Merion Golf Club
Encyclopedia
Merion Golf Club is a private golf
club located near Ardmore, Pennsylvania
that is consistently rated by Golf Digest, among America's greatest golf courses, and will host the U.S. Open
in 2013. The club contains two courses: The West course, and the East Course, which is the more highly regarded.
The Merion Golf Club dates from 1896, when members of the Merion Cricket Club
(founded in 1865) opened a golf course in Haverford, Pennsylvania
. In 1910, the membership decided to build a new course and chose 32-year-old club member Hugh Wilson
, a Scottish immigrant, to design it. Merion East opened in September 1912, and the original course was closed. The West Course, also designed by Wilson, opened in May 1914. The Merion Golf Club did not officially separate from the Merion Cricket Club until 1941.
Hugh Wilson had never designed a golf course, so he went on a seven-month trip to Scotland and England to study British courses. Several features of Merion East are derived from famous British courses, not the least of which are Merion's distinctive Scottish-style bunkers, which are now known as the "white faces of Merion". Wilson's layout covers only 126 acre (0.50990436 km²) of land, a very small area for a golf course. It was ranked seventh in Golf Digest
s "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" in 2005, and Jack Nicklaus
has said of Merion East, "Acre for acre, it may be the best test of golf in the world."
Merion has held 17 United States Golf Association
(USGA) championship tournaments, more than any other course. The first two, the 1904 and 1909 U.S. Women's Amateur Championships, were held at the original Haverford course. The first USGA tournament held at the East Course was the 1916 U.S. Amateur, won by Chick Evans
. This was also the first time Bobby Jones
appeared in a national championship; he was 14 years old. Jones would win his first U.S. Amateur in 1924, also held at Merion.
In 1930, the U.S. Amateur was again played at Merion. Earlier that year, Bobby Jones had won the British Amateur
, British Open
, and U.S. Open
, so anticipation was high to see if he could complete the sweep of all four major championships
of the time. Jones played well, cruising through to the final 36-hole match against Eugene Homans. A gallery of 9,000 was on hand for the start of the match and swelled to 18,000 by the afternoon round, forcing the competitors to be escorted to the tees and greens. Following the morning round Jones was ahead by seven holes, and when both players parred the 11th hole Jones had an 8 & 7 victory (8 holes ahead with seven to play). Searching for words to describe the unprecedented feat, Atlanta newsman O.B. Keeler used the term "Grand Slam
", which has stuck ever since. Seven weeks after the tournament, Bobby Jones retired from competitive golf.
Merion's 1950 U.S. Open was also the site of Ben Hogan's
comeback, after a head-on collision with a bus in 1949 which shattered his pelvis and nearly killed him. On the 72nd hole (and 36th of the day), in extreme pain and facing a shot of over 200 yards (182.9 m) into the wind, Hogan needed a par to force a playoff. Hogan used a 1-iron to hit a superb shot which stopped on the distant green well within two-putt range, and made his par. Hogan then defeated Lloyd Mangrum
and George Fazio
in an 18-hole playoff the following day to win the tournament. Hy Peskin
's photograph of Hogan's 1-iron shot, taken from behind during Hogan's follow-through, is among the most famous pictures in golf. [Editor's note: this article originally stated that Hogan used a 1-iron, and that statement is echoed all around the web. But Hogan's own book, "Ben Hogan's Five Lessons," says that he used a 2-iron on that shot.]
Following David Graham
's win at the U.S. Open at Merion in 1981, it was felt by many that the relatively short course (about 6400 yards), small course area (which limits gallery size), and lack of grounds to hold corporate tents would preclude Merion from holding a major again. However, following some land acquisition nearby and lengthening of the course to 6846 yards (6,260 m), many of these concerns appeared to be addressed. After successfully holding the 2005 U.S. Amateur, the USGA awarded the 2013 U.S. Open to Merion.
Merion Golf Club was designated a National Historic Landmark
in 1992.
The wicker baskets came from a woman who wove similar wicker items that happened to live in proximity of the course. She donated the baskets which have been used as the tops of the pins since. Anyone who wins a USGA event at Merion receives a wicker basket top.
A lady in South Carolina is making the wickers. Soon the wickers are going to be made at the new maintenance facility at Merion Golf Club. Wickers are destroyed if the wicker baskets are broken. The golf course assistant superintendents collect the wickers every night, so they will not be stolen.
. The novel features a U.S. Open championship taking place at the Golf Club during which the son of Jack Coldgren, the golfer leading the pack, is kidnapped.
