WHO wants a US Amateur on their courses No.1 and No.3. Medinah, that’s who.
During the Ryder Cup the Gog Blog heard that the club was thinking maybe a U.S. Amateur Championship. With the first two rounds on courses 1 & 3. But the match play to be played on the newly renovated course No. 1 by Tom Doak. Why, well why not. Hosting the U.S. Amateur is a great honor and a great way to give back to the game.
But, the USGA doesn’t shell out big bucks to any club that host’s the event. It’s a figure that’s not even six figures. As a result clubs hosting the amateur end up spending big money to do so.
Erin Hills hosted the amateur in 2011, there was a big tab for doing so but course owner Andy Ziegler picked up the tab with a few sponsors. Erin Hills will host the 2017 U.S. Open. The next amateur in the area is in 2015 at Olympia Fields in the clubs centennial year.
Olympia Fields will not comment on what they expect to spend in 2015, but some industry insiders tell us that what OFCC gets from the USGA and what the bill is could be a difference of some $750,000 or more. So why these days would you do it.
Besides the honor, what you do as a club is tell the USGA is that you will take the amateur, as long as you get the U.S. Open a few years later. A tournament that makes up the dollars spent on the amateur.
Which is why the discussions between Medinah and the USGA are now for the privilege of hosting more than just the amateur. The next U.S. Open that is well, still open for the taking is 2021. But it’s not expected to be held in the area of the Midwest.
2022 however has been rumored to be a Midwest year. It’s the next open Frank Jemsek and Cog Hill are bidding for.
Plus one would have to think that if Olympia Fields has a successful amateur in 2015, they would want a shot at a U.S. Open too. Say about 2022. Don’t believe the rumors that the open will never go back to OFCC after some of the issues that popped up in 2003. That might have been the feeling in 2004, but it’s a new ballgame these days.
So is Medinah trying for the 2022 U.S. Open. If so it could make for a very crowded local list of contenders. The other question is, if Medinah wants back in with the USGA. Where does it leave them with the PGA of America? You would think the PGA might want to bring another Ryder Cup back to MCC when one is available, which would be 2024.
But if the PGA is slow to make the offer, MCC could jump to the USGA. Would the PGA then approach Olympia Fields, would OFCC be interested in taking a PGA Championship?
Good question and inquiring minds want to know. Either way lets hope our Chicagoland area comes out a winner when all the talks are done. In spite of the outcome, the Ryder Cup was really fun at Medinah last fall. I think Chicago golf fans are ready for another championship at Medinah, even if it’s not a Ryder Cup rematch.
For more inside scoops around the Midwest golf scene, check out Rory’s full column here.
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