in their garden.

CARLINO’S SPECIALTY FOODS

2616 County Line Rd Ardmore, PA

T 610.649.4046

www.carlinosmarket.com

Sneak away from the golf action for a while and visit a local favorite, Boccella’s Deli. This casual restaurant features friendly service and reasonably priced menu items that are sure to please.

Having received rave reviews for their cheesesteaks, grilled paninis, and fresh angus burgers, it is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. With daily specials, a great selection of microbrews, and hearty portions, this superb deli is a must-visit on our hot-spot list.

BOCCELLA’S DELI

37 W. Eagle Rd Haverford, PA

T 610.789.2228

MOST LUXURIOUS

Housed in the First Pennsylvania Bank building in Center City Philadelphia, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House delivers serious drama alongside their impeccable cuisine. From the ornately-carved ceiling soaring high above the marble floor, to the massive stone columns, much of the bank’s 1920s architectural traits are still wondrously intact. A three-story glass wine tower, capable of holding 2,500 bottles, serves as the centerpiece of the restaurant and adding even more drama

TOP LUNCH SPOT

to the space are balconies draped with red fabric overlooking the expansive main dining room. Near the entrance, steps lead down to the Vault Room, once the home to safe deposit boxes, today delivers a secret private dining room.

Guests are treated to superb chefdriven culinary masterpieces and unparalleled hospitality. The cornerstone of the menu is aged USDA Prime Beef, and the establishment serves only the best hand-cut steaks and the freshest seafood, including Australian cold water lobster tails, alongside mouthwatering appetizers and irresistible desserts. Expert sommeliers are on-hand to guide you through their awardwinning wine list, offering all who enter an unforgettable experience in a luxuriously stunning atmosphere.

DEL FRISCO’S

1426-28 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA

T 215.246.0533

www.delfriscos.com

BEST PASTRAMI

Located in the town of Chesterbrook, Diane’s Sidewalk Deli is well-known for its friendly service and huge sandwiches. Walls adorned with local celebrities add an athome charm that is not normally found in restaurants today, and celebrates this family owned and operated business that has been serving customers for the past 20 years.

Whether it’s eat-in, take-out, or catering, the portions are always more than generous and reflect the true traditions of a New York Style Deli. Diane’s award-winning food is prepared onsite daily so that customers receive the highest quality meals possible.

DIANE’S SIDEWALK DELI

500 Chesterbrook Blvd. Chesterbrook, PA

Tel: 610-296-9955

www.dianessidewalkdeli.com

FRIENDLIEST BAR

Looking for a place to kick back with the locals? Visit The Greeks Bar & Restaurant, Narberth’s oldest and friendliest bar since 1922. Cold beer, good food, and loyal customers have helped them become one of the oldest continuously operated establishments on the Main Line.

With fun outside dining and an extensive menu featuring mouth-watering salads, their delectable open faced hot roast beef sandwich, and a wonderful children’s menu, this locale will surely become a fast favorite with newcomers.

While you’re there, check out the The Greeks Next Door, their new craft beer and cider bottle shop. With over 450 bottles and a knowledgeable staff, you will be sure to find something unique and new to wet your whistle.

THE GREEKS

239 Haverford Ave. Narberth, PA T 610.664.8655 www.thegreekstavern.com

BEST PIANO BAR

Featuring nightly live music, Ristorante San Marco in Ambler is the place to be for a wondrous night out and an exquisite meal. Featuring traditional dishes from southern Italy and Sicily, Ristorante San Marco is a place where you can enjoy the

THE 19TH HOLE

finest Italian cuisine in a uniquely intimate and elegant setting.

Owners Josephine and Leo Leone extend a heartfelt invitation to their expanded nineteenth century converted schoolhouse, with main courses featuring seared tuna puttanesca; veal medallions, deglazed with Barolo wine; and linguini ai fruti di mare, a delicious combination of tender strands of pasta piled high with shrimp, mussels, tiny clams, and scallops.

