While this year’s PGA Championship was staged at Quail Hollow in North Carolina for only the second time in its history, the 125th US Open is returning to the venerable Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania from June 9-15 for what will be the Pittsburgh-based venue’s tenth staging of the championship.
Located just 15 miles from the centre of Pittsburgh, one of the reason that the US Open has been staged at Oakmont more than any other course is not hard to see at soon as you step foot on the property.
In fact, hard is the operative word here. Oakmont is hard with a capital H. And those pain-inflicting souls that run the US Open like their courses to be hard.
To get a basic understanding of how difficult the challenge Oakmont presents you only need to look at the scores from the last two stagings of the championship held there. In 2007, Argentina’s Angel Cabrera lifted the trophy with a winning score of +5, while Dustin Johnson was one of just four players in the 156-strong field to break par when he won in 2016.
And while it’s probably not a lot of fun to play – unless you like pain – it’s extremely entertaining to watch the world’s best golfers having to play their very best to make par and even be happy with bogey, just like we ‘normal’ golfers do week in week out.
Seeing first-hand how Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy extricate themselves from cavernous bunkers, escape from ankle-deep rough and navigate lightening quick greens is a lesson in itself, and well worth the price of a day ticket.
And while bagging a ticket to the US Open is no easy feat, getting a tee time at Oakmont is even harder, as you can only play it as a member’s guest.
Thankfully, there are plenty of other more welcoming and golfer-friendly courses in the Pittsburgh area on which to test your skills – whatever your handicap or experience levels.
THE PICK OF PITTSBURGH GOLF
While Pittsburgh’s proud sporting identity is forged around its beloved sports teams – Steelers (American Football), Pirates (Baseball), and Penguins (Ice Hockey) – this underrated, highly livable city may not, at first glance, seem like a hotbed of golf, but it holds an exalted place in golf history and has more than its fair share of excellent tracks.
In the public sphere, the best golf courses in Pittsburgh take full advantage of the rolling and hilly wooded terrain that dominates the Western Pennsylvania landscape, although you have to drive a little way beyond the city limits to get to them.
Olde Stonewall Golf Club, located 30 minutes northwest of Pittsburgh, was rated among the best new courses in the US when it first opened in 1999 and has regularly featured among the country’s top 50 public courses ever since.
With 15-minute tee intervals, golfers will have time to savour this superb track, whose front nine is laid out on rolling terrain sandwiched between a ridge and a creek, while the back nine sees raised tees hang on severe slopes held in place by giant blocks of limestone.
After your round, make sure you find time relax in the unforgettable and spectacular clubhouse which is designed in the style of a mediaeval castle.
Closer to the city, and in fact located right in the heart of it, is the Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park. With golf having been played here since 1897, ‘The Bob’, which is named after a former city mayor, is one of the oldest municipal courses in the US.
The 9-hole course, which measures just 2,400 yards, and features seven par-4s and two par-3s, is popular with beginners, families and children learning to play the game thought the First Tee programme, but for the visiting golfer it’s a delightful way to spend a couple of hours for the price of a couple of beers, with the green fee set at just $16.
A 25-minute drive south of the city will take you to the delightful 27-hole course at Lindenwood Golf Club in Canonsburg, where the three distinctly different loops of nine providing unique challenges, with Gold being the most forgiving, Red the longest, and the Blue being the most challenging. Finding the right combination is no easy choice – the Gold features fewer water hazards – so the best advice would be to play all three.
For golf on a grander scale, Speidel Golf Club at Oglebay Resort, which is nestled in the rolling hills of Wheeling, 60 miles west of Pittsburgh, is home to four golf courses, but the two championship-level layouts designed by Arnold Palmer and Robert Trent Jones Snr.
The former is a par-71 layout with six short holes and five par-5s and can play as long as 6,800 yards and as short as 4,200, so it’s designed to accommodate all levels of players, while the Jones course is a far more muscular design, stretching to 7,000 yards off the tips and covering some hilly terrain it’ll challenge all aspects of your game.
If time and stamina allows, Cranberry Highlands, a 25-mile drive due north of the city, is a public course with the private club vibe that boasts a superb 6,500-yard, links-style course with plenty of changes in elevation to keep things interesting.
While the publicly-owned courses at North Park and South Park, both of which are run by Allegheny County, are just a short run north and south of the city, offer stunning views and are both part of much wider public outdoor leisure facilities.
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC GOLF COURSES
OFF COURSE ACTIVITIES
When UK travelers think about must-visit destinations in the US cities like New York, Miami, and San Fransico often come to mind.
