NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK 1903 OakmontLinks OOMARCH/APRIL 2006akmontakmont | WWW.OAKMONTCC.ORG

Welcome to our (New) House!

CONTENTS Most Important Dates! Page Page Saturday, April 15, 2006 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. First Person ...... 2 Social Scene ...... 7 From the Clubhouse ...... 3 Entertainment Schedule ...... 7 Town Hall Meeting Senior SWAT Debuts ...... 4 From the Grounds Up ...... 8-9 FOR MEMBERS! From the Shooting Grounds . . . 4 Kitchen Korner ...... 10 Bunker to Bunker ...... 5 Friday, April 21, 2006 From the Red Tees ...... 11 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. New Members ...... 5 SWAT Resumes ...... 11 From the Cellar ...... 6 In Memoriam ...... 11 Clubhouse Weakenders Meeting ...... 6 Grand Re-Opening Gala!

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks F IRST P ERSON

BY BILL GRIFFIN, CLUB PRESIDENT Golf season is finally arriving, Since we last hosted the U.S. Open in Phase I of our Clubhouse project is and it should be an exciting year 1994, much has changed. The Open has virtually complete. Now, it’s important to at Oakmont Country Club. Our grown in popularity and size, and this has understand what’s next in Phase II. fully restored “world class” golf impacted the planning and organization Phase II will begin after the golf season course will be ready to chal- of the tournament. To promote more in the fall of 2006 and will mostly involve lenge each of us. Phase I of the consistency year-to-year, the USGA now infrastructure throughout the first floor Clubhouse renovation will be oversees virtually all aspects of the Open of the Clubhouse. This will include level- completed by opening day, and Championship. ing the floors, some new furniture, floor and window treatments, light fixtures we have the excitement of With regard to ticket sales, each adult and new heating and air conditioning preparing for the 2007 U.S. member of Oakmont Country Club is systems. In addition, all electrical aspects Open Championship. eligible to purchase up to two (2) ticket of the Clubhouse will be updated. The restoration packages ($375 per package). Each of our Financially, the Club continues to do and the Clubhouse renovation members should have already received a extremely well. The fiscal year-end letter from our General Chairman, Mickey projects are the culmination of forecast projects positive cash flow from Pohl, explaining the member ticket policy the work of so many members, operations of $783,000, which is and a form which must be filled out and committees and boards over $500,000 favorable to plan. Food and sent directly to the USGA in Far Hills, the past several years. Much beverage operations, green fees and New Jersey. Junior members, between the thought and planning has gone lodging are all contributing significantly into these two major projects ages of 13 and 17, can purchase a ticket to positive operational results. Initiation and their completion is some- package at a reduced rate, and anyone fee revenues are forecasted to be $1.77 thing we should celebrate and twelve or under can get in free when million, also favorable to plan. Capital enjoy. One of the things that accompanied by an adult. Members will expenses for the year are projected at makes Oakmont so unique is receive the specifics of the junior ticket $5.8 million, largely a result of the golf the passion we all share for the policy directly from the USGA at a later course and Clubhouse projects. The net Club and the golf course. date. outstanding on our credit facility at fiscal year end is expected to be $960,000, That passion may raise our In addition, many of our members will which is $500,000 favorable to plan. level of excitement at times, volunteer, and there are special privileges associated with volunteering. To obtain but it always keeps us focused Other areas your Board of Governors additional tickets to the U.S.Open, multiple will address in this calendar year will on what’s important for the options are available to purchase tables or include a comprehensive review of our Club. tents. All in all, we expect our membership By-Laws, plans for future championships, Here are a few items that to be actively engaged in the Open and strategic options for Oakmont East, ways deserve special attention: well represented in attendance. to encourage more member play on the • Preparation for the U.S. Open golf course, and the planning associated General Chairman, Mickey Pohl has with Phase II and III of the Clubhouse • Phase I and Phase II of our done an outstanding job in working with and campus projects. Clubhouse project the USGA and organizing Group We hope you can join us for our Town • Financial condition of the Chairmen and other committee heads to Hall meeting in the new Ballroom on Club help us with the volunteer effort. We will Opening Day, Saturday, April 15th. We’ll need over 5,000 volunteers to assist us with • Board Initiatives in 2006 provide you with more detail on the golf the Open and we expect our members will • Our upcoming Town Hall course, Clubhouse, U.S. Open and all be an important part of that process. For meeting on Opening Day. of our plans. Again, it should be an any member who is interested, there will be exciting year at Oakmont. an opportunity to participate. Look forward to seeing you at the Club.

