next month
By Dan Murphy
The U.S. Open Golf Championship will return to Westchester County,
and the legendary Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, on September
17-20. Unfortunately, due to ongoing health and safety concerns from the
COVID-19 pandemic, the 120th U.S. Open will be conducted without
spectators on-site.
“Following months of consultation and scenario planning with local
and state health officials, we have jointly decided that hosting the U.S.
Open without spectators will provide the best opportunity to conduct
the championship safely for all involved,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the
USGA.
“I am pleased to welcome the USGA for the U.S. Open Championship
at Winged Foot Golf Club this September, and while the tournament will
look different this year with no fans and enhanced safety protocols, this
event is a welcome sight for sports fans across the country and will help
restore a sense of normalcy as we build back better than before,” said Gov.
Andrew Cuomo.
All fans seeking a greater connection to the championship are encour- aged to join the recently launched Victory Club, the first-ever fan club
dedicated to the U.S. Open. Membership is free and fans can celebrate the
U.S. Open all year long with virtual experiences, engaging content and ex- clusive offers. The Victory Club will offer more access to the championship
than ever before. For more details, visit https://www.usopen.com/victory- club.html.
The last time the US Open was played at Winged Foot was in 2006, and
Phil Mickelson was leading heading into the 18th hole on Sunday. Ready
to win his first US Open, Phil had one of his legendary melt downs, scoring
a double bogey 6 on the final hole, and handed the major championshp to
Geoff Ogilvy.
Other US Open’s at Winged Foot include 1984 with Fuzzy Zoeller the
winner, 1974, Hale Irwin the winner, 1959 with Billy Casper the winner,
and 1929 with Bobby Jones the winner. Jones is considered one of the three
greatest golfers of all time, with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
Davis Love III won the PGA Championship, another golf major at
Winged Foot in 1997.
Winged Foot was designed by legendary Golf Archtect A. W. Tillinghast, and two, 18 hole courses make up the club. The West Course is where
all of the championships are played.
Winged Foot is one of a few Westchester golf courses, that all of us
dream of getting to play once in our lives. It is among the toughest clubs
to get a tee time for, and with very few golf outings played there, most at a
cost of up to $750.00 per ticket for charity outings, the intrigue about play- ing 18 holes there adds to the legend.
There are several great golf clubs in Westchester, but maybe only two
or three that match up with Winged Foot. I would put Wygakyl and West- chester County Club up there, and maybe throw in Siwanoy and Quaker
Ridge. And anywhere that Bob Jones played, which would included
Knowlwood and Leewood, on the second tier.
Email us if we missed any at dmurphy@risingmediagroup.com
