2011 US Open: Congressional Joins the Club of Courses to Host 3 US Opens

The 2011 US Open marks the 66th consecutive year of the tournament.  It had been on hiatus due to the Second World War.  It has been staged at 27 different courses over this span. 11 courses have hosted at least three.  

Oakmont Country Club has hosted the tournament a record six times and the 2011 event will be at Congressional Country Club, making it the 12th course to host the event at least three times.

Oakmont Country Club: 6 US Opens

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OAKMONT, PA - JUNE 17: Angel Cabrera of Argentina waves to the gallery after completing his round with a one-under par 69 in the final round of the 107th U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club on June 17, 2007 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

Oakmont, PA

Current Length: 7,255 Yards 

1953:  Ben Hogan, 283

1962:  Jack Nicklaus, 283

1973:  Johnny Miller, 279

1983:  Larry Nelson, 280

1994:  Ernie Els, 279

2007:  Angel Cabrera, 285

Its normal setup is so difficult that the course is always considered "open ready."  The greens are so fast and undulating that they measure a 13.5 on the stimpmeter, prompting the USGA to ask them to slow the greens for the Open.  

Johnny Miller's 62 in the final round remains the US Open single round scoring record.

Pebble Beach Golf Links: 5 US Opens

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PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 13: Jimmy Walker putts on the 7th hole during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at the Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 13, 2011 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Pebble Beach, California

Current Length: 6,828 Yards

Architects: Jack Neville and Douglas Grant

1972:  Jack Nicklaus, 290  

1982:  Tom Watson, 282

1992:  Tom Kite, 285

2000:  Tiger Woods, 272

2010:  Graeme McDowell, 284

It's a place of beauty and golf history.  Tiger Woods set the scoring record with his win.  Tom Watson defeated Jack Nicklaus on a seemingly impossible chip shot.

Baltusrol Lower Course: 4 US Opens

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SPRINGFIELD, NJ - AUGUST 15: Phil Mickelson tips his cap after winning the 2005 PGA Championship with a 4-under par 276 August 15, 2005 in Springfield, New Jersey. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Springfield, New Jersey

Current Length:  7,392 yards

Architect: A.W. Tillinghast

1954:  Ed Furgol, 284

1967:  Jack Nicklaus, 275

1980:  Jack Nicklaus, 272  

1993:  Lee Janzen, 272

Baltusrol now appears the PGA Championship rotation of courses.  It's the site of Jack Nicklaus's final US Open win.

Oakland Hills Country Club, South Course: 4 US Opens

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BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI - AUGUST 10: Sergio Garcia of Spain plays his tee shot on the 17th hole during the final round of the 90th PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club on August 10, 2008 in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. (Photo by Stuart Franklin

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Current Length: 7,445 yards

Architect:  Donald J. Ross

1951:  Ben Hogan, 287

1961:  Gene Littler, 281

1985:  Andy North, 279

1996:  Steve Jones, 278

It was built to punish players in the 1951 Open.  Ben Hogan said he was glad to bring "this monster to it's knees."

Olympic Club Lake Course: 4 US Opens

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21 Jun 1998: Payne Stewart of the USA reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the 1998 U.S. Open Championships on the 6,797-yard, par-70 Lake Course at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California.

San Francisco, California

Current Length: 6,842 yards

Architects: Sam Whiting and Willie Watson

1955:  Jack Fleck, 287

1966:  Billy Casper, 278

1987:  Scott Simpson, 277

1998:  Lee Janzen, 280

It's the site of two major upsets: the shock of Fleck beating Ben Hogan in an 18 hole playoff and the implosion of Arnold Palmer, allowing Casper to clutch the title away. 

Winged Foot Country Club West: 4 US Opens

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MAMARONECK, NY - JUNE 18: Colin Montgomerie of Scotland putts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2006 US Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club on June 18, 2006 in Mamaroneck, New York. Geoff Ogilvy won the Championship by one stroke. (

Mamaroneck, New York

Course Length: 7,264 yards

Architect: A.W. Tillinghast 

1959:  Billy Casper, 282

1974:  Hale Irwin, 287

1984:  Fuzzy Zoeller, 276

2006:  Geoff Ogilvy, 285

It's been cruel to many golfers over the years.  Phil Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie both collapsed on the final hole in 2006.

Medinah Country Club Course: 3 US Opens

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MEDINAH, IL - AUGUST 20: The 13th hole is seen during the final round of the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah Country Club on August 20, 2006 in Medinah, Illinois. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Medinah, Illinois

Course Length: 7,401 yards

Architect: Tom Bendelow

1949:  Cary Middlecoff, 286

1975:  Lou Graham, 287

1990:  Hale Irwin, 280

The place seems to produce odd winners.  Middlecoff was a dentist, Graham guarded the tomb of the unknown soldier and Hale Irwin played Division 1 football at Colorado-Boulder.

Merion East Course

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ARDMORE, PA - SEPTEMBER 13: The 17th green during the final afternoon singles matches on the East Course at Merion Golf Club on September 13, 2009 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Ardmore, Pennsylvania 

Current Length:  6,846 yards

Architect: Hugh Wilson

1950:  Ben Hogan, 287

1971:  Lee Trevino, 280

1981:  David Graham, 273

The Miracle took place here in 1950.  Hogan's win came a little more than a year after he nearly died in a car accident.  His main leg arteries had to be tied off and was told he would never walk again.  Somehow, he managed to make through the 36-hole Saturday and an 18-hole playoff Sunday.

Oak Hill Country Club East

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ROCHESTER NY - MAY 25: Bernhard Langer of Germany and Jeff Sluman walk onto the 13th green during the final round of the 69th Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club - East Course on May 25 2008 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Get

Pittsford, New York

Current Course Length: 7,145 yards

Architect: Donald J. Ross

1956:  Cary Middlecoff, 281

1968:  Lee Trevino, 275 

1989:  Curtis Strange, 278

It constantly rates among the best courses in the country.

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

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Chris DiMarco putts during the final round of the 2004 U. S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, June 20, 2004. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Shinnecock Hills, New York

Current Length: 6,996 yards

Architect:  William Flynn 

1986:  Raymond Floyd, 279

1995:  Corey Pavin, 280

2004:  Retief Goosen, 276

It's remembered for Pavin's miracle four wood to beat Greg Norman.  The 2004 tournament proved to be another debacle for Phil Mickelson and for the USGA over the course set up.

Southern Hills Country Club

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TULSA, OK - AUGUST 12: Ernie Els of South Africa plays a bunker shot on the 12th green during the final round of the 89th PGA Championship at the Southern Hills Country Club on August 12, 2007 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Current Length: 7,012 yards

Architect: Perry Maxwell

1958:  Tommy Bolt, 283

1977:  Hubert Green, 278

2001:  Retief Goosen, 276

A bizarre and scary incident took place in the '77 Open.  Hubert Green received death threats and officials offered him the option to clear the course.  Green declined and went on to win.