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB — 2 — MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks

BY TOM WALLACE, GENERAL MANAGER elcome back everyone! our Ala carte and Banquet services. If you clubs out there, but I cannot The #1 question on everyone’s prefer to make your reservations as you think of a better time to be the W mind is: “When will we re-open always have in the past, that is fine too. manager of what is, in my the new addition?” The webpage reservations system is just an opinion, the greatest Club in the We are pushing hard to do just that and additional option. country. Why? Well here are four we believe our planned April 1st opening is real important reasons: realistically possible — right on time. The #1 Standard Operating Procedures The Membership - Oakmont’s comment we receive is: “The new entrance Receiving Online Event Reservations membership is the benchmark looks great!” Everyone sees this new • Go to www.oakmontcc.org and log in for truly great memberships. appearance as a much more appropriate • Open the Calendar One lesson I learned early in my club management career was entrance for such a special Club. • Click on the event you wish to attend that the members are the founda- In the last two months, we have been very • Click Sign up Here! at the bottom of the tion of a great club. It is people busy upgrading our technology systems page that set clubs apart from the (Northstar) billing, point-of–sale, account- • Enter your name, the number of people ordinary. Whenever I describe ing, mailings, etc. This has really proved to in your party and any special instructions my membership to my peers, I be a big job but it will produce even bigger • Click Save Registration use one word… passion! dividends for our Club. Our previous Passion for tradition, passion for system’s technology was almost 15 years • Your table will then be reserved and a championship golf, and passion old and severely limited our ability to give confirmation e-mail will be sent to your for fellowship. These passions our members the first-class service and inbox come together harmoniously at billing technology that they deserve. As Standard Operating Procedures Oakmont Country Club, and with any conversion of this type, there will Online Surveys that sets us apart from other be some “bumps in the road,” so we ask 1. Log-in to www.oakmontcc.org clubs, in my opinion. for your patience and understanding. 2. Click Surveys on the left navigator The Staff - Our staff is absolutely Please understand that our goal is to 3. You can take either the Event Survey or the best, hands down. I could have NO mistakes. But, check your invoices the Service Survey write a book about the abilities closely to help us help you. Jim Springborn a. To take the Event Survey, of Oakmont’s storied staff, both and his staff are very capable and will take Click Event Survey long-tenured and new alike. care of you if you do have a problem. And b. To take the Service Survey, They share a passion not unlike of course, my office door is always open. Click Service Survey the membership. A “passion for The short-term inconvenience will be far c. Fill in all of the questions that you excellence.” I recently conducted out-weighed by this new technology. would like to answer. a Team Experience Exercise Expect updates about online billing access, d. Click Submit Survey wherein we estimated the number improved member knowledge data and e. You have now submitted the survey of years of experience each of our much more in the months to come. and the survey will be e-mailed to the managers or department heads On another technology note, in April, correct person at the Club. possess in their respective areas via the Club webpage (www.oakmontcc.org) of expertise. Did you know that you will have the ability to sign-up for Club Annual Club Managers Conference if you added up all their experi- events. (see instructions that follow). ence, we have over 400 years of This year, for the first time in a couple of Because member feedback is so valuable years I was able to attend the Annual Club attending to the needs and and so important to us, we have also posted Managers Conference. Every time I return desires of country club members. two dining surveys that can be filled out from that convention, I am reminded of If we added the entire staff, we online via the webpage. The results of just how lucky I am to be at Oakmont could easily double that figure. these surveys will enable us to improve both Country Club. There are truly some great CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB — 3 — MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks News from the Shooting Grounds BY BARRY SHEER,CHAIRMAN OCC SHOOTING COMMITTEE OAKMONT WINS 2006 QUAD CLUB SHOOT! The Quad Club Shoot, clay target shooting’s equivalent of the Diebold Cup, was contested March 4, 2006 at the Longue Vue Club. Competing in this shoot were Oakmont, the Field Club, Fox Chapel Golf Club and the Oakmont Country Club’s Shooting Team Longue Vue Club. For the first time since (l to r): Brian Molinaro, Win Smathers, Doug Angerman, Barry Sheer, Keith the shoot’s inception, Oakmont Country Saylor, Mark Hofmann, Tim Fitzgerald, Tom Miller, Paul Friday, Jeff Nigro and Club is the 2006 Quad Club Shoot Mark Studer. Champion. Participating were Mark Studer, Mark Hofmann, Jeff Nigro, Win Smathers, Brian Molinaro, Paul Friday, New Golfing Group at Oakmont Tim Fitzgerald, Tom Miller, Keith Saylor, Doug Angerman and Barry Sheer. debuts as Senior SWAT It was the depth of the team that BY RICH SPACE produced a strong score which would have he SENIOR SWAT is a new golfing group established at Oakmont won a championship in almost any year. T Country Club and open to all full golfing members age 55 or older. The winning squad consisted of Barry Play is scheduled for Wednesday mornings starting between 9:00 a.m. Sheer, Win Smathers, Mark Studer (all tied and 10:00 a.m. with no limitations with regard to handicaps. [Most team for High Gun), Brian Molinaro and Tom matches played at net]. Miller. Special mention goes to Win Smathers who started the season as If you would like to join, please call the Front Desk by April 1, 2006. somewhat of a novice and has developed Matches are scheduled to begin Wednesday, April 12, 2006 with the year- into a strong shot. Also to Mark Studer, end, two-day SENIOR SWAT Event scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, who delayed his return to Florida to October 18th and 19th. participate and made a difference. Our If you have any questions concerning the Senior Swat, please don't hesitate great thanks to all who stepped up to to call one of the Committee Members. bring this championship to Oakmont Look forward to seeing you on Wednesdays. Country Club for the first time. Sam Amodeo, Chairman Dave Brownlee Stan Kevish Bill Moore Rich Space Bill Van Duzer

