On June 18, the United States Golf Association (USGA) will begin hosting the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.
Before the championship, 110 golf courses or clubs — across 46 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico — will host qualifiers, too. Although most will be held at private facilities, some public courses and clubs will also host qualifiers, including the following five.
PAPAGO GOLF CLUB, PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Prior to hosting a U.S. Open qualifier on May 11, Papago Golf Club already has experience with USGA events. In particular, eight years after it opened, the club hosted the 1971 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.
“Papago’s iconic course was built with championship golf in mind,” says Daryl Crawford, general manager.
As Crawford reflects on why Papago Golf Club is so iconic, a variety of reasons stand out. First, as the home of Arizona State University’s men’s and women’s golf programs, the course is renowned for its beautiful setting. Likewise, it’s become very well known for its endless challenges, which will test all golfers.
“Golfers can see the red-rocked Papago buttes that surround the course from virtually every vantage point,” Crawford says. “There are no homes to block the backdrop of its serene desert landscape either.”
Furthermore, since the club is only 10 minutes from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, golfers can easily travel to it.
“It’s a perfect location,” Crawford adds.
THE BACKBREAKER AND HEARTBREAKER, RTJ GOLF TRAIL AT SILVER LAKES, GADSDEN, ALABAMA
On May 7, the RTJ Golf Trail at Silver Lakes will host its U.S. Open qualifier at two courses: the nine-hole Backbreaker and the nine-hole Heartbreaker. According to Jason Callan, director of golf, several aspects stand out about both courses, aside from their names.
First, the Backbreaker has generous, wide landing areas off of each tee box. However, once golfers hit their drives, the course becomes difficult, as its green complexes are elevated and multi-tiered — some are even 30-plus feet above each fairway, in fact.
Meanwhile, the Heartbreaker is playable for golfers of all skill levels until the last three holes. Featuring water on each one, the Heartbreaker’s finishing three holes also have elevation changes that will challenge even the most skilled golfers.
“Each course’s greens are large, multi-tiered and generally fast,” Callan says. “Wind is consistently a factor and risk/reward is legit. The combination of courses constantly trick golfers’ eyes and instincts.”
THE HOME COURSE, DUPONT, WASHINGTON
On May 4, The Home Course will host a USGA event yet again, following suit with the U.S. Men’s Amateur, the U.S. Men’s Four-ball Championship, the Women’s Public Links Championship and the Women’s Four-ball Championship.
Whenever it’s hosted such events before, golfers were awestruck by the course’s setting, first and foremost, according to Justin Gravatt, general manager.
“It offers sweeping views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier, creating a striking Pacific Northwest backdrop throughout the round,” Gravatt says. “The layout is intentionally designed to be fully walkable too, allowing golfers to take in those views while experiencing a traditional, flowing routing.”
Aside from its setting, The Home Course is renowned for providing golfers “championship-quality conditions,” while remaining fully accessible to the public as well— “a rare combination in modern golf.”
“It’s also cooperatively owned and operated by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and Washington Golf, making it a central hub for the region’s golf community,” Gravatt says.
THE LINKS AT GREYSTONE, WALWORTH, NEW YORK
As director of golf Dustin Odenbach looks ahead to The Links at Greystone’s U.S. Open qualifier on May 12, he’s especially excited about golfers enjoying the course’s natural terrain.
“The Links at Greystone is best known for its rolling hills, high overlooks and rock walls amongst the water,” Odenbach says.
A Scottish-style links course, it received a 4.5/5 star rating from Golf Digest shortly after it opened in 1995. This rating was likely due to the course’s landscape, along with its variety.
“With five sets of tees and a course measuring from 4,820 to 7,194 yards, it offers a great experience to players of all abilities,” Odenbach says. “The elevation changes and dramatic scenery make every round memorable.”
Providing a 113-yard-long double green that connects the ninth and 18th holes, the course “rewards thoughtful play, but punishes poor decisions,” according to Odenbach. Yet, it’s “always fair and fun. It’s also a premium public facility that feels like a private club — without the exclusivity.”
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
Simply put, the UNM Championship Golf Course was created for championship golf, according to Eric Parr, director of golf operations.
After all, it has hosted events like the Korn Ferry’s Q-School, the Pacific Coast Amateur and various NCAA tournaments. So, there is little surprise that it’s hosting the U.S. Open qualifier on May 6 as well.
“You name it, this is the course to host such competitions in New Mexico,” Parr says.
Highly challenging, the course’s rolling terrain is “unrelenting,” according to Parr. For instance, many holes provide uphill approaches to greens. Putting surfaces are often large, yet tricky, thereby further challenging golfers as they determine their club selections.
Additionally, since the course is 7,555 yards long from the back tees, golfers are often tempted to use their drivers on nearly every hole. However, if their drives are errant, they may record some high scores.
“Golf is humbling, and the UNM Championship Golf Course can humble any golfer,” Parr says.