Merion - Home of the 2013 US Open Located in the township of Haverfor, Pennsylvania, a Northwest suburb of Philadelphia, Merion is one of the most storied, yet least talked about golf courses in the United States. Merion Golf Course opened in September of 1912 and since that time it has hosted five U.S. Open Championships. Originally designed by Hugh Wilson, Merion golf course has undergone very little renovation from its initial layout. In fact, the custodians of Merion make every effort to ensure that the golfers playing Merion today are playing the same course that the golfers played when it first opened. Merion U.S. Opens In just over 100 years of existence, Merion has played host to the U.S. Open tournament five times. The five winners of the U.S. Open on Merion include Olin Dutra, 1934, Ben Hogan, 1950, Lee Trevino, 1971 and David Graham, 1981. Following the 1981 U.S. Open, there were questions as to whether Merion would ever host the tournament again. Many felt the venue was just too small to host an event that has grown so large. Not only was the course itself short, there was a lack of gallery space as well as a lack of space for corporate tents, infrastructure, etc. However, after acquiring additional land, the course was lengthened and grounds around the course were expanded, thus allowing for the return of the prestigious event in 2013. About The Course At 6,846 yards (nearly 6400 metres), Merion is considerably shorter than many of the major golf tournament courses. Considering that in 1981, the course was just 6500 yards (5940 metres) the lengthening was a much needed renovation to a course that had traditionally resisted change. Wicker Baskets One unique feature of Merion Golf Course is the use of wicker baskets to top flag sticks, as opposed to traditional flags. The baskets have been a constant on the course since approximately 1916. There are several stories regarding the origin of the baskets, but no one knows for sure how or why the tradition began. One theory is that course designer Hugh Wilson got the idea for the baskets while on a trip to England. The story goes that while in England, Wilson saw shepherds tending their sheep. These shepherds carried their lunch in wicker baskets hung from the top of their staffs so that the animals could not get at them. Whatever the origin of the baskets, they are as much a part of Merion as the course itself. Merion is not a long and treacherous course like many of the other major golf courses around the world. It does not get the attention that is given to many other courses in the U.S. and abroad. It is, however, one of the most beautiful and history rich courses being played today. Hopefully it will not take another 32 years for the U.S. open to return to Merion.
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