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB — 4 — MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks

BY BOB FORD AND DAVID PAGETT Golf Shop Tee Time Also, remember that the Oakmont East Management OAKMONT GOLF SHOP Home | Support | Logout | Help Copyright © ForeTees, LLC Course U.S. Open Championship Shop is

PrintPrint Options Options March 2006 April 2006 open Tuesday thru Saturday from 9:00 a.m. Tee Times and ForeTees: S M T W T F S S M T W T F S Control Panel Tee Sheet Su 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 to 5:00 p.m. until March 31st then resumes The Golf Shop would like to 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Refresh Sheet Tot 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Frost Delay 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Tee Times: 55 normal business hours as the 2006 golf remind you that beginning April 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Player Slots: 220 Edit Sheet w/Emails

30 1 2 3 4 5 6 Edit Sheet w/o Emails 1st, you are able to book tee time Instructions: To select a tee time, just click on the button containing the time (1st season gets underway. The East Course Make Diary Entry column). Empty 'player' cells indicate available positions. Click on empty box near na Send Email to Members to 'check them in'. Special Events and Restrictions, if any, are colored (see legend belo reservations by either calling the To make multiple consecutive tee times, select the number of tee times next to the ear Shop carries a wide selection of 2007 U.S. time desired. Then select that time. The following time(s) must be available. Golf Shop or by using our online Date: Thursday 3/23/06 Open Championship merchandise from TeeDate: Sheet Legend: Thu (clickrsd ona ybuttons 3/ 2to 3view/2 0info)0 6 Tee Sheet Legend (click on buttons to view info) tee time reservation system, No Tee Times until April 1 NO Tee Times unitl April 1 logo balls and ball markers to knit shirts

F/B: F = Front Nine, B = Back Nine, O = Open (for cross- overs), S = Shotgun Event

C/W: CAD = Caddie CAR = Cart WA = Walk ForeTees, which can be accessed (9 = 9 holes) X: Check In/Out Players N : Notes Attached to Reservation (click to view) and outerwear. Time # F/B Player 1 C/W Player 2 C/W Player 3 C/W Player 4 C/W through the Club website: 8:00 AM 1 F www.oakmontcc.org 8:10 AM 1 F Club Repair: 8:20 AM 1 F 8:30 AM 1 F Check your grips! These next few weeks As a user of ForeTees, you will 8:40 AM 1 F 8:50 AM 1 F before the season starts are a great time to be able to: 9:00 AM 1 F

9:10 AM 1 F get your clubs re-gripped. If your grips are • make tee times instantly 9:20 AM 1 F shiny and slick, stop by the shop and we with the click of a button (no 9:30 AM 1 F 9:40 AM 1 F will get you ready for the upcoming season. more waiting on the phone); 9:50 AM 1 F

