US Open week is upon us. I confess that I love the US Open. I love everything about it. I’m like a kid waking up on Christmas morning. In total I have attended 30 Opens in various capacities: spectator, USGA staff member and rules official. I attended my first Open in 1959 at Winged Foot Golf Club. I don’t remember a whole lot (I was 11). I do recall getting Ed Sullivan’s autograph. In 1963 I went to the Open at The Country Club in Brookline, MA. Having grown up in Massachusetts this was a big deal. My father’s favorite Julius Boros, or Big Juli as he was known won in a three way 18 hole playoff over Jacky Cupit and Arnold Palmer on Sunday, yes I said Sunday. Until 1965 36 holes were played on Saturday. None of that excitement mattered to me because my favorite was Tony Lema. When he hit a bunker shot from behind 17 green from a lie that forced him to stand with one foot out of the back of the bunker, I was in love. It was the most beautiful shot I had ever seen. In 1977 I was hired by the USGA and my first day of work was Monday of Open week. I got on a plane in Newark and flew to Tulsa. That was the Hubert Green death threat Open at Southern Hills which he won by one stroke over Lou Graham the 1975 Champion. I worked as a staff member for the next four Opens with 1981 being the last. In 1987 I was thrilled to be invited to be a rules official. I was fortunate to serve in that role for twenty more Opens over the years with 2013 at Marion being the last. I have met so many wonderful people over the years and have some great memories from all those Opens.
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Steve FoehlAfter nearly forty years in golf administration including the last twenty-five as Executive Director of the New Jersey State Golf Association, Steve Foehl has a wealth of knowledge and experience to provide to clients. Archives
July 2024
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