The beautifully appointed piano bar features nightly live music by their acclaimed classically trained pianists, who can accommodate almost any request. Their passionate music attracts the best singing talent in the area, part of what makes Ristorante San Marco an unforgettable experience.

RISTORANTE SAN MARCO

504 N Bethlehem Pike Ambler, PA T 215.654.5000 www.sanmarcopa.com

EXTRAORDINARY STEAK

Everyone knows that when they enter the well-heeled doors of Ruth’s Chris Steak House in any city across the country, they will be served a delightful meal … and the King of Prussia location is no exception.

The famous sizzling U.S. Prime corn-fed steaks, succulent sides, seasonal salads, award-winning wines, and scrumptious desserts are mouthwatering and memorable. Starting with the finest and freshest products, their core menu of steaks — filets, ribeyes, Cowboy ribeyes, and New York strips — are all cooked on the same ovens designed over 40 years ago. Just follow the sizzle. …

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE

220 North Gulph Road King of Prussia, PA

Tel: 610-992-1818 www.ruthschriskop.com

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

2013 U.S. Open Spectator Information

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

All times are EDT and schedules are subject to change. Starting times will be posted when available at www.usopen.com

Pre-Championship Merchandise Opening at the Main Merchandise Pavilion

Thursday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). No ticket is necessary to enter the Main Merchandise Pavilion during these pre-championship hours. The golf course will be closed to the public.

Practice Rounds

Players will have the option of starting practice rounds at the first or 11th tee. Players electing to play a full round generally begin between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. It is typical for players to be on the golf course or practice areas until at least 7 p.m.

Monday, June 10 (Gates open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Tuesday, June 11 (Gates open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Wednesday, June 12 (Gates open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Championship Rounds 1 and 2

Play is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. from the first tee and 7:15 a.m. from the 11th tee. The last group will begin play at 2:42 p.m. from the first tee and 2:57 p.m. from the 11th tee.

Thursday, June 13 (first round)

(Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)

Friday, June 14 (second round)

(Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)

Championship Rounds 3 and 4

The first starting time will be determined by the number of players who make the cut at the conclusion of the second round (60 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 60th place). Generally, the first pairing begins play from the first tee between 8-9 a.m.; the last pairing for both days will start from the first tee at approximately 3 p.m.

Saturday, June 15 (third round)

(Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)

Sunday, June 16 (fourth round)

(Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)

Playoff

If there is a tie for the low score after 72 holes, an 18-hole playoff will be held on Monday, June 17. The playoff will begin at approximately noon and finish at approximately 4 p.m. Gates will open at 9:30 a.m.

PHOTO COURTESY

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

1895 Club

The 1895 Club is an exclusive on-site, air-conditioned pavilion located at Haverford College, approximately 400 yards from the clubhouse parking lot area and 18th hole at Merion Golf Club. This all-inclusive ticket features breakfast, buffet lunch with hot entrees and afternoon snacks with full bar service. 1895 Club tickets are needed to access this tent. Junior tickets do not provide access into the 1895 Club, but tickets can be purchased for juniors to access the 1895 Club.

Hours of Operation:

June 10-16 (Monday through Sunday) 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Autographs

Spectators should keep in mind that the players’ first responsibility during U.S. Open week is to compete for the national championship. For this reason, a no-autograph policy is in effect on course throughout championship week. Spectators should not approach any player for an autograph from the time a player is en route to his first tee until the completion of his round. This policy applies to practice rounds as well as championship rounds.

Camera Policy

Cameras are only allowed on the championship grounds during practice rounds, Monday through Wednesday, and only for personal, non-commercial use. No photography is permitted in the presence of a player from the time he addresses the ball until the completion of his swing (i.e., when a marshal’s arms are raised). Video recording is not permitted at any time.

Corporate Hospitality

The USGA provides a range of hospitality facilities for on-site corporate entertaining. Only the specific ticket for each corporate hospitality facility provides access into that facility. Children will also need the specific corporate hospitality ticket to gain access into corporate hospitality facilities since regular Junior tickets do not provide access. IBM Business Centers offering Internet access, printers, phone service, etc., will be available in all hospitality facilities. For information about corporate hospitality for future U.S. Opens, please visit www.usopen.com or contact MSG Promotions, Inc. at 484-223-3295.

