Oak Hill Country Club’s East Course has been completely redesigned by the PGA Tour professionals who participated in the 2013 PGA Championship. They will be returning in May 2023 to play in the tournament.
Andrew Green, renowned architect of golf courses, has been working on a massive renovation for many years. His goal was to bring the East Course back to its original design that Donald Ross designed nearly 100 years ago in Pittsford.
Kerry Haigh, Chief Championship Officer of the PGA of America, is eager to find out how the top players from around the globe will tackle the historic tract of Pittsford.
“I cannot wait for the championship and the top players to come to Oak Hill to be challenged by it. It’s going to be great,” Haigh stated Wednesday, during a visit to the course to see how it had survived the mild winter.
Haigh has been setting up courses at the PGA of America’s most prestigious events for nearly three decades. Haigh first visited Oak Hill for the Ryder Cup in 1995. He’s seen Oak Hill in almost every scenario imaginable, including in May for two Senior PGAs and August for two PGAs. In September, he was there for the Ryder Cup.
This version may be his favourite. Haigh stated that Oak Hill was a great course for golf and will continue to be so.
What is Oak Hill’s East Course different?
First, hundreds upon hundreds, many of which were majestic in their size and beauty, were removed. The place will look vastly different visually. Additionally, the absence of these trees will affect shot values in all aspects – from the tee to the approach, as well as chipping around the greens.
Haigh stated that “the removal of some trees will give the players more options than they had which I believe will lead to more excitement and possibly more birdies.” Because there were so many trees, players were forced to chip into the fairway in order to get shots. There’s now an opportunity to hit shots towards green. It will be more enjoyable for the players, I believe.”
Every green was fitted with state-of-the art drainage. This is a blessing for heavy rains. All putting surfaces were also replanted several years ago with a new variety of grass. The layout of many greens has been modified to allow for more pin placement options. Many of the areas in front have been reduced to almost the length of greens, which will allow for more creative play.
Many of the bunkers were rerouted and filled with new soil. Several new tees were also built, which makes the layout nearly 7,400 yards. This is quite an impressive feat for a par 70.
Three holes were also renovated, including one elimination. The par-3 old sixth hole, which was the site of four holes in one during the second round 1989 U.S. Open, has been replaced by a shorter par-3 hole that will now serve as the fifth hole. The fifth hole is no longer No. 6, and is now a challenging 504-yard par-4. The par-3 15th hole has a completely different green. It has been repositioned, and the menacing pond is no longer on its right.
The PGA Championship 2023 will take place in May.
e The PGA Championship will no longer be played in mid-August, when it is hot and humid. It was moved to the third week of May, which could pose all sorts of weather-related issues in Rochester.
Oak Hill has hosted two major tournaments in May – the 2008 Senior PGA Championships and the 2019 Senior PGA Championships – and both faced formidable challenges. Morning rounds were often played in temperatures of the 40s, with windchill becoming a factor if there was wind. Haigh stated, “Pretty cold, if I remember correctly.”
The notoriously wet spring in Rochester made the rough almost impossible to play at times. Although that was only the 50-and over crowd, even those on the regular tour of the city will find it difficult to navigate the narrow fairways. The rough is just as lush in these Senior events.
Haigh stated that Oak Hill has always placed a premium on driving accuracy and that it hasn’t changed. He was also asked about the course’s defensive measures. “Now, if they hit it into the rough (without a tree in their way), it may be a shot but it’s still going be extremely difficult because we know that the rough at Oak Hill in May will be very tough.”
As they determine how long to mow the rough, Haigh and Oak Hill superintendent Jeff Corcoran will need to monitor its thickness.
Haigh stated that there is a balance where you want it to be difficult, but not so hard that it makes it impossible for the players. “Otherwise, that kind of defeats all the purposes of all the changes made here at the club (to foster greater shot-making options).
We are only two months away from the tournament’s start, however hard it may seem.
Haigh stated, “I couldn’t be more excited every single time I walk around here,”