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
club located near Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Ardmore is a census-designated place in Delaware and Montgomery counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The population was 12,455 at the 2010 census...
that is consistently rated by Golf Digest, among America's greatest golf courses, and will host the U.S. Open
U.S. Open (golf)
The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
in 2013. The club contains two courses: The West course, and the East Course, which is the more highly regarded.
History
Merion Cricket Club
Merion Cricket Club is a private club in Haverford, Pennsylvania, founded in 1865. The current clubhouse is its sixth, the last four having been designed by Philadelphia architect Frank Furness and his partner, Allen Evans .-History:...
(founded in 1865) opened a golf course in Haverford, Pennsylvania
Haverford, Pennsylvania
Haverford is an unincorporated community located partially in Haverford Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA, but primarily in Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County, about west of Philadelphia. It is on the Main Line, which is known historically for its wealth. As of August 2009,...
. In 1910, the membership decided to build a new course and chose 32-year-old club member Hugh Wilson
Hugh Irvine Wilson
Hugh Irvine Wilson was a golf course designer. He is most famous for designing Merion Golf Club, consistently ranked among the top golf courses in the country. Wilson also finished the last four holes at the famous Pine Valley Golf Club.-Career:Wilson was a Scottish immigrant who was very talented...
, a Scottish immigrant, to design it. Merion East opened in September 1912, and the original course was closed. The West Course, also designed by Wilson, opened in May 1914. The Merion Golf Club did not officially separate from the Merion Cricket Club until 1941.
Hugh Wilson had never designed a golf course, so he went on a seven-month trip to Scotland and England to study British courses. Several features of Merion East are derived from famous British courses, not the least of which are Merion's distinctive Scottish-style bunkers, which are now known as the "white faces of Merion". Wilson's layout covers only 126 acre (0.50990436 km²) of land, a very small area for a golf course. It was ranked seventh in Golf Digest
Golf Digest
Golf Digest is a monthly golf magazine published by Condé Nast Publications in the United States. It is a generalist golf publication covering recreational golf and men's and women's competitive golf. Condé Nast Publications also publishes the more specialized , and Golf World Business. The...
s "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" in 2005, and Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus
Jack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
has said of Merion East, "Acre for acre, it may be the best test of golf in the world."
Merion has held 17 United States Golf Association
United States Golf Association
The United States Golf Association is the United States' national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the Rules of Golf. The USGA also provides a national handicap system...
(USGA) championship tournaments, more than any other course. The first two, the 1904 and 1909 U.S. Women's Amateur Championships, were held at the original Haverford course. The first USGA tournament held at the East Course was the 1916 U.S. Amateur, won by Chick Evans
Chick Evans
Charles E. "Chick" Evans, Jr. was a leading amateur golfer of the 1910s and 1920s. Evans was the first amateur to win the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur in one year, a feat he achieved in 1916. Evans went on to win the U.S. Amateur in 1920, while finishing runner-up three times...
. This was also the first time Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones (golfer)
Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr. was an American amateur golfer, and a lawyer by profession. Jones was the most successful amateur golfer ever to compete on a national and international level...
appeared in a national championship; he was 14 years old. Jones would win his first U.S. Amateur in 1924, also held at Merion.
In 1930, the U.S. Amateur was again played at Merion. Earlier that year, Bobby Jones had won the British Amateur
The Amateur Championship
The Amateur Championship is a golf tournament which is held annually in the United Kingdom. It is one of the two leading individual tournaments for amateur golfers, alongside the U.S. Amateur...
, British Open
The Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
, and U.S. Open
U.S. Open (golf)
The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
, so anticipation was high to see if he could complete the sweep of all four major championships
Men's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
of the time. Jones played well, cruising through to the final 36-hole match against Eugene Homans. A gallery of 9,000 was on hand for the start of the match and swelled to 18,000 by the afternoon round, forcing the competitors to be escorted to the tees and greens. Following the morning round Jones was ahead by seven holes, and when both players parred the 11th hole Jones had an 8 & 7 victory (8 holes ahead with seven to play). Searching for words to describe the unprecedented feat, Atlanta newsman O.B. Keeler used the term "Grand Slam
Grand Slam (golf)
The Grand Slam in golf is winning all the golf's major championships in the same calendar year.-The Men's Grand Slam:The Grand Slam in men's golf is an unofficial concept, having changed over time. In the modern era, The Grand Slam is generally considered to be winning all four of golf's major...
", which has stuck ever since. Seven weeks after the tournament, Bobby Jones retired from competitive golf.
