Oakmont course remains virtually unchanged since 2007 U.S. Open
What's changed at Oakmont Country Club since the most recent U.S. Open in 2007?
Not a lot.
The players returning to the 2016 U.S. Open will find the playing conditions almost exactly the same as they were in '07 — very difficult.
While the changes to the course will be minimal, United States Golf Association executive director/CEO Mike Davis said the course will be set up like it was in 2007 when Angel Cabrera outlasted Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk.
“A lot of sameness,” Davis said. “I say that because we are playing it the same yardage as 2007. Every hole is exactly the same yardage and the same fairway widths and contours as we played in 2007.
“We'll have the same grass heights, the same green speeds, the same general pin locations and bunkering. We'll just have a few minor things.”
Just the things the professional golfers hate: a course they deem as too difficult. They are used to fairly flat greens, lower rough and shallower bunkers. Sprinkle in a little dampness, players can throw the ball at the pins and putt for birdies.
That won't be the case at Oakmont. The rough will be thick and deep, possibly 5 1⁄2 to 6 inches, and the greens will be like lightning.
Since the 1994 Open, more than 12,000 trees were removed from the course. Most went between 1994 and 2007.
If you haven't been to Oakmont Country Club since the 1994 U.S. Open, you might not recognize it.
Oakmont was restored to the Scottish-style links course Henry C. Fownes designed in 1903. The trees were planted in the 1960s to beautify the course. Adding the trees changed the look of the course, which Fownes would have hated.
Most of the trees were cut down before the 2007 U.S. Open.
After the latest cut, spectators can stand on the front porch of the clubhouse and see the front nine across the Turnpike.
“It's amazing what's been done,” said Oakmont resident Sean Knapp, who started as a caddie at the course before becoming one of the top amateur golfers in the area. “It's fantastic looking ... going back to its original design.”
Davis said Oakmont has done a fabulous restoration job returning the course to links style from the parkland look it had with the addition of the trees.
“We want the U.S. Open to be the ultimate test in golf, and we believe Oakmont really will identify that week's greatest golfer,” Davis said.
“You have to execute, and in terms of shot making, you've got to think strategically and manage yourself around this course, and you've got to be able to handle your nerves.
“The player who does those three things the best is going to make history and ultimately be crowned the 2016 champion.”
Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.
