Oakmont Country Club To Host 2010 U.S. Women's Open

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Far Hills, N.J. - Historic Oakmont Country Club, in Oakmont, Pa., which has been host to 13 national golf championships, including the recent 2003 U.S. Amateur, has been selected to host the 2010 U.S. Women's Open, the United States Golf Association has announced. The championship is scheduled from July 4-11, 2010.

Designed by H.C. Fownes and opened in 1903, Oakmont is generally regarded as one of the most difficult layouts in the country. Ernie Els won the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont in 1994 at 5-under-par. Patty Sheehan won the 1992 Women's Open at Oakmont in a playoff over Juli Inkster after finishing at 4-under-par for 72 holes of regulation play. Nick Flanagan of Australia won the Amateur title at Oakmont in August 2003.

Overall, Oakmont has hosted more USGA championships than all but Merion (Pa.) Golf Club (16) and The Country Club (Mass.) and Baltusrol (N.J.) Golf Club (15 each). The U.S. Open is scheduled to be played in 2007 at Oakmont, from June 14-17.

"Oakmont has a rich tournament history, for both men and women, and we are glad to welcome the best women golfers back to western Pennsylvania," said Bob Wagner, Oakmont president. "It's an exciting time for us, and we look forward to seeing the women again take their place in Oakmont's famously competitive and enduring golf tradition."

The Women's Open championship is open to women golfers who have a Handicap Index not exceeding 4.4. It is the oldest championship open to women professionals and amateurs. Among the notable recent winners of the Women's Open are Juli Inkster (1999 and 2002), Annika Sorenstam (1995 and 1996) and Karrie Webb (2000 and 2001). Hilary Lunke claimed the top prize in 2003 at Pumpkin Ridge (Ore.) Golf Club by edging Kelly Robbins and Angela Stanford in an 18-hole playoff. The championship was first held in 1946. It is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA.

Prior to 2010, the Women's Open will be held at Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, Mass., from July 1-4, 2004; at Cherry Hills Country Club in Englewood, Colo., from June 23-26, 2005; at Newport Country Club in Newport, R.I., from June 29-July 2, 2006; at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Pine Needles, N.C., from June 28-July 1, 2007; and at Interlachen Golf Club in Edina, Minn., from June 26-29, 2008. The site for the 2009 championship has not been determined.