The Bucketlist

Check off these five USGA Championship worthy courses from your Bucket List in 2021. These courses are all located in the Northeast and are within driving distance for all our readers. Get your drive on!

The Tracks

Oakmont Country Club

Location: Oakmont, PA

Host: 2021 USGA Men’s Amateur, Aug. 9-15

Fifth hole at Oakmont Country Club (Fred Vuich/USGA).

Bucket List Details

Designed by Henry Fownes in 1903 and renovated by Tom Fazio in 2015, Oakmont plays to a par 70 measuring 7,254 yards from the championship tees. Oakmont is known as one of the most difficult courses in North America with 210 deep bunkers, narrow fairways and hard extremely fast greens that slope away from the player. This masterpiece has hosted more combined USGA & PGA Championships than any other venue in the country.

How to Play

If your handicap index is 2.4 or below than your best bet is to enter your state 36 hole qualifier and try to advance to the championship proper. Otherwise, you better know some friends in high places to play as a guest or become a member.

Second hole at Oakmont Country Club (Fred Vuich/USGA)

Sankaty Head Golf Club

Location: Siasconset, MA

Host: 2021 USGA Mid-Amateur, Sept. 25-30

Par-4 fifth hole. (Evan Schiller/USGA)

Bucket List Details

Designed by Emerson Armstrong in 1923 (bunker revisions by Eugene “Skip” Wogan in 1928; revisions by A.W. Tillinghast in 1928; renovations in 2017 by Jim Urbina and C.J. Penrose) this renowned private club is know for its links style layout surrounded by open land and wildlife. This championship venue plays to a par 70 measuring 6,652 yards featuring beautiful ocean views. The iconic Sankaty Head Lighthouse looms over the front nine. Sankaty members are a driving force behind the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund and has one of the few remaining Caddy Camps in the world.

How to Play

If your handicap index is 3.4 or below and you have reached your 25th birthday by Sept. 12, 2021 than your best bet is to enter an 18-hole hole qualifier at one of the designated sites and try to advance to the championship proper. The overall membership is 550 with open membership to qualified sponsor new member applicants. To maintain the family orientation of the membership, properly sponsored legacies are given some priority toward membership. So there are ways to become a member. If that is not in the cards, seek out a way to play as a guest.

Miacomet Golf Course

Location: Nantucket, MA

Host: 2021 USGA Mid-Amateur, Sept. 25-30 (stroke play only)

Miacomet Golf Course, the island’s only 18-hole public facility (Fisher Real Estate)

Bucket List Details

Expanded to 18-holes in 2003 with further renovation to the original holes in 2008 by architect Howard Maurer this links style course offers great character with green sizes ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 square feet. The course is very playable from all tees but is sure to test your skills from the tips measuring 6,739 yards with a par of 70.

How to Play

Miacomet is Nantucket’s only 18-hole public golf facility so you can make a tee-time online at miacometgolf.com. Rates vary through-out the season. You could also join the New England Series run by the NEPGA and play in the Nantucket Invitational, May 25-26. There is currently a wait list for membership. The final option is to enter an 18-hole qualifier for the 2021 USGA Mid-Amateur.

Brooklawn Country Club

Location: Fairfield, CT

Host: 2021 USGA Senior Women’s Open

A look at the par-4 16th green and clubhouse, which will measure 322 yards during the championship. (Russell Kirk/USGA)

Bucket List Details

Brooklawns championship course traces to a nine-hole layout, designed by members shortly after the clubs founding in 1895. In 1930 the course was completely re-designed by architect A.W. Tillinghast and continues to undergo improvements under the direction of architect Ron Forse. 2021 marks the fifth USGA Championship held at the club which will play around 5,999 yards with a par 72 for the 2021 US Women’s Open. The course plays to a par of 71 measuring 6,711 yards from the tips. Accuracy is more important than distance at Brooklawn and the best lag putter always has the upper hand as the the greens featuring outstanding undulation.

How to Play

Any female professional or amateur golfer who turn 50 years of age on or before July 29, 2021 and have a handicap index not exceeding 7.4 can enter the 2021 US Women’s Open to qualify for a chance to play this iconic track. Brooklawn is a private so options to play include joining the club, playing in a golf outing or be invited to member-guest at the club.

Westchester Country Club

Location: Rye, NY

Host: 2021 USGA Women’s Amateur

The West Course is hilly and heavily wooded, rolling through thick stands of pine, oak, and maple and features many blind spots, which adds to it’s complexity and difficulty. (Evan Schiller/USGA)

Bucket List Details

The West Course has a rich history hosting 42 PGA Tour events, the 2011 Senior Players Championship, the 2015 KPMG LPGA Championship and in 2021 it’s second USGA Women’s Amateur. Hole numbers 2, 3, 6 and 17 rated among the toughest year after year during its long tenure with the PGA Tour as it challenges every skillset in your game. The par 72 layout was originally designed by Walter J. Travis and has since been revised by several notable architects including Rees Jones, Ken Dye and most recently by Tom Fazio. The South Course was renovated by Ken Doyle in 2000 has a line up of five par 3’s, some of the best in the Metropolitan area and offers an exceptional experience for golfers of all skill levels.

How to Play

Female amateur golfers with a handicap index of 5.4 or lower can enter a qualifier at sites around the country for a chance to qualify for the championship proper and play both magnificent courses at Westchester Country Club. The club features 70 luxury suites and guest rooms available to members or guests sponsored by a member so there is a stay and play opportunity if you know a member.