Oakmont Renovation/Restoration
Sunday, October 31, 2004 at 10:47 AM Mike Dudurich in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review takes an in-depth look at the "restoration" of Oakmont in Pennsylvania.
"What we're doing is a renovation and restoration to what we think is a very historic venue," says Chris Donohue, chairman of Oakmont's greens committee.
"All of what we're doing is being done with an eye on returning it to the (Henry) Fownes design," said course superintendent John Zimmers, who was listed in the September/October edition of Golf Magazine as one of the 10 best superintendents in the world.
"We've been working toward that goal, and this is a continuation. But there are some things being done with the Open in mind."
Dudurich writes, "the bunkers will be deepened, widened and moved closer to fairways in some cases. And there will be some new bunkers added to the landscape as well."
The article also features the list of changes and includes two jaw-droppers:
No. 8 -- The possiblity exists that a new championship tee will be built in time for the Open, giving the USGA the option of having the course (sp?) play nearly 280 yards. As a par 3.
No. 12 -- The
603-yard par five may be lengthened at least for two rounds of the Open
if the USGA has its way. Players would tee off from the back of the
10th tee, making the hole measure 670 yards. Stay tuned for that one.
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