10 Intriguing & Lesser-Known Facts About Oakmont Country Club – Host of the 2025 U.S. Open

As golf’s ultimate test returns to Oakmont Country Club for a record 10th U.S. Open in June 2025, this legendary venue continues to unveil surprises even to diehard fans. From its bunker quirks to its split layout, here are some fascinating and relatively unheralded facts that underscore Oakmont’s enduring mystique:

1. A Century-Old Tournament Titan

1. Established in 1903 and opened in 1904, Oakmont is recognized as the oldest top-ranked U.S. course.
2. Since 1919, it has been home to 20+ national championships (including US Opens, Amateurs, PGAs & Women’s Opens); in 2025 alone, it hosts its 10th U.S. Open—more than any other venue.

2. The Only Club Divided by a Turnpike

1. Oakmont is one of the few major courses bisected by a highway—the Pennsylvania Turnpike cuts between holes 2–8 and the rest of the layout.
2. Footbridges built in 1920 (with a 1990s renovation) carry players and fans safely above rushing traffic.

3. Par 70—A Ruthless Archrival to Par

1. Unlike typical Par-72 setups, Oakmont is a Par-70, with only two par fives—offering fewer scoring chases and ramping up pressure.
2. For the 2025 Open, the course measures 7,372 yards, making it even more grueling than its 2016 configuration.

4. Stimpmeter Birthplace

1. The iconic Stimpmeter, used to measure green speed, originated here in 1935 after USGA official Edward Stimpson tested Oakmont’s unforgiving greens.

5. A Bunker Unlike Any Other

1. The infamous Church Pews bunker, spanning holes 3 & 4, spans ~100 × 50 ft with grass-topped ridges—one of fastest ways to ruin a shot.

6. Tree Removal & Link-Style Revival

1. Oakmont was once densely wooded from expansions in the 1950s–60s. A 2007 renovation removed thousands of trees to reclaim its original links-style identity.

7. Greens That Strike Fear

1. Composed of Poa annua, Oakmont’s greens are notoriously fast and treacherous—so much so, players quip that successfully two-putting here means you’ve likely climbed a leaderboard.

8. A Historic Bellwether for Champions

1. The course has seen historic winners like Ben Hogan (1953), Johnny Miller (63 in 1973), Ángel Cabrera (2007), and Dustin Johnson (2016).
2. In 1935, local hero Sam Parks Jr. leveraged his intimate course knowledge to clinch victory—his only major—by navigating Oakmont’s infamous bunkers.

9. A National Historic Landmark

1. Beyond golf, Oakmont’s Tudor-style clubhouse earned National Historic Landmark status in 1987, reflecting its architectural and cultural significance.

10. Greenway & Gallery Juggling for 200K Fans

1. Oakmont will welcome up to 200,000 spectators during tournament week. Expect major traffic control and designated parking zones to manage the crowds

Oakmont Country Club stands as a testament to pure, unyielding golf tests, built on tradition and grit. Its quirks—from split layouts to sandy pew bunkers—make it a fitting stage for the world’s premier golfers. As the 125th U.S. Open unfolds on Father’s Day weekend, all eyes will again focus on what this Pennsylvanian gem dem