USGA Museum offers attendees glimpse of past during U.S. Open

For John Meyers, many of the items on display in the USGA Museum at Oakmont Country Club were familiar sights.

An Oakmont member for several decades, the “old fan” said he’d been to every U.S. Open since 1983. But he still enjoyed seeing objects like Johnny Miller’s clubs from the famed 1973 U.S. Open and an iron from Rory McIlroy’s first major victory in 2011, he said.

“I think when my grandkids come out on Saturday and Sunday, they’re going to love this,” Meyers said. “I think they’re going to have a ball out here this weekend, and I’ll be sure to bring them here.”

Beyond the small display area of hallowed golf relics, the museum offers interactive exhibits like a golf simulator, a sand tee station and a small green for attendees to try out century-old balls and clubs.

Hilary Cronheim, senior director of USGA museums and the World Golf Hall of Fame, said the organization tries to bring a mini-museum to each open.

The items on display are sourced from the USGA Golf Museum and Library in New Jersey as well as the World Golf Hall of Fame in Pinehurst, N.C., she said.

On the first day of the tournament, Cronheim said she had seen a steady stream of museumgoers throughout the morning. Located in a fan zone between the 11th and 12th holes, the museum provides a “nice break” for viewers, she said.

“They love it. It’s really a good mix of a little bit of history; it’s really fun,” Cronheim said.

Mason Robinson, 7, of Plum started out at the museum’s simulator. He hit a shot about 90 virtual yards before answering some museum trivia and wrapping things up by putting with some vintage clubs with his dad’s help.

He said it was a “10/10” time.

Steve Robinson said he enjoyed “going from one extreme to the other,” progressing from the simulator to the retro green and enjoying the artifacts in between.

“It’s a great experience, and it’s nice and cool in here,” he said.

Those artifacts, according to Pittsburgh resident Bern Bernacki, are “world class.”

The former president of the Golf Heritage Society, a nationwide historical preservation group, Bernacki said it was his third U.S. Open at Oakmont.

He said he welcomed a history break in the midst of the tournament.

“I think it’s fabulous. It really is good for the game. It’s good for people to understand the significance of American golf and the U.S. Open.”

Tyler and Mark Gobert, visitors from Clearfield County, said this year was their first U.S. Open. The two enjoyed simply walking the course and seeing the pros take some swings, Mark said.

But Mark said the museum and its activities “add to the experience.”

Wielding a dated putter, Tyler sunk an antique ball on his second try.

“There’s a lot of great history here. It walks you through a good timeline of everything that’s going on,” Tyler said. “It’s a brief overview, but it’s very good.”