Harmony Ridge GC in Harmony Township, Pa. shares architectural roots with the storied Oakmont Country Club that’s a half-hour away, but little else. But it has survived challenges that have closed other courses in the area, and its owners are planning a new clubhouse to replace one destroyed by fire three years ago, as part…
Merion GC’s Wicker Basket Emblem Wins “Logo Madness” Poll
In a nod to college basketball’s “March Madness,” PGA Tour pro Zac Blair and “The Fried Egg” website had social-media followers cast votes for “Logo Madness” bracket pairings. Merion GC’s iconic flagstick logo ousted Winged Foot GC’s in the final; other clubs that made the “Final Four” included Pasatiempo GC and Sleepy Hollow GC.
Ushering In Upscale Ice Cream
For Gulf Stream GC and Oakmont CC, small-batch, homemade ice cream is the perfect component for creative a la carte desserts. Ice cream is a highly social and nostalgic sweet that members crave.It’s also the perfect canvas that lets club pastry chefs experiment and create upscale a la carte desserts. At Gulf Stream Golf Club…
Superintendent of Oakmont (Pa.) CC Goes to Inverness Club
John Zimmers, who has cared for the greens at Oakmont for the past 18 years, is leaving to take on the same position at the Toledo, Ohio club, replacing Chad Mark, who is now Head Superintendent of Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.
USGA to Eliminate Penalty for Balls Accidentally Moved on Putting Greens
The new local rule will go into effect January 1, 2017. Though both the USGA and The R&A had been discussing the issue for a long time, Dustin Johnson’s one-stroke penalty in the final round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club accelerated the process.
Extending the Legend at Baltusrol GC
Behind the scenes of Jimmy Walker’s dramatic win at this year’s PGA Championship was the equally compelling—but not as surprising—tale of how the storied New Jersey club once again met all challenges to reinforce its preeminence as a major venue.
St. Clair CC Celebrates 100 Years
The Pittsburgh, Pa., club, which opened in 1916 as a merger of Castle Shannon Golf Club and Mt. Lebanon Country Club, hosted a centennial celebration on September 10, which also honored Phil Newcamp, who is retiring in October as the longest tenured golf professional in the club’s history.
Jacobsen Celebrates 95th Year
The Textron Inc. company was founded in 1921 by Oscar Jacobsen with a mower intended for “the vast estates of millionaires” that boasted a cutting capacity of “four acres a day.” Two years later, the company introduced the world’s first cast aluminum professional greens mower for golf courses.
Oakmont (Pa.) CC Lands 2025 U.S. Open
As the storied western Pennsylvania club wrapped up another successful hosting of the 2016 Championship, the United States Golf Association announced that it will only have to wait nine years for the next one. It was also announced that Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southhampton, N.Y., will host the 2026 U.S. Open.
Oakmont (Pa.) CC Maintains “Very Brutal Test of Golf” with Jacobsen Equipment
The club’s staff discusses how it maintains green speeds over 13 and 14 feet, maintain 210 bunkers and keep 300 acres looking picture-perfect year-round, not just for this week’s U.S. Open.
Search and Consulting Firm Adds New Partner, Changes Name
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Kopplin & Kuebler has announced a new partner—Thomas B. Wallace III, CCM, formerly General Manager of Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club and The Club at Mediterra—and a new company name, Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace.
Auction of Masters Tournament Memorabilia Yields Record Sales
The annual auction held on TheGolfAuction.com site included the sale of a Masters flag signed by 34 past Masters champions for a world-record $11,460. The site is now gearing up for its next auction around the U.S. Open and is soliciting submissions to be sold.
McMahon Group Recognizes Clubs of Excellence™
All past and future clubs associated with the managers who have won Excellence in Club Management Awards recognition will be honored at the annual reception and dinner during the CMAA World Conference.
Oakmont CC Removes 26 Acres of Turf for Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
The Glendale, Calif. club expects to reduce annual water consumption by 25% by using a sand-and-rock mixture with native plants, primarily in rough areas. The changes cost $2.3 million and took four months to install, with as many as three holes closed at a time.
Christopher Hampton Named New GM/COO at Lakewood CC
Previously GM of Bayville GC in Virginia Beach, Va. and Assistant GM at Oakmont (Pa. CC), the fourth-generation club manager will return to his native Ohio in time to help the Westlake, Ohio club prepare for a Web.com tour event in June.