10:00 AM 1 F

• view the tee sheet online at 10:10 AM 1 F your convenience and make tee times from anywhere in Opening Days: the world where you have A reminder that the WGA Opening Day WELCOME access to the Internet; will be Thursday, April 13th. The event New Members! • check daily tee time availabil- this year will be at a new time, 3:00 p.m. ity so you can better manage J. Rich Alexander (Active) with dinner and meeting to follow. your golf experience; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • receive e-mail notification Men’s Opening Day will be Saturday, of your tee time and of any April 15th at 10:00 a.m. Carl B.Anderson III (National) subsequent changes to your Both events are Shotgun starts. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma tee time; New Merchandise Arriving Daily: Randy Crawford (Active) • register for the SWAT, WEAK- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ENDERS, SENIOR SWAT, In the Golf Shop, March is a month and other golf events online; filled with receiving, pricing, and stocking Bart J. O’Conner (National) • view all your future tee times new merchandise for the 2006 season. Boston, with a click of the button This season, look for the latest golf shoes from Ecco, FootJoy and Adidas and new Peter M. Panchura (National) If you have any questions apparel lines Bugatchi and Tommy Bahama Palm City, Florida regarding tee times or the 18. With the approaching 2007 U.S. Open, ForeTees system, do not Neal Rivers (Special) many unique gift items and apparel are hesitate to contact the Golf Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania arriving daily identified with the official Shop and we will be happy to (Has been a member since 1991) 2007 U.S. Open Championship logo. assist you. We are most pleased to have you with us!

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB — 5 — MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks W EAKENDERS FROM THE Cellar N EWS BY CHRIS HAMPTON, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER

BY RICH SPACE First and foremost, I would like to welcome Another old friend, Sebastian Lopez, is everyone back to the Club! I hope all of also going to make a return trip to Oakmont our members are enjoying the new renova- Country Club. Sebastian hails from Chile at Weakenders tion! It was an unbelievably eye-opening Concha Y Tora, the largest winery in Chile. Annual experience to watch an addition that Last year, Concha Y Toras Don Melchor extensive added to our historic Clubhouse. 2000 Cabernet was #4 on The Wine Spring Meeting As we open the new Clubhouse sections to Spectators top 100 wines of 2005. Check Scheduled our membership, please feel free to explore! back for the official date of this great dinner! Be sure and mark your Be certain to get a glimpse of Chef Tom’s Please check out our new 20 wines for calendar to attend the new banquet kitchen, which is being touted $20.00 on the Oakmont wine list. It’s the Weakenders Annual Spring as the best banquet kitchen between New beverage team’s version of the 20/20 steak Meeting on Wednesday, York and Chicago! choice. Brad and I have selected some fun wines for you to enjoy at a more reasonable April 12, 2006 with Brad and I have quite a few wine dinners price. Also, don’t forget to sign up for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres already scheduled for the spring/summer the wine society this year. The cost of at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at seasons. Our first dinner will be April 27th membership is $200.00 and you receive the 7:00 p.m. with Valley of the Moon. Valley of the following benefits: Please call the Front Desk Moon winery has a storied history. At one 1. Free subscription to either the Wine as soon as possible to make point, General Hooker, a famous northern Spectator or the Wine Enthusiast. your reservation. General during the Civil War, owned the 2. 10% off all bottles of wine coming from property where Valley of the Moon now the Cellar. We will hear updates from resides. Brad and Chef Tom have some 3. $10.00 off any wine-related events at Bob Ford, Tom Wallace, outstanding wines, and delicious food Oakmont Country Club. John Zimmers and Robbie planned for this event. Zalzneck from the USGA. 4. Once each month, enjoy one complimen- We also have a dinner in August with an tary bottle from the 20/20 wine list with Weakenders are scheduled old favorite, Maureen Lolonis. Lolonis has your meal while dining at the Club (months to begin play on Saturday, a line of wine called Petros which is around when the Club is closed are excluded). March 25, 2006, weather $90.00 in the state store. It is a blend of We hope to kick off a great season this permitting. Petite Syrah and their reserve Merlot. year at the Club. If there is anything you Look forward to seeing That evening we will be doing a vertical of need or just want to talk about wine-related you this season. Petros 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. subjects, please don’t hesitate to look for Weakenders Committee: This will be an evening to remember! Brad or me. Cheers! Rich Space Steve Clites Barry Hackett Bits of News from Here and There

Cottage and Ladies Locker Room John Prybock (Parking) had surgery on Supervisor, Barbara Cimino had surgery both knees (one in November, 2005 and one on February 20th. She is recovering at in February, 2006) and is recovering at home. home and doing very well. Perhaps you would like to send them a Rose Curran (Front Desk) had minor “Get Well” card. Just stop at the Front Desk surgery in February and is doing fine. for their addresses.

