Thursday
24May2007
"With that tree in place, we were limited to 2,100 spectators [in the grandstand]."
Thanks to The Big K for this Gerry Dulac story on the distance explosion claiming another victim, albeit one tree, but it is fascinating how these things work.
The fallen tree was the lone sycamore that stood in a cluster of six trees -- known as the Oak Grove -- behind the 18th green and 10th tee. Oakmont president Bill Griffin said the tree was removed to allow for more grandstand space behind the final hole."It was going to be very difficult to build [a grandstand] around that tree to get the seating arrangements around the 18th green," Griffin said. "With that tree in place, we were limited to 2,100 spectators [in the grandstand]."
In the 1994 U.S. Open, Oakmont was able to seat 4,100 people in the grandstands around the 18th hole. But, because of the new back tees at Nos. 10 and 12, a grandstand could not be built on the left side of the 18th green this year.
At a special board of governors meeting May 14, Oakmont officials were not only concerned about fewer seats, but also the perception from television viewers that the tournament had outgrown the historic venue. By removing the tree, an additional 1,000 spectators can be seated around the green.
"We felt it was the right thing to do and we wanted to make sure it had the right look," Griffin said.
Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 03:01 PM
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Reader Comments (6)
Karmically, they need to plant two for every one they cut down.
As an FYI, it appears that a similar path is being taken with Bethpage Black. When the course reopened this spring were were interested to see that all the trees behind the 4th green are gone. A more meaningful collection area was built aorund the back of number 4 as well. This also opened up the green to a lot more wind coming down from the 5th hole, and better sunlight for the grass on the green.
Personally I like it much much better, a couple of my playing partners are not so inclined.
Yesterday we noticed that some serious clearing was done all the way down the right side of number 12...looks better too.
I suspect that this is just a start. While I'm doubtful that it's a primary motivator, this clearing effort will in fact allow for much more room for spectators - including a grandstand behind #4 if they choose to place it there!
ES