However, tucked away in western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh offers a unique and vibrant experience that combines rich history, a thriving arts scene, an eclectic food culture, outdoor adventures, and a strong sense of community.
Known as the ‘Steel City’ because of its industrial roots, Pittsburgh has evolved into a
modern, dynamic city that offers something for every kind of traveler.
If you’re looking for a destination that blends old- world charm with contemporary innovation, here are several compelling reasons to add Pittsburgh to your travel list.
ARTS
Pittsburgh is home to the seven- story Andy Warhol Museum, which celebrates the globally renowned artist who was born in the city. Holding the largest collection of Warhol’s work in the world, the exhibition includes his earliest drawings, illustrations and video output.
The impressive gift shop sells all kinds of ephemera inspired by Warhol’s art, including any number of items imprinted with tins of Campbell’s Tomato soup, from mugs and candles to lunch bags and tea towels, T-shirts and caps.
Pittsburgh’s cultural scene has been significantly shaped by the steel magnates of the past, such as Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick.
Their contributions can be seen in world-class institutions like the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History and The Frick Pittsburgh Museums & Gardens, which offer an impressive collection of art, fossils, and artifacts.
While the Heinz History Center does feature impressive ketchup displays, it’s six floors
of interactive exhibitions tell the story of the region’s industrial, cultural and sporting past.
RIDE THE INCLINES!
The Duquesne and the Monongahela Inclines are a pair of funiculars that zip up and down the steep slopes of Mt Washington every few minutes.
The ornate wooden cable cars, which retain all their original features, which are used by locals and tourists, provide spectacular views of the Pittsburgh skyline, especially at night, while the station at the top has an observation deck to help you take in more of those views.
You can make a loop using the two funiculars, going up one, walking along Grandview Ave for about a mile and coming down the other. Tickets cost $5 for a round trip.
BIKE THE BURGH
With 24 miles of riverfront trails and 446 bridges, there are plenty of ways to stay active in Pittsburgh.
The Great Allegheny Passage, locally known as the GAP trail, is a 150-mile path that connects to the C&O Canal Towpath leading visitors from Pittsburgh to Washington DC.
Rent a bicycle from Bike the Burgh and enjoy a leisurely ride along the Monongahela River. Speaking of bicycles, visit Bicycle Heaven Museum to see the world’s largest collection of two-wheeled, self-propelled transport — with nearly 6,000 bikes on display.
ARCHITECTURE MASTERPIECE
Fallingwater isn’t just a house—it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a stunning example of organic architecture, blending art, nature, and innovation.
Located about 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Fallingwater is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most iconic masterpieces.
Built in 1935, this architectural marvel is famous for its dramatic cantilevered design over a waterfall, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape.
Visitors can explore its beautifully preserved interiors and learn about Wright’s visionary philosophy.
General admission starts at $39, offering a rare chance to experience one of America’s greatest architectural treasures.
THRIVING FOOD SCENE
Pittsburgh’s culinary landscape is diverse and thriving, with options that cater to every palate.
From classic Pittsburgh sandwiches to high-end dining, the city’s food scene is constantly evolving.
Don’t leave without trying a Primanti Bros. sandwich, a Pittsburgh institution known for its unique combination of meat, tomato, coleslaw, and French fries stuffed between thick slices of Italian bread.
For a taste of the city’s multicultural heritage, explore neighborhoods like Bloomfield (Pittsburgh’s Little Italy) or the Strip District, where you’ll find an array of international markets, restaurants and food vendors.
Whether you’re in the mood for pierogies, Thai food, or authentic Middle Eastern dishes, the Strip District offers a little bit of everything.
If you want an local food insiders’ view, a ticket for the Burgh Bits & Bites Tour (burghfoodtour.com) is highly recommended, as their knowledgeable and friendly tour guides will make sure you visit all the best places and a get true taste of Pittsburgh hospitality.
SPORTS FANS’ HEAVEN
Whether you’re cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium, watching the Pittsburgh Penguins dominate the ice at PPG Paints Arena, or taking in a Pirates game at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh’s sports culture is like no other city in the US. Even if you’re not a die-hard fan of American Football, baseball or ice hockey, the atmosphere and energy during game days are contagious and worth experiencing, so be sure to snap up ringside seats well ahead of time.
A CITY OF SURPRISES
Pittsburgh is a city that defies expectations. It blends history, art, culture, and natural beauty in a way that few other US cities can.
Whether you’re a history buff, foodie, outdoor enthusiast, or sports fan, there’s something in Pittsburgh that will capture your heart. So, if you’re looking for your next adventure, Pittsburgh is ready to surprise you.
For the latest information about events and activities in Pittsburgh, check out visitpittsburgh.com
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