2023 Induction & Gala

Oakmont Country Club

November 12th, 2023 5:00 PM

White Tie Requested with Decorations

The History of Oakmont Country Club

By David Moore, OCC Curator of Collections

Oakmont Country Club came to be thanks to industrialist Henry C. Fownes (1856-1935). The original 191-acre property was purchased by a group led by Fownes called the “Oakmont Land Company” for $78,500 (roughly $3 million today).

That fall, Henry directed a team of 150 men and two dozen horses in the creation of his grand design. The golf course opened to the membership on October 1, 1904. The course was 6,406 yards and a par 80, which many still feel it should be today. 

Oakmont grew in national circles thanks to Henry’s son, William C. Fownes Jr. (1877-1950). Arguably one of the best players in his era, Fownes won eight West Penn Amateur titles, four PA Amateur titles, and the 1910 U.S. Amateur Championship at The Country Club. He later helped found the Walker Cup and served as USGA President in 1926-27. As Fownes’ greatness grew, so did Oakmont’s. 

The Club hosted its first national championship in 1919 with the U.S. Amateur, won by OCC member S. Davidson Herron. Over the next century, Oakmont has hosted 20 national championships, including a record nine U.S. Open Championships. Among our national champions are names like Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Dustin Johnson. 

As we look to the future, Oakmont is proud to host another eight USGA national championships over the next three decades, including four more U.S. Opens.