Ever since well-known golf course architect William Flynn put his hands on the property that would become Cherry Hills Country Club, the Denver-area club has carved out a distinction for being one of the country’s top championship venues. The club was born in 1922 from wealthy businessmen in the city and for a sum of $4,500, members procured the services of Flynn, who had redesigned Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, N.Y., one of the five founding clubs of the USGA and now a four-time U.S. Open site.

Cherry Hills first earned its place in the pantheon of championship golf when the 1938 U.S. Open was contested. That championship was won by Ralph Guldahl, but is often remembered for the 19 taken by Ray Ainsley on the par-4 16th hole.

Since then, Cherry Hills has had a tradition of hosting major golf championships. The 2012 U.S. Amateur will be the ninth USGA national championship to be conducted on the layout. It is one of three courses – Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, N.Y., and Hazeltine National G.C. in Chaska, Minn., are the others – to have hosted the U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Amateur.