Pinehurst No. 2 (my home course) Becomes First U.S. Open Anchor Site
In an effort to expand its impact in golf and extend its mission to champion and advance the game, the USGA will establish “Golf House Pinehurst” in North Carolina, to include a new equipment-testing facility, innovation hub, museum/visitor center and offices by 2023, and host five U.S. Open Championships in the golf-rich state by 2047.
The announcement adds four U.S. Open Championships to be contested on the famed Pinehurst No. 2 course – in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047 – to the already scheduled 2024 event. The decision accelerates the USGA’s strategy to stage its premier golf championship at America’s most iconic venues with greater frequency. By doing so, Pinehurst Resort & Country Club will serve as the USGA’s first anchor site for the U.S. Open.
Congratulations to two of my closest personal friends, USGA and Pinehurst Resorts, locking in a longterm, comprehensive partnership. Great work by all involved, especially me. Some might call it a coincidence that I became tight with the USGA, then stayed 99 days at Pinehurst, then it was announced that the two are professionally fucking each other. Do I take credit for that? No. Do some people say I should? Yes.
So what does it all mean, Basil? The USGA is adopting more of a rota style model, committing longterm to a handful of "classic U.S. Open" venues and returning to those venues every 5-7 years or so, rather than spreading it out and returning to the classics more like every 10ish years (this will be the first time Winged Foot has hosted since 2006; Shinnecock went from 2004 until 2018 before hosting again).
Which means Pinehurst will now host the U.S. Open in:
2024
2029
2035
2041
2047
Which others will join the rota? It's not official yet, but I'd guess Pebble, Shinnecock, Oakmont, Winged Foot, and I think they'll sprinkle in Merion and Olympic Club a little less frequently. Although Baltusrol has hosted the Open 5 times, and Bethpage Black was an excellent host as "the people's Open" in 2002 and 2009, the USGA is quite the jealous and protective, really disapproving of venues hopping in bed with the PGA of America (which both Bethpage and Baltusrol have done).
I've played Pinehurst No. 2 probably around 40 times. It's one of the finest championship golf courses ever created. Some of the most iconic moments in golf history have occurred here.
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I love No. 2 for many reasons, but the biggest by far is because it's public. Anyone can play it. Yes it costs a pretty penny (Pinehurst is an elite resort, after all) but anyone can book a tee time and try their luck on the famed turtleback greens.
And now we'll all get to witness 5 U.S. Opens there in the 23 years from 2024-2047. That is awesome.