Disabled Spectators

The USGA is committed to providing a positive and userfriendly experience for all spectators with disabilities and is pleased to provide the following services:

• Accessible parking spaces for all vehicles having appropriate HD/DP license plates or placards will be reserved at all parking locations. Please see additional parking information under the Transportation section.

• Our Disabled Services Committee will be on-site to assist disabled spectators with transportation to and from Disabled Services Headquarters and specific grandstand locations and facilities throughout the golf course via multi-person golf carts.

• A number of motorized scooters will be available at Disabled Services Tents for spectators with disabilities on a first-come, firstserved basis, compliments of the USGA and Pride Mobility.

• A TDD will be available at the Disabled Services Headquarters Tent located at the U.S. Open Spectator Square.

• Accessible restrooms will be available at portable restroom locations throughout the championship grounds.

• Select concessions, merchandise tents, spectator experience areas and public phone facilities will be accessible.

First-Aid Stations

First-Aid Stations will be located at the U.S. Open Spectator Square (16th tee), Gate 2 (right of the 6th hole), Gate 3 (right of the 12th hole), adjacent to the practice facility at the West Course and Haverford College. All first-aid stations will be staffed with emergency medical technicians and will serve as cooling stations in the event of extreme heat. Complimentary water will be provided in all first-aid stations. If a medical emergency arises, please notify a U.S. Open volunteer or USGA official.

Junior Tickets

Juniors age 12 and under receive complimentary tickets, on any day, when accompanied by a valid adult ticket or

(continued)

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

SPECTATOR INFORMATION (cont.)

credential holder. These tickets will be available at the Will Call facilities and all admission gates. There is a two Junior ticket limit per adult ticket holder.

Juniors age 13 to 17 will be admitted at a reduced rate when accompanied by a valid adult ticket or credential holder. These tickets can be purchased at the Will Call facilities and all admission gates. Practice Rounds $15; Championship Rounds $35.

Please note that Junior tickets provide access into the Trophy Club when accompanied by an adult Trophy Club ticket holder but do not provide access into the 1895 Club or any USGA Corporate Hospitality facilities. However, tickets can be purchased for juniors to access the 1895 Club.

Monday, June 10 (Gates open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Tuesday, June 11 (Gates open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Wednesday, June 12 (Gates open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Championship Rounds 1 and 2

Play is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. from the first tee and 7:15 a.m. from the 11th tee. The last group will begin play at 2:42 p.m. from the first tee and 2:57 p.m. from the 11th tee.

Thursday, June 13 (first round) (Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)

Friday, June 14 (second round) (Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)

Championship Rounds 3 and 4

The first starting time will be determined by the number of players who make the cut at the conclusion of the second round (60 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 60th place). Generally, the first pairing begins play from the first tee between 8-9 a.m.; the last pairing for both days will start from the first tee at approximately 3 p.m.

Saturday, June 15 (third round) (Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)

Sunday, June 16 (fourth round) (Gates open 6 a.m. to conclusion of play)

Playoff

If there is a tie for the low score after 72 holes, an 18-hole playoff will be held on Monday, June 17. The playoff will begin at approximately noon and finish at approximately 4 p.m. Gates will open at 9:30 a.m.

Lost and Found/Missing Persons

Any lost and found items or missing persons will be taken to the Lost and Found/Missing Persons Headquarters located in the clubhouse parking lot beside Gate 1.

Merchandise Pavilion

The Main Merchandise Pavilion, covering 24,000 square feet, will be located in U.S. Open Spectator Square, adjacent to the 16th tee. A variety of merchandise bearing the U.S. Open logo will be available for purchase, including caps, golf shirts, T-shirts, jackets, lanyards, lapel pins, golf balls, ballmark repair tools, ballmarkers, towels and much, much more. Acceptable forms of payment are: U.S. dollars, traveler’s checks, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa and debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted. There will be two Satellite Merchandise tents: one will be located in the clubhouse parking lot and the other will be located adjacent to the 6th hole.

