Taunted By An Overpass - GolfBlogger Golf Blog

I drive under these overpasses a couple of times a year on my way to and from the East cast to visit family and friends.

It always feels as though they are taunting me.

If you can’t see it clearly, the overpasses says Oakmont CC (Sorry for the bad photo. It is heavily cropped, as I was moving, watching the road and holding the camera in one hand. No chance to focus. Just push the button, aim forward and hope to get the shot.)

Oakmont is one of several private clubs on my US bucket list (some others are Crystal Downs, Riviera, Shinnecock and National Golf Links. Nearly all on my list are there for architectural interest, not prestige). It is, however, the only one I am reminded of on a regular basis. I went past Crystal Downs once. I’ve never been even close to many of my other bucket list courses.

Oakmont CC was established in 1903, but in the late 1940s, the course was split in two by construction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Thus, the overpasses.

Construction of the turnpike apparently affected only one of the holes — the eighth, where the green had to be moved several yards.

There are seven holes on the one side, and eleven on the other.

The turnpike apparently was built on an old railroad right-of-way, which explains why such a prestigious country club has a highway through the middle of its course.

The Google Earth photo above is interesting, as it shows clearly the church pew bunkers for which Oakmont is famous.