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB — 6 — MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks Easter Brunch, Sunday, Inside: April 16th will prove to be To demonstrate our appreciation of BY CARL GURTNER AND KATIE KEENAN the Club’s opening member our members, the Club will be offering event in it’s renovated quarters. Also, don’t discounted drinks on certain occasions Summer is fast approaching forget what is right around the corner celebrating the glory days of Oakmont. which means Oakmont following Easter . . . When dining in the Clubhouse, you may Country Club is preparing for find a token on your table signifying a yet another fun-filled summer Mother’s Day - a day for honoring and pampering the one that cares for your Member Appreciation Day, thus discount- of activities. The resurfaced ing your first round of drinks. We do this family on a daily basis. Mother’s Day is flagstone patios are ready for in an effort to thank our Members for Sunday, May 7th. Oakmont will host a day dining, the lush green golf their continuous support of the club. of culinary delights and family bonding. course has been receiving lots The Pool: of love and care over the long Chef Tom and his team will challenge Friday’s at the pool this year will be dreary months, and the pool themselves to create culinary displays like more exciting than ever with the addition no other. begins its transformation from a of “Family Friday’s.” Tony, our head leaf-collecting pit into a summer Call for your reservations soon. bartender, will be serving up poolside dream waiting to be hatched. (Hint: the New Fownes Room is the cocktails that will cool you off as the “Summer IS in the Air!” new IN location for the year). summer heat sizzles. You can jam to the tunes of our D.J. or Don will entertain The Clubhouse Outside: The social scene inside the you with fun and games. Lynette and her Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th… team will have pool specials including Clubhouse has been bustling pray for clear skies.As in years past, weather FREE happy hour hors d’oeuvres. ever since our re-opening after has played a dramatic role in our Club’s being closed for construction. If this doesn’t capture your attention, operation. We have overcome it, and We hope you are as excited as our newest addition to the pool area is a anticipate doing the same again this year. we are about the new renova- full-size jumper inflatable. Please join us We will have many fun activities for each and every Friday starting June 2nd. tions. They brought new life to children and awesome displays of food. We Reservations are not necessary and guests our “aging” ballroom. The look forward to entertaining your family. are welcome. member events that we host in our ballroom will be consider- ably enhanced from this new 2006 Entertainment Schedule crisp look. The Club will host a April 9 ...... Children’s Easter Egg Hunt Grand Re-Opening Gala on April 16 ...... Easter Sunday Buffet Friday evening, April 21st, April 21 ...... Clubhouse Re-Opening Gala spotlighting the renovated areas April 27 ...... Wine Dinner of the Clubhouse, with culinary May 14 ...... Mother’s Day Buffet buffets and entertainment May 27 ...... Club Pool Opens throughout. We hope you can May 29 ...... Memorial Day Picnic join us for a behind the scenes June 18 ...... Father’s Day Buffet view. The Clubhouse will be July 4 ...... Picnic and Fireworks closed for regular ala carte August 5 ...... Family Night Movie dining that evening. On Sunday, August 13 ...... Junior Activities Banquet April 9th, the Easter Bunny August 17 ...... Wine Dinner sure will enjoy hopping September 3 ...... Labor Day Picnic through the ballroom bringing October 29 ...... Family Fall Festival all the good little boys November 3 ...... Texas Hold ’Em Night and girls candy and a visit from November 23 ...... Thanksgiving Buffet his barnyard friends. December 3 ...... Adult Christmas Party December 10 ...... Children’s Christmas Party December 13, 14, 15 . . Christmas Luncheon Buffets December 31 ...... New Year’s Eve Dinner