Hours of Operation:

Pre–Championship (Main Merchandise Pavilion only)

June 6-9 (Thursday through Sunday) 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Main Merchandise Pavilion is open to the public on pre-championship days. No tickets or credentials will be required to enter the Main Merchandise Pavilion during these days; however, the course will be closed to the public. Please follow directional signs for complimentary parking. During Championship Week (Main Merchandise Pavilion and the two Satellite Merchandise Tents)

June 10 – 16 (Monday through Sunday) 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Since the Main Merchandise Pavilion and Satellite Merchandise Tents are located on the championship grounds, you must have a U.S. Open ticket or credential to gain entry during championship week.

(continued)

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

SPECTATOR INFORMATION (cont.)

Security

We appreciate your patience and cooperation with all the U.S. Open’s security procedures. Spectators and other championship attendees will go through security screening prior to entering the championship grounds and will not be allowed to bring any of the items listed below. To expedite admission into the championship, it is recommended that all prohibited items are safely stowed prior to arriving at the championship. Please be sure to read the following list of prohibited items carefully:

• No Cell Phones (including any cell phones with photographic capabilities)

• No PDAs, Tablets and/or other Portable Email Devices

• No Noise Producing Electronic Devices (including MP3 Players)

• No Cameras (other than Monday through Wednesday for personal non-commercial photographic use only and without their cases; video recording is not permitted at any time)

• No Bags larger than 8”W x 8”H x 8”D in their natural state

• No Cases and/or Covers (such as chair or umbrella covers)

• No Signs, Posters and/or Banners

• No Televisions and/or Radios unless provided by the USGA

• No Food and/or Beverages except for medical or infant needs

• No Containers and/or Coolers except for medical or infant needs

• No Pets (other than service animals)

• No Lawn Chairs or Oversized Chairs (only portable compact chairs permitted)

• No Bicycles inside admission areas or on the championship grounds

• No Ladders and/or Step Stools or other similar items

• No Metal-spiked Golf Shoes

• No Weapons (regardless of permit, including but not limited to firearms or knives)

• No other items deemed unlawful or dangerous by the USGA and/or Championship Security Personnel, in their sole discretion

Spectator Safety and Etiquette

If you observe the following guidelines, your experience at the U.S. Open will be a more enjoyable one:

• Ple ase stay behind gallery ropes and follow directions of championship marshals at all times.

• Do not cross fairways except at designated crosswalk areas.

• Be considerate of others and kneel or sit if you are in the front row of the gallery.

• St ay quiet and stand still when players are about to hit or when instructed by marshals.

• To ensure your safety at all times, walk carefully and never run.

• The U.S. Open involves substantial walking on grassy hills, dirt paths and other uneven surfaces. Please wear appropriate footwear such as sneakers.

• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

• Sp ectators will be subject to expulsion and the loss of ticket privileges for the following breach of etiquette:

- Ma king rude, vulgar, or other inappropriate comments or gestures.

- Verb al or physical harassment of players, volunteers, officials, or spectators.

- Distracting a player or any disruption of play.

- Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, unsafe, or illegal in nature.

- Failing to follow the instructions of a championship official, volunteer, or security.

For more information on the 2013 U.S. Open spectator guidelines and for regular championship updates visit www.usopen.com.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

Trophy Club

The Trophy Club is an exclusive on-site, air-conditioned pavilion with live U.S. Open coverage located at Haverford College, approximately 400 yards from the clubhouse parking area and the 18th hole at Merion Golf Club. Trophy Club tickets are needed to access this tent. However, Junior tickets do provide access when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Food and beverages are available for purchase at an additional charge. Sample menu items include fruit, breakfast pastries and madeto-order breakfast sandwiches in the morning and fresh hand-sliced deli sandwiches, premium burgers and deluxe chicken and Philly cheese steak sandwiches in the afternoon. Coffee, soda, beer, wine and mixed drinks are available. Acceptable forms of payment are: U.S. dollars, traveler’s checks, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. Upscale, air-conditioned restrooms are conveniently located adjacent to the tent.

