The US Open’s iconic Oakmont Country Club, set to host the 156-man field this week, has a unique history of tree removal that sparked debate among golf enthusiasts. Decades ago, under the cover of night, the course began removing trees, which led to a trend in modern golf design.
Scottie Scheffler recently mentioned his dislike for the trend, citing that it leads to “bomb and gouge” golf, where players hit drives as far as possible, then try to escape from rough shots. He believes that removing trees makes the game less challenging, with the only barrier being the green itself.
Oakmont’s layout is notorious for its deep bunkers, serpentine drainage ditches, and lightning-fast greens, which have produced winning scores of 5-over par and 4-under par in recent years. The course has undergone renovations, including a 2023 project that made greens bigger, but did not alter the fairway width.
The tree removal project was initially met with resistance from members and golf enthusiasts. Architect Henry Fownes had planted thousands of trees to reduce noise and views of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which bisects the course. However, the trees became a maintenance issue, as their roots overgrew bunkers and competed with grass for oxygen and sunlight.
Golf experts agree that too many trees can be detrimental, posing risks such as overgrown roots, shade, and reduced turf maintenance. Jack Nicklaus, however, believes that tree removal should only occur when necessary, citing that it can alter the character of a course.
As Oakmont prepares to host its record 10th US Open, golf enthusiasts will observe whether the treeless design has an impact on play. With Bryson DeChambeau’s recent victory at a tree-removed course, it remains to be seen if the trend of removing trees in modern golf will continue.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/oakmont-us-open-scheffler-trees-330c0ef5e0226a70681cdd304ae934fb