Merion's 1950 U.S. Open was also the site of Ben Hogan's
Ben Hogan
William Ben Hogan was an American golfer, generally considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game...
comeback, after a head-on collision with a bus in 1949 which shattered his pelvis and nearly killed him. On the 72nd hole (and 36th of the day), in extreme pain and facing a shot of over 200 yards (182.9 m) into the wind, Hogan needed a par to force a playoff. Hogan used a 1-iron to hit a superb shot which stopped on the distant green well within two-putt range, and made his par. Hogan then defeated Lloyd Mangrum
Lloyd Mangrum
Lloyd Eugene Mangrum was an American professional golfer. He was known for his smooth swing and his relaxed demeanour on the course, which earned him the nickname "Mr. Icicle".Mangrum was born in Trenton, Texas...
and George Fazio
George Fazio
George Fazio was an American professional golfer and a golf course architect.Fazio, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a respected player in the mid-twentieth century and competed in seven Masters Tournaments from 1947 to 1954...
in an 18-hole playoff the following day to win the tournament. Hy Peskin
Hy Peskin
Hyman "Hy" Peskin was a Jewish-American photographer notable for several famous photographs of American sports people and celebrities published by Sports Illustrated and Life...
's photograph of Hogan's 1-iron shot, taken from behind during Hogan's follow-through, is among the most famous pictures in golf. [Editor's note: this article originally stated that Hogan used a 1-iron, and that statement is echoed all around the web. But Hogan's own book, "Ben Hogan's Five Lessons," says that he used a 2-iron on that shot.]
David Graham (golfer)
Anthony David Graham is a former professional golfer from Australia.Born in Windsor, Australia, Graham turned professional in 1962 at age 16 and spent much of his career in the United States, playing on the PGA Tour. Turning age 50 in 1996, he joined the Senior PGA Tour, later known as the...
's win at the U.S. Open at Merion in 1981, it was felt by many that the relatively short course (about 6400 yards), small course area (which limits gallery size), and lack of grounds to hold corporate tents would preclude Merion from holding a major again. However, following some land acquisition nearby and lengthening of the course to 6846 yards (6,260 m), many of these concerns appeared to be addressed. After successfully holding the 2005 U.S. Amateur, the USGA awarded the 2013 U.S. Open to Merion.
Merion Golf Club was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1992.
Wicker Baskets
On the East Course, all pins are topped with wicker baskets instead of the usual flags. As the story goes, when Hugh Wilson was in England studying their golf courses, he happened upon local sheep herders and their flocks. These shepherds held staffs that they used for herding, and the staffs all had wicker baskets at the top. In those baskets, they kept their lunch for the day so that no animals could get into it. Wilson decided to use the idea at Merion. One effect is that the baskets are visible no matter which way the wind is blowing — and also that they do not give the golfer any indication of wind direction at the green. They have been used since the course's opening, and are featured in the club's logo.The wicker baskets came from a woman who wove similar wicker items that happened to live in proximity of the course. She donated the baskets which have been used as the tops of the pins since. Anyone who wins a USGA event at Merion receives a wicker basket top.
A lady in South Carolina is making the wickers. Soon the wickers are going to be made at the new maintenance facility at Merion Golf Club. Wickers are destroyed if the wicker baskets are broken. The golf course assistant superintendents collect the wickers every night, so they will not be stolen.
