The Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy glistened outside the Saucon Valley Country Club clubhouse on May 17. The sleek, silvery shine matched the glowing enthusiasm of U.S. Senior Open officials inside the building.
| U.S. Senior Open Qualifying at Doylestown portal |
The USGA provided an update on the U.S. Senior Open, set for June 23-26 at Saucon Valley (Old), during a Media Day event. It will mark the eighth national championship at the beautiful Bethlehem, Pa. venue. Saucon Valley previously welcomed the U.S. Senior Open in 1992 and 2000.
“To grow up here, to serve on the board here for 15 years, to be able to chair this Senior Open is a thrill for me,” David Kennedy, who served as the club’s president from 2015-20, said. “Saucon Valley Country Club could not be more proud to share this longstanding partnership [with the USGA]. We go all the way back to 1951 with the U.S. Amateur. It’s been an amazing thing.”
“I can’t tell you how enthusiastic the USGA is to be returning to Saucon Valley,” Ben Kimball, USGA Senior Director of Championships, added. “This championship inspires the best senior golfers, both amateurs and professionals, to continue to chase their dream of becoming a USGA champion. One’s ability is the only determining factor for participating in this championship, which means the journey for each one of these 156 players will be a story in itself.”
For some, that story will continue on May 19 when GAP administers U.S. Senior Open Qualifying at Doylestown Country Club in Doylestown, Pa. Four spots for the Championship proper will be available. Overall, more than 3,000 individuals entered the 42nd U.S. Senior Open, with 33 qualifying sites nationwide.
“Saucon Valley has proven time and time again that it produces nothing but great champions. It’s going to test not only their physical ability, but also their mental stability as well,” Kimball said. “We’ll continue to evaluate each individual golf hole and each individual hole location to make sure we’re providing the fairest test for these players and crowning the most deserving champion.”
Saucon Valley’s routing will change for the U.S. Senior Open. The back nine will begin with Nos. 13-18, followed by Nos. 10-12. The front nine on the club’s Old Course remains the same. The “19th Hole,” an outdoor festival setting geared toward families, will be staged in the area of Nos. 16-18.
“We have a number of attractions on the golf course that will be great for families. I promise there will be plenty of ice cream out on the golf course,” Hank Thompson, Senior Director of the U.S. Senior Open, said. “The U.S. Senior Open brings a regional interaction with ticketholders.”
“We’re part of the Golf Association of Philadelphia. I think there’s going to be a lot of interest coming from the Philadelphia market,” Kennedy added.
In addition to Saucon Valley staff and USGA tournament officials and team members, the 42nd U.S. Senior Open at Saucon Valley will operate with more than 1,800 volunteers — approximately 700 of which bear ties to the host facility. Volunteers will assist in areas such as course maintenance, scoring, fan experience, facility management and more.
Saucon Valley will play as a par 71 at 7,028 yards. Jim Furyk, who grew up in Lancaster County, enters as defending U.S. Senior Open Champion. He played Saucon Valley for the first time on May 16.
“I thought it was a great walk. I thought it was a beautiful golf course from tee to green,” Furyk, who played alongside Saucon Valley’s Director of Golf, said. “The bunkers are defining the holes. The difficulty is really on the greens; The greens really have some teeth. There could be some really interesting pin placements out here.”
Designed by Herbert Strong, Saucon Valley’s Old Course opened in 1922. Revisions were completed by William Gordon, Perry Maxwell, and most recently Tom Marzolf from the Fazio Group in 2008.
For more information regarding the 42nd U.S. Senior Open at Saucon Valley, visit www.ussenioropen.com.
GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 330 Member Clubs and 90,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