Hours of Operation:

June 10-16 (Monday through Sunday) 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

USGA Member Clubhouse

Designed just for USGA Members, and located at the U.S. Open Spectator Square near the 16th tee and across from the Main Merchandise Pavilion, this facility will be a place to meet featured guests and take advantage of special Members-only offers and opportunities throughout the week of the championship.

Access is exclusive to USGA Members and their guests.

Hours of Operation:

June 10-16 (Monday through Sunday) 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To know the Rules is to truly enjoy the game. Please visit the USGA Member Clubhouse to test your knowledge of the Rules.

U.S. Open Spectator Square

Please be sure to visit this exciting area by the 16th tee during the championship. The Main Merchandise Pavilion will be located here along with the USGA Member Clubhouse, American Express Championship Experience, Lexus Performance Drive Pavilion, Chevron STEM Zone™ and food court. All spectators are welcome to enjoy the activities and excitement this area offers.

U.S. Open Website and Mobile Products

The official website of the 113th U.S. Open Championship is usopen.com. Golf fans can catch all the action with realtime scoring, live HD video streaming and the best in news, course photos and statistics. Fans can also experience our national championship via mobile web (m.usopen.com) and U.S. Open mobile and tablet apps.

Wish you could play at Merion Golf Club? Play the Virtual U.S. Open and experience each hole just like this year’s contestants. If you make the cut, you can qualify for a chance to win a trip to next year’s U.S. Open and Women’s Open Championships at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club.

Weather

Average June temperatures range from a high of 86 degrees to a low of 68 degrees. Please remember to wear sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.

The USGA will have meteorology staff on-site monitoring the possibility of inclement weather. If inclement weather is approaching, special “weather warning” signs such as the one to the left will be posted on leader boards around the course. When the sign appears, spectators are advised to take immediate precautions (including clearing grandstands) PRIOR to play being suspended. In the event of a weather warning, please avoid open areas, hilltops, high places, isolated trees, golf carts and wire fences. If play is suspended, indicated by one prolonged air-horn blast, please close your umbrella and seek shelter. In the event of a suspension of play, grandstands will be cleared immediately.

Will Call

Will Call facilities will be located on-site for spectators to drop-off andpick-up tickets at primary admission gates. Photo ID will be required to pick up any tickets left at Will Call. Will Call facilities cannot be accessed by vehicles at any time.

Hours of Operation

Pre–Championship (Will Call at U.S. Open Spectator Square) June 10-16 (Monday through Sunday) 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For parking, follow signs for the Pre-Championship Merchandise Opening.

During Championship Week

June 10-16 (Monday through Sunday) 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (continued)

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

TRANSPORTATION

Merion Golf Club is located in Ardmore, Pa., approximately eight miles west of Philadelphia. Visitor Information

For information about the surrounding area, please visit Delaware County’s Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau (www.brandywinecvb.org, 1-800-343-3983) or Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.valleyforge.org, 1-800-441-3549).

By Car

Free general spectator parking will be provided at Rose Tree Park (RED Lot) and PPL Park (BLUE Lot), located adjacent to I-476 and I-95, respectively. Please follow general spectator parking signage and/or directions from parking attendants to the designated parkinglocation. Complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided from both parking areas to and from Merion Golf Club.

Spectators utilizing I-76, I-476, I-276 or traveling from points west of Philadelphia are advised to proceed to the RED Lot. Complimentary shuttle bus transportation to and from the RED Lot and Merion Golf Club will be provided and should take approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Please note: Spectators parking at Rose Tree Park (RED Lot) will be required to cross a bridge and stairwells to access the course from the shuttle drop-off.

