Sports History
Par For The Course
By Anne Madarasz

"The one feature of this course that is most obvious and immediately awe-inspiring is the veritable Sahara of sand that covers the landscape."
- Sports Illustrated, June 11, 1962

All eyes in the golfing world will be on Pittsburgh this June when the U.S. Open makes its historic eighth appearance at Oakmont Country Club.

Golf has a long history in this region, coming to Pittsburgh by way of Scotland. Early promoters encountered the sport while traveling in Scotland or seeing it played by Scots. The lure of the outdoors helped to popularize the game, especially among industrial and commercial leaders such as Andrew Carnegie and Henry Frick. Their influence advanced golf's appeal in Pittsburgh's affluent communities.

While golf had roots with Pittsburgh's wealthiest residents, it rapidly caught the attention of others. Office workers played on public links such as the Schenley Park Golf Course, which welcomed the public in 1910. Some belonged to the less expensive clubs, such as Castle Shannon Country Club, which charged an annual membership fee of only $40 in the early 1920s. In 1923, the Pittsburgh Post reported that golf was making tremendous strides locally, with players numbering more than 40,000. Golf fever had infected the Steel City.

Construction at Oakmont began in 1903 when industrialist and owner of the Carrie Furnace Company, Henry C. Fownes, applied his new passion for playing golf to golf course design. With no prior experience, he and his son William created one of the most remarkable courses in the United States, one which still challenges elite golfers today. Inspired by the barren appearance of traditional Scottish links, Fownes chose a wind-swept hilltop outside the town of Oakmont and began construction. Within a year all 18 holes were laid out and the clubhouse built.

William (W. C.) was appointed to the grounds committee and embarked on a personal campaign to make the course more challenging. His motto became, "A shot poorly played should be a shot irrevocably lost."

Within its first few decades, Oakmont had more than 300 bunkers crafted of furrowed, coarse Allegheny River sand, testing even the most competent golfers. The demanding terrain made Oakmont a world-class course. The Club has hosted 19 national championships: seven U. S. Opens, one U. S. Women's Open, three PGA Championships, five U. S. Amateurs, and three Intercollegiate Championships.

Anne Madarasz is the Director of the Western PA Sports Museum, where visitors can try their hand at a miniature version of the church pews hole at Oakmont. After making par, immerse yourself in the history of this renowned club.