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB — 7 — MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks From the Grounds Up BY JOHN ZIMMERS, GROUNDS SUPERINTENDENT AND CHRIS DONOHUE, GROUNDS COMMITTEE Course Construction Update: As temperatures start to increase, raising evaluated by the U.S.G.A. This small amount of work remains to be the soil temperature to around 60 degrees, process and set up will begin completed on our course. This work the Poa will begin to grow at a more around the middle of April A is scheduled to be completed in early consistent rate. This allows for smoother under the direction of ‘Director spring prior to opening day (April 15th). putting surfaces. It is important to note of Competitions,’ Mike Davis and ‘Championship Agronomist,’ The remaining work was unable to be that the putting surfaces would be bumpy Tim Moraghan. completed because of inclement weather even if the drill-and-fill procedure had not conditions as well as sod and bunker sand been performed. Greens Turf being unavailable. Grounds Internship Program: Drainage (T.D.I.): Work to be completed includes: Once again we are fortunate to have a We are pleased to report that • Bunker renovation and fairway narrowing strong internship program for the 2006 all the internal drainage on the on #18 season which will help us prepare for the putting greens has been com- • Ditch renovation between #15 and #18 2007 U.S. Open Championship. The hard pleted. Our percolation rates (internal drainage in the putting • Relocating the championship tee on #12 work and dedication our interns provide green) have increased over 100% • Sodding of #16 championship tee for the grounds maintenance program is invaluable to the success of many of our as a result of our drainage work. • Several miscellaneous punch list items agronomic programs. We have included a Because of this improved Aerification: list of our graduates and intern universities. drainage, we can report that this is the first time in seven years Aerification was scheduled for mid-March. Domestic: that temporary greens were not Greens, approaches, tees, fairways and • Penn State necessary due to wet conditions roughs are scheduled to be aerified this • Ohio State this fall and winter. The Grounds spring. • Rutgers Committee would like to thank • Approaches, tees and fairways will be • Michigan State everyone for their patience and aerified using 5/8 inch hollow tines • Georgia understanding while all this pulling cores as performed in the past. • Kansas State internal drainage work was •Greens aerification will include the drill- • Massachusetts being installed. Although there and-fill procedure. These machines consist • Delaware was a temporary inconvenience, of 12 inch long, 3/4 inch drill bits which • Delhi State (New York) we believe the long-term benefits drill holes into the greens subsoil, then International: are well worth it for the member- fills up the cavity with sand which • New Zealand ship. (Many other clubs are now improves the drainage on our greens. • England installing this system in their * Note – This is the first year we will not have • Australia greens.) to use temporary greens due to improved U.S. Open Championship Golf Course Drainage: putting greens drainage. Prepared Holes: (#12, #15, #17) Many improvements have Spring Putting Greens: The U.S.G.A. has asked us to prepare been made to improve our golf course’s ability to drain water. As spring approaches and aerification is these holes, as they would play during the In addition to new drain lines in completed, the question is asked “why are U.S. Open Championship next year. The the bunkers and ditches, new the putting surfaces bumpy?” Many think U.S.G.A. will be making several site visits main lines and catch basins have it is because of the aerification/drill-and-fill this spring and summer to evaluate the set been installed. These drains procedures. The fact is a small percentage up of the golf course. These three holes create an infrastructure that will of the bumpiness results from the drill-and- will be test holes to see how they will play yield immediate results, as well fill, but is mainly due to all of the different under championship conditions. The length as facilitate future improvements. types of Poa grass, which grows at various of the rough on these holes will be set up rates during this period. to championship guidelines and then CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB — 8 — MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks From the Grounds Up FROM PAGE 10

Examples of this can be found on the right side of Hole # 3 and in front of # 8 fairway. Rough Renovations: The rough renovation program will continue through the 2006 golf season. The rough will be aerified and overseeded where Poa Annua has contaminated areas of the rough making it inconsistent. Overseeding these areas will encourage consistency and will provide better playability. Additional areas of the rough will need to be overseeded due to all the heavy equipment and traffic from the construction projects. Fescue Grass Areas: Cart traffic must be avoided in these areas. Fine fescue grass does not tolerate cart traffic and the plant will be crushed down thus affecting the aesthetic appearance we are trying to achieve. Please avoid driving in fescue areas. Fine fescue grass does NOT tolerate cart traffic. Plant will be crushed down and not recover. Do NOT take carts in fescue areas. Ball Marks: In Summary: Please repair your ball marks as well as others you The Grounds Committee is very pleased to update you on a might find. Repairing ball marks will ensure a smoother number of golf course conditions. A great deal of work has been putting surface for everyone. completed over the past months. As we anticipate much less course construction this golf season, we do appreciate your patience as we prepare for the upcoming 2006 golf season and additional prepara- tions for the U.S. Open Championship in 2007. It is important to continue to develop and implement agronomic practices that will give the golf course a stronger baseline to better handle extreme weather patterns that we have experienced in the Pittsburgh area over past years. Our goal is to provide Oakmont members, and their guests, championship conditions that can be managed within our agronomic limits.

Average Infiltration Rates - OCC Greens

These figures are the average ISTRC infiltration results for the greens tested. Greens aerification includes drill-and-fill procedure. Drill holes into green subsoil, then fill the cavity with sand. This number represents the amount of rainfall that is able to move downward thru the soil profile... the more the better!

2000 2002 2003 2004 2005

.25”/hr 1.23”/hr 2.13”/hr 4.62”/hr 5.51”/hr

Chart shows dramatic improvement of greens drainage at Oakmont for the past five years.

