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PGA Golf | The US Open

Championship Countdown

A Year-By-Year Look At What’s Involved In Staging The Open

Six Years Out:

• Final discussions of sites by championship committee.
• Tentative selection made by Executive Committee on host site.
• Championship contract process begins; negotiations started for hotels, parking, etc.

Executive Committee signs off on championship contract; official announcement made.

Five Years Out:

• Secondary agreements finalized in local area (parking, hotels, agreements with local government agencies). Championship logo developed and approved (in some cases, this might be four years from actual championship).
• Course maintenance programs developed; discussions begin with superintendent regarding labor, equipment, on-course drainage and current agronomic practices.
• USGA championship agronomist and superintendent inspect all playing surfaces (putting greens, tees, closely mown and rough areas, bunkers, etc.) to determine how these surfaces will withstand seven days of practice and championship play, as well as any extreme weather. Does the rough need to be renovated? Do bunkers need to be restored or sand replaced? Do any trees need to be pruned or removed?
• All revision plans must be completed no later than 18 months prior to the championship.

Four Years Out:

• Operational layout of course developed with general determinations of locations of grandstands, tents, merchandise tent, corporate village, TV compound and media center.
• Marketing strategy, packages and pricing developed for corporate hospitality.

Three Years Out:

• Traffic and parking plan developed.
• Corporate hospitality program unveiled.
• Begin working with local community on law enforcement and security. Ensure that all plans fit with local environment.

Two Years Out:

• On-site volunteer program begins.Volunteers are recruited through application process.
• Grooming begins on the course.
• # Final preparations are begun. All major revisions to the course are completed. Henceforth, it’s only maintenance (trimming trees, adding sand to bunkers or grooming the rough to exact specifications).

One Year Out:

• Permit process finalized.
• Finalize layout, parking and traffic plans.
• Finalize mass transit (buses, trains) schedules.
• USGA Member ticket applications for the following calendar year’s Open accepted from March 1 to April 15; general public ticket applications accepted from day after conclusion of current U.S. Open to April 15. Final Six Months
• Construction of grandstands, tents and other facilities begins.
• Final preparations are made to the golf course. By Sunday of championship week, everything should be ready for the world’s best players and spectators.

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Visit The US Open Championship Official Website at http://www.usopen.com