Spectators utilizing I-95 or traveling from points east (New Jersey Turnpike or I-295) are advised to proceed to the BLUE Lot. Complimentary shuttle bus transportation to and from the BLUE Lot and Merion Golf Club will be provided and should take approximately 35 minutes, depending on traffic.

For additional information, visit www.usopen.com or call the Transportation Hotline at 800-698-0661. In the event of inclement weather, please call the transportation hotline for further information regarding parking and shuttle service.

Please note: There is no general parking or disabled spectator parking available in the immediate vicinity of the golf course. All otherparking is by permit only.

The USGA is pleased to provide the following for our spectators with disabilities:

• All parking locations will have reserved accessible parking spaces for vehicles displaying appropriate HP/DP license plates or placards.

• Individuals requiring lift-equipped transportation are encouraged to contact the Transportation Hotline at 800-6980661 to obtain additional information regarding parking and transportation.

• Spectators utilizing SEPTA’s Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line requiring an accessible station are instructed to proceed to the Radnor Station. Spectators utilizing SEPTA’s Norristown High Speed Line are instructed to proceed to the Ardmore Avenue Station. Lift equipped transportation will be available from both stations for travel to and from the golf course.

Spectator Directions to Complimentary Parking at Rose Tree Park (RED Lot)

From points West of I-476 using I-76 Eastbound (Pennsylvania Turnpike – Toll Road)

1. Follow I-76 East to Exit 326.

2. Take Exit 326 (toll plaza) for I-76 East (Philadelphia/Valley Forge) and continue onto I-76 East for 4.5 miles to Exit 331A.

3. Take Exit 331A for I-476 South (Chester) and continue onto I-476 South for 10.6 miles to Exit 5.

4. Take Exit 5 for US-1 South (Springfield/Lima).

5. Keep right at the fork and merge onto US-1 South and continue for 1.4 miles.

6. Take the exit for PA-252 (Media/Newtown Square).

7. Turn right onto PA-252 North and follow directional signs to parking.

From points East of I-476 using I-276 Westbound (Pennsylvania Turnpike – Toll Road)

1. Follow I-276 West to Exit 20.

2. Take Exit 20 (toll plaza) for I-476 South (Philadelphia/Chester) and continue onto I-476 South for 15.4 miles to Exit 5.

3. Take Exit 5 for US-1 South (Springfield/Lima).

4. Keep right at the fork and merge onto US-1 South and continue for 1.4 miles.

5. Take the exit for PA-252 (Media/Newtown Square).

6. Turn right onto PA-252 North and follow directional signs to parking.

From points South using I-476 Northbound

1. Follow I-476 North to Exit 5.

2. Take Exit 5 for US-1 South (Lima/Springfield).

3. Keep left at fork and follow signs to US-1 South (Lima), continuing onto US-1 South for 1.4 miles.

4. Take the exit for PA-252 (Media/Newtown Square).

5. Turn right onto PA-252 North and follow directional signs to parking.

From points East & West of PA-252 using US-1

1. Follow US-1 to the Media Bypass (towards PA-252/Rose Tree/Upper Providence Township).

2. Take the exit for PA-252 (Media/Newtown Square).

3. Proceed north on PA-252 North towards Newtown Square and follow directional signs to parking.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 113TH U.S. OPEN

Spectator Directions to Complimentary Parking at PPL Park (BLUE Lot)

From points North & South using I-95 Northbound/Southbound

1. Follow I-95 North or I-95 South to Exit 4.

2. Take Exit 4 for US-322 East (Commodore Barry Bridge/ New Jersey) and continue onto US-322 East for 0.8 miles.

3. Take the first exit for PA-291 (Chester/Waterfront).

4. Turn right onto PA-291/2nd Street and continue for 0.2 miles.

5. Turn right onto Flower Street and follow directional signs to parking.

From points East using Northbound/Southbound New Jersey Turnpike (Toll Road)