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB — 9 — MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks Celebrate EASTER Tidbits of KitchenKorner Timely Things BY TOM PEPKA, CEC EXECUTIVE CHEF at the Club DID YOU KNOW? would like to take this opportunity to Sunday, April 9 – 10:00 A.M. According to the survey welcome back all of our Oakmont CHILDREN’S Imembers from a long two-month hiatus. conducted along with the New EASTER EGG HUNT 2006 Club Roster information Even though our Club was closed, the Hippity-Hoppity Spectacular filled out by our members, an kitchen crew stayed busy with such things overwhelming number of as lunch and dinner menu changes, party Puppet Show members preferred #18 and #9 menu planning and inputting the new Easter Egg Hunt porches as their #1 preference banquet kitchen. Photos with for dining at Oakmont Country This new banquet kitchen looks great the Easter Bunny Club. We’re assuming, of and will help set Oakmont Country Club Cookie Decorating course, weather permitting! apart from other clubs in this area. Thus begins an exciting learning curve that Adults: $16 – Children – FREE DID YOU KNOW? goes with a kitchen of this caliber. But, Since 1973, when you called let me assure you, we are very excited our Club, you heard a friendly about getting back there and putting the voice say to you: “Oakmont new kitchen equipment to work for you. Sunday, April 16 Country Club, this is Rose.” (See photo on page 12). EASTER BRUNCH When Rose Curran started to As of March 1st, we are offering 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. work at Oakmont Country Club, Wednesday Family Nights, Thursday Tom Wallace was a “newborn” Prime Rib Nights and also amuse bouche Deluxe Salad Bar and Chris Hampton wasn’t even on Friday and Saturday Nights. Plus offer- Breakfast Buffet born! Mary Agnes Reiger was an ing our well-known Sunday Brunches. Chilean Sea Bass, Lamb Top Round, at-home Mom with five children. Don’t forget that Easter and Mother’s Country Ham, Chicken All Rose did over those years Day are right around the corner! Please Grand Dessert Display was: plan on using your Club to help celebrate including a Chocolate Fountain Answer the phone those events. Also, when the golf season Make lunch & dinner reservations Adults: $27.50 opens officially in April, we will again be Set up golf times Children under 12 pay their age offering the 20-FOR-20 ....a 20-ounce Cash checks choice strip steak for $20.00... grilled to EASTER DINNER BUFFET Serve drinks your selection! I also hope you find our Calculate your Club chits NEW Vanilla Bean Ice Cream to your 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Rose has worked the 1973, liking. We now make this ice cream in Deluxe Salad Bar 1983 and 1994 U.S. Opens. Plus house and use pure heavy cream, eggs, Beef Tenderloin, Lamb Top Round the Women’s U.S. Open in 1992 sugar and Vanilla bean.... so please give Chilean Sea Bass, Chicken and the 2003 U.S. Amateur. it a try. Grand Dessert Display A good golfer, a card player and See you in the Club.....CHEF TOM including a Chocolate Fountain. a mother of two grown children. Adults: $30 How can we handle the 2007 Children under 12 pay their age U.S. Open Championship RESERVATIONS: 412-828-8000 without her? We can’t! Thanks for your help, Rose!

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB — 10 — MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks

BY LAURIN MOORE, SWAT Resumes WGA GOLF CHAIR BY JIM KNORR Hurrah, hurrah, it’s Opening Day! Beginning Saturday, March 25th, the Oakmont SWAT will Dust off your clubs. play golf on Saturdays, call in by 10:00 a.m., play at 11:00 a.m., Loosen your swing. Sundays, call in by 10:00 a.m., play at 11:00 a.m., and Put on your shoes and come out and play. Opening Day is April 13th. Wednesdays, call in by NOON, play at 1:00 p.m.. The format will be as follows: 3:00 p.m. Golf Tournament: Dates to Remember 9-Hole Shot-Gun Scramble Good Friday, April 14th 5:30 p.m. Cocktails, Announcements Call in by Noon, play at 1:00 p.m. and “Fashions by Annie” 6:30 p.m. Dinner Saturday, April 22nd SWAT Meeting at 4:00 p.m. We hope that all of the WGA members will participate in the Opening Day Golf Friday, May 19th Tournament. In addition, we are extending Members Only SWAT Party an invitation to all OCC women to join us 1:30 p.m. Shotgun for cocktails and/or dinner. We want to show all of the OCC women how much Call in by 3:00 p.m. Thursday, May 18th fun the WGA gals have and encourage Call Front Desk to participate in SWAT: them to join the WGA. So please come 412-828-8000 show them your hospitality! Two notes for the upcoming 2006 golf season NOTE: You recently received an invitation to attend the Clubhouse Grand • We are re-instating the Porter Senior Re-Opening Gala. It stated the date was April 21st, 2008. We decided not to let Golf Tournament. This will be a one day you wait that long. The date should have read: April 21st, 2006. event on July 20th, in loving memory of Oakley Porter and her dedication to the WGA. It is with Oakmont Sincere Regret . . . • We are looking for full participation in Links the Thursday Events this season. Melanie We announce the passing of several is published nine times a year for members and employees. Smith, Thursday Events Chair, has created Oakmont members. We shall never a wonderful schedule mixed with paired forget them. Our sympathy to their OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB 1233 Hulton Road and non-paired events. The format is family and friends. Oakmont, PA 15139 sure to satisfy handicaps of all levels. So In February, 2006 412-828-8000 www.oakmontcc.org remember; the better the participation, Mrs. Clare Kennedy (Joseph A.) EDITOR EMERITUS the better the event! long time member James W. Murphy, Sr. Here’s to longer days, chirping birds, EXECUTIVE EDITOR Mrs. Athena McDonough (Mathias J.) budding flowers and best of the 2006 golf Al Dudreck long time member EDITOR season!! George Hill Robert J. Waite ASSISTANT EDITOR a member since 1976 Judy Folk