Major Championships
| Year | Tournament | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
 Olin Dutra |
| 1950 | U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
Ben Hogan Ben Hogan William Ben Hogan was an American golfer, generally considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game... |
| 1971 | U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
Lee Trevino Lee Trevino Lee Buck Trevino is an American professional golfer. He is an icon for Mexican Americans, and is often referred to as "The Merry Mex" and "Supermex". He won six major championships over the course of his career.-Early life:... |
| 1981 | U.S. Open U.S. Open (golf) The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour... |
 David GrahamDavid Graham (golfer) Anthony David Graham is a former professional golfer from Australia.Born in Windsor, Australia, Graham turned professional in 1962 at age 16 and spent much of his career in the United States, playing on the PGA Tour. Turning age 50 in 1996, he joined the Senior PGA Tour, later known as the... |
Amateur championships
| Year | Tournament | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1904 | U.S. Women's Amateur United States Women's Amateur Golf Championship The U.S. Women's Amateur is the leading golf tournament in the United States for female amateur golfers. It is played annually and is one of the 13 United States national golf championships organized by the United States Golf Association . Female amateurs from all nations are eligible to compete... |
Georgianna Bishop Georgianna Bishop Georgianna Millington Bishop was an American amateur golfer. She was the winner of the 1904 U.S. Women's Amateur, played at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. She played for the Brooklawn Golf Club in Bridgeport, Connecticut... |
| 1909 | U.S. Women's Amateur United States Women's Amateur Golf Championship The U.S. Women's Amateur is the leading golf tournament in the United States for female amateur golfers. It is played annually and is one of the 13 United States national golf championships organized by the United States Golf Association . Female amateurs from all nations are eligible to compete... |
 Dorothy CampbellDorothy Campbell Dorothy Iona Campbell was the first internationally dominant female golfer. She was also known in her lifetime as Dorothy Hurd, Mrs. J.V. Hurd and as Dorothy Howe... |
| 1916 | U.S. Amateur | Chick Evans Chick Evans Charles E. "Chick" Evans, Jr. was a leading amateur golfer of the 1910s and 1920s. Evans was the first amateur to win the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur in one year, a feat he achieved in 1916. Evans went on to win the U.S. Amateur in 1920, while finishing runner-up three times... |
| 1924 | U.S. Amateur | Bobby Jones Bobby Jones (golfer) Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr. was an American amateur golfer, and a lawyer by profession. Jones was the most successful amateur golfer ever to compete on a national and international level... |
| 1926 | U.S. Women's Amateur United States Women's Amateur Golf Championship The U.S. Women's Amateur is the leading golf tournament in the United States for female amateur golfers. It is played annually and is one of the 13 United States national golf championships organized by the United States Golf Association . Female amateurs from all nations are eligible to compete... |
Helen Stetson |
| 1930 | U.S. Amateur | Bobby Jones Bobby Jones (golfer) Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr. was an American amateur golfer, and a lawyer by profession. Jones was the most successful amateur golfer ever to compete on a national and international level... |
| 1949 | U.S. Women's Amateur United States Women's Amateur Golf Championship The U.S. Women's Amateur is the leading golf tournament in the United States for female amateur golfers. It is played annually and is one of the 13 United States national golf championships organized by the United States Golf Association . Female amateurs from all nations are eligible to compete... |
Dorothy Porter Dorothy Germain Porter Dorothy Germain Porter is an American amateur golfer.Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dorothy Germain began playing golf at 11. She graduated from Beaver College, where she played field hockey... |
| 1966 | U.S. Amateur |  Gary CowanGary Cowan Gary Cowan is a Canadian golfer who has achieved outstanding results at the highest class in amateur competition.-Biography:... |
| 1989 | U.S. Amateur | Chris Patton |
| 1998 | U.S. Girls' Junior United States Girls' Junior Golf Championship The United States Girls' Junior Championship is one of the thirteen U.S. national golf championships organized by the United States Golf Association. It is open to amateur girls who are under 18 on the last day of the competition and have a USGA handicap index of 18.4 or less... |
Leigh Anne Hardin |
| 2005 | U.S. Amateur |  Edoardo MolinariEdoardo Molinari Edoardo Molinari is an Italian professional golfer. He is a two-time winner on the European Tour, 2005 U.S. Amateur champion, 2009 Challenge Tour Rankings leader, winner, with his brother Francesco, of the 2009 World Cup and a member of the 2010 European Ryder Cup team... |
International team competitions
| Year | Tournament | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Curtis Cup Curtis Cup The Curtis Cup is the best known team trophy for women amateur golfers, awarded in the biennial Curtis Cup Match . It is co-organised by the United States Golf Association and the Ladies Golf Union and is contested by teams representing the United States and "Great Britain and Ireland"... |
United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
| 1960 | Eisenhower Trophy Eisenhower Trophy The Eisenhower Trophy is a biennial world amateur team golf championship for men organized by the International Golf Federation. It is named for Dwight D. Eisenhower, the President of the United States when the tournament was first played, who was a keen amateur golfer. Recent tournaments have... |
United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
| 2009 2009 Walker Cup The 42nd Walker Cup Match was held September 12-13, 2009 at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, United States. Team United States won 16½ to 9½ for its third consecutive win.-Format:... |
Walker Cup Walker Cup The Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland... |
United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
Merion Golf Club in popular culture
Merion Golf Club plays a prominent part in the novel "Back Spin" by Harlan CobenHarlan Coben
Harlan Coben is an American author of mystery novels and thrillers. The plots of his novels often involve the resurfacing of unresolved or misinterpreted events in the past and often have multiple plot twists...
. The novel features a U.S. Open championship taking place at the Golf Club during which the son of Jack Coldgren, the golfer leading the pack, is kidnapped.