1. Follow the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 2.

2. Take Exit 2 for US-322 West (Swedesboro/Glassboro) (toll plaza).

3. Turn left onto US-322 West and continue for 8.7 miles (crossing the Commodore Barry Bridge) (toll plaza).

4. Take the PA-291/US-13 exit (towards Chester).

5. Keep left at the fork and follow directional signs for PA-291/Waterfront.

6. Continue straight towards PA-291 and follow directional signs to parking.

From points East using I-295 Southbound (Toll Road)

1. Follow I-295 South to Exit 13.

2. Take Exit 13 for US-130 South (US-322 West/Commodore Barry Bridge) and continue onto US-130 South for 1.8 miles.

3. Take the ramp onto US-322 West (Commodore Barry Bridge/ Pennsylvania) and continue for 3.2 miles (toll plaza).

4. Take the exit for PA-291/US-13 (Chester).

5. Keep left at the fork and follow signs for PA-291/Waterfront.

6. Continue straight towards PA-291 and follow directional signs to parking.

From points East using I-295 Northbound (Toll Road)

1. Follow I-295 North to Exit 11B.

2. Take Exit 11B for US-322 West (Bridgeport/Commodore Barry Bridge) and continue onto US-322 West for 5.1 miles (toll plaza).

3. Take the exit for PA-291/US-13 (Chester).

4. Keep left at the fork and follow signs for PA-291/Waterfront.

5. Continue straight towards PA-291 and follow directional signs to parking.

By Public Transportation

Southeastern PA Transportation Authority (SEPTA) SEPTA offers two convenient options for those attending the U.S. Open – Regional Rail and the Norristown High Speed Line.

Regional Rail

Take the Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line to Rosemont Station. Customers using other SEPTA Regional Rail Lines can transfer to the Paoli Line at 30th St, Suburban, or Market East Stations. Complimentary shuttle bus transportation to and from the Rosemont Station and Merion GC will be provided and should take approximately 10 minutes. Spectators requiring an accessible station should take the Paoli/Thorndale Line to Radnor Station.

Please note: Spectators utilizing Regional Rail service to Rosemont Station will be required to cross a bridge and stairwells to access the course from the shuttle drop-off.

Norristown High Speed Line

Take the Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) to Ardmore Avenue Station. Customers can connect to the NHSL at 69th St. Transportation Center located in Upper Darby, or the Norristown Transportation Center. The Ardmore Ave. Station is within walking distance of the golf course. Follow the signs from the station to Gate 3 adjacent to the 12th hole.

SEPTA Fares

Regular fares apply. Round trip Regional Rail tickets can be purchased in advance online at shop.septa.org, at a SEPTA Ticket Office (cash, credit, or debit) or on the train from the conductor (cash only). Spectators using the Norristown High Speed Line or traveling on more than one Regional Rail Line may purchase a One Day Independence Pass for savings. Visit www.septa.org for schedule, fare, and location information or call 215-580-7800. Questions regarding the U.S. Open can be directed to the Transportation Hotline at 800-698-0661.

AMTRAK

Spectators attending the U.S. Open on Amtrak Northeast Corridor services will travel to the 30th Street Station located in Philadelphia, and connect to the SEPTA Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line (mezzanine level of 30th Street) for travel to Rosemont Station. Customers traveling on the Harrisburg Line can connect to the SEPTA Paoli/Thorndale Line at Paoli Station. Board a train towards Center City for service to Rosemont Station. Regular Amtrak/SEPTA fares apply.

Passenger, Taxi or Limousine Drop-Off Passenger, taxi or limo drop-off will only be allowed at the designated area located on Hannum Dr. in Ardmore, within a 5-10 minute walk of Gate 1 and the 18th hole. There is no parking or staging for vehicles, so please coordinate pickup times accordingly. Please follow signs and parking attendants to pick-up and drop-off location. Access is limited to no larger than a 15-passenger van or limo.

Bicycles

Bike riders are instructed to follow directions and signage to general spectator parking lots (RED Lot or BLUE Lot) or to the Passenger, Taxi, or Limo Drop-Off location on Hannum Drive. Bike racks will be provided to secure bikes at each location. Owners are responsible for the security of their bicycles.