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR Larry Werner

OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB — 11 — MARCH/APRIL 2006 OakmontLinks Thank you for permitting me to share my thoughts about Oakmont From the Clubhouse FROM PAGE 3 and how sincere I am in my beliefs. This is a great time for Oakmont The Facilities - Without a great membership and Country Club. The staff and I are all very anxious to get the Club fully staff, the facilities really do not matter. Fortunately, open and get the 2006 season underway. Thank you for your patience. we have both of those — and we have the best I’m certain the wait will have been worthwhile. As always, please feel free golf course in the country! The course, under the to call or stop in my office anytime to discuss your needs. guidance of John Zimmers, is in a dress rehearsal Please say “Hi” when you see me at the Club. mode for the 2007 U.S. Open Championship. From the Fans It is, most certainly, a beautiful test of golf. Our Days before Super Bowl XL, I sent every member of our staff Pittsburgh Steeler’s Pins lodgings facilities are truly world class. The Club- with the instructions to wear them for good luck on Super Bowl Sunday. I also told them house is now on its way to being on a with our that when the Steelers won the Super Bowl, the pins would be officially adopted as part of “gem” of a golf course. The Clubhouse Phase I everyone’s uniform for the 2006 season. The Steelers held up their end of the deal. So if project is being finished under the strong guidance you notice the Steelers pins on various staff uniforms, give them a “Go Steelers!!!” of the Steering Committee and Phase II of the Clubhouse project’s scope is in the planning stages — to be accomplished this coming fall and winter prior to the Open. The History - National Historic Landmarks are exceptional places. They form a common bond between Americans. While there are many historic places across the nation, only a small number have meaning to all Americans — these we call our National Historic Landmarks. Oakmont Country Club was so designated on June 30, 1987. Few venues in the world of golf have the championship tradition of Oakmont. Introduced in 1903 by designer Henry Fownes, Oakmont Country Club has hosted more major Championships than any other course in the United States. These include seven United States Opens, five United States Amateurs, three PGA Championships, and one Our new service kitchen, next to the ballroom, will permit us to handle any banquet in the United States Women’s Open. Add to that, two most efficient manner. (See Kitchen Korner article by Chef Tom on Page 10.) more United States Opens returning in 2007 and 2010. Oakmont remains perhaps the most challenging course in North America, with 180 deep bunkers (personified by the Church Pews), hard and slick greens that slope away from the player, and tight fairways requiring the utmost precision. Oakmont was the site of “the greatest round of the 20th century:” ’s final round 63 at the 1973 U.S. Open Championship. ranks Oakmont #4 in its most recent version of America’s Top 100 courses. At a recent meeting between our Archives Committee and the archive curator of Carnegie Library, the curator stated that “Oakmont’s significant historical artifacts were truly exceptional.” We already knew that, but it was great for our Archives Committee to hear about the significance of their work. This little capsule of history and tradition reminds one of how special Oakmont There is a dramatic new image when guests and members enter our Club through truly is. front door.We like it!

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APRIL C ALENDAR OF EVENTS

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1

Daylight Savings Time Begins

234 56 7 8

Easter Egg WGA Town Hall Hunt Opening Day Meeting 10:00 a.m. 9-hole scramble 8:00-9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Men’s Palm Sunday Shotgun Opening Day Dinner follows 10 a.m. Shotgun 91011 12131415

Easter Buffet Member CLUBHOUSE begins at Monday GRAND 11:30 a.m. RE-OPENING GALA Easter Sunday 6:00-8:30 p.m.

16 1718 19 20 21 22

USGA WGAWP Golf Outing Opening Day 8:00-11:00 a.m.

23 2425 26 27 28 29

Don’t forget to sign up for the SWAT,Weakenders and Senior SWAT. Check with the Golf Shop for schedules.

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OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB MARCH/APRIL 2006