ROCHESTER | One look at the vast Oak Hill Golf Club complex reveals the spectacular nature of the 2019 renovation work on a masterpiece of American golf architecture. Andrews Green enabled the select New York club’s east course to launch the 2020s with momentum.
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And yet Oak Hill was already ranked among America’s finest golf courses before the architect decided to restore the original lines designed by designer Donald Ross in 1925. Green respected the game principles of the time by applying those of today.
So he redesigned all 18 greens, redesigned all fields and felled over a thousand trees to open up the playing space and encourage more aggressive strategies. That’s not all. He changed the layout by designing three new holes and added over 200 yards in total.
“The renovations were done to bring the course up to date,” said Kerry Haigh, director of the PGA of America Championships. Several access areas around many of the greens have been added and enlarged as part of the renovations. »
So there’s no point in going back in time and looking at the achievements of golfers in 2013 and 2003, because the course isn’t the same anymore. In this new era, Oak Hill earns the PGA of America Championship for the fourth time in its history.
According to the championship leader, despite a more open landscape, competitors still need to pay attention to precision from the tees to the greens. These are protected by long, thick grass and additionally feature deep pits strategically placed to tease powerful modern golfers.
Short answer
Challenged on the fringes of the championship to qualify for the spectacular East Course at Oak Hill, Scottie Scheffler gave a response that was as brief and meaningful as it was powerful.
“It is incredibly difficult to drop whoever is second in the world rankings. There are only two par 5s and they are over 600 yards long. »
“And on the 3rd flag, we hit a 3-iron on a green where it would be difficult to get a ball to the surface with a 7-iron,” added the American. It is undeniably a difficult course. There are a few holes to hold onto and try to salvage a few pars.
“The long grass is very stressful and the fairways are tight so it’s more difficult. With the announced weather forecast, it becomes a daily challenge. It will take patience. »
Similar to the winged foot
Some golfers, including Rory McIlroy, have compared Oak Hill to Winged Foot, the host of the 2020 US Open, which Bryson DeChambeau won thanks to his power.
However, Jon Rahm, winner of the Masters tournament and three other PGA Tour titles this season, thinks the two golf courses differ in terms of the options offered by the tees. However, Oak Hill’s greens are not as demonic as Winged Foot’s due to their bumpiness.
“Especially on the narrower holes you have to be precise when approaching the flags, because the boxes cannot be visited,” explained the world number one. A misplaced ball will not stay on the surface and requires a complicated cutting approach due to the bevels.
“You need a short game to create good scoring chances on this difficult pitch. Everyone will miss fairways and greens. Therefore, knowing how to save the normals with the short game is necessary. »
Max Homa believes that with the extensive renovations, Oak Hill will provide an ideal test for a Grand Slam championship.
Oak Hill | east course
- 7394 meters
- Normal 70
- Go | 3765 meters
- Previous | 3629 meters
The last step
Photo courtesy of PGA OF AMERICA
The final section promises to be twisty as the upper part of the main line gets crowded. Four par 4s of 450 yards will be linked together to determine the big winner. The best birdie chance is on the 16th flag. In conclusion, the par 4 of 497 yards is as spectacular as it is challenging. The pits, in addition to the trees that line both sides, protect the right side of the narrow fairway that is 20 yards wide and 300 yards from the mound. The forward-sloping green is protected by three deep pits to the right of the target and one to the left. The 18th, nicknamed “Goin’ Home”, offers a unique challenge to complete the layout.
Take out the muscles
Photo courtesy of PGA OF AMERICA
After a small par 4 of 405 yards, golfers must unleash their power without forgetting precision on the long par 3 of 230 yards at the third flag. Depending on the wind direction, they opt for long irons and even a fairway wood. Given the gusts in practice this week, Matt Fitzpatrick used a 3-Wooder. A shot in the middle third of the green should be preferred as deep bunkers protect the elevated green. Balls that are too short could fall into the sand.
double trouble
Photo courtesy of PGA OF AMERICA
Nicknamed ‘Double Trouble’, this long, 503-yard par 4 demands precision from tee to green. She leaves no room for blunders. Pits protect the left side of the fairway and Allens Creek skirts it on the right before crossing it about a hundred yards from the target. A shot in the wrong place immediately jeopardizes par if there are few birdies on that flag.