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Article: Some of Oakland Hills' 'monsterism' may be gone, but it's still a course to be feared.(Originated from Knight-Ridder Newspapers)
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- June 13, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. _ It was the original ``monster'' and became the prototype for just about every U.S. Open since.
The year was 1951, and the site was Oakland Hills Country Club. Robert Trent Jones Sr. was hired to redesign the 34-year-old Donald Ross layout, which already had hosted Opens in 1924 and '37. Jones added 60 bunkers, moved the seventh green to lengthen the hole and narrowed the fairways considerably, particularly in the landing areas. He also let the rough grow to six inches.
These days, that's standard. At the time, it was radical.
Ben Hogan successfully defended the championship he won at Merion, with a 7-over-par 287 total. ...