Oakmont East Golf Course will not be open for play in 2008.
The 18-hole public layout, which borders historic Oakmont Country Club's 3rd hole, was closed for play in the fall of 2006 as preparations began in earnest for the 2007 U.S. Open.
It has not opened in 2007 and, while no decisions have been made beyond 2008, the possibility exists that it may not reopen at all.
"With all of the considerations for the 2010 Women's Open (which will be held at Oakmont CC), at least for 2008, we are not going to open the Oakmont East golf course," said Oakmont CC general manager Tom Wallace. "It would require rebuilding the course so that it's safe again for play and then it would be put back in use for the Women's Open. We need a clearer picture about what the footprint will be for the Women's Open before we make any long-term decisions. We're reviewing all options."
Wallace said one of the considerations for making the announcement now was to allow golf leagues to make alternate plans for next year.
"We're just trying to make the right decision in the best interest of the club and the community," said Larry Werner, Oakmont's communication chairman. "We look on it as an asset for future championships. We know we need that land for those and we also know that some leagues have already gone other places. We're looking at a lot of options and not opening Oakmont East again is a definite possibility. But we're contemplating a lot of things right now and what the long-term solution is, we just don't know."
Oakmont East was opened in 1938 by Emil Loeffler and John McGlynn. It measures 5,720 yards from the back tees.
