In 1986 Raymond Floyd set the mark as the oldest winner of the U.S. Open, at 43 years old, eclipsing Ted Ray by five months. (USGA Photo Archives)

By David Shefter, USGA
Far Hills, N.J. -- Shortly after a successful Walker Cup in 1977, there were overtures being made about Shinnecock hosting a U.S. Open once again. The last Open held at the course was 1896 when advances had not been made in equipment and there was no television or radio coverage. That event had drawn 58 entries; an Open in this era would attract 5,000-plus entries. And there would be more spectators venturing out to Southampton than a century ago.

Said two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw: “An Open at Shinnecock? It would be great. But there should be no television towers. A U.S. Open at Shinnecock should be broadcast on the radio.”

As sentimental as those remarks were, it spoke volumes about the layout of this historic venue. Shinnecock did not have the infrastructure as other traditional venues such as Oakland Hills, Winged Food, Oakmont or Olympic Club.

The club’s remote location– it’s more than a two-hour drive from Manhattan – was one potential shortfall. Getting thousands of spectators to the course would be a challenge since only one road (Route 27) led into the site. Where would everyone park? Where would corporate tents be situated? How many spectators could the grounds hold?

Plus, many Shinnecock members were not around during the winter months (also true to this day), which could be detrimental to organizing the many volunteers required to run a successful championship, especially an event with the magnitude of a U.S. Open. The USGA still wanted to move forward. The first proposal presented in 1980 could not produce an agreement, but when the sides met again a year later, progress was made. In a break from tradition, the USGA agreed to take over full responsibility for the planning and operation of the Open, something the Association now does on a regular basis. The club accepted.

Suffolk County agreed to spend $80,000 on the construction of a footbridge that would enable spectators to cross over Route 27 to the course. Attendance would be limited to 17,000 per day as opposed to the 30,000 a year earlier at Oakland Hills.

The Long Island Railroad ran express trains from New York’s Penn Station to the station at Shinnecock, which was just a flip wedge from the course.

On the course, few alterations were required. New tees were constructed to stretch the course from 6,740 yards to 6,912 yards. The fairway landing areas were narrowed to 28 yards and the edges of bunkers were sharply defined.

When the competition concluded, the USGA proclaimed the 1986 U.S. Open as one of the most successful ever, something then-USGA Executive Director Frank Hannigan had predicted from the start.

Opening Eyes
The course made a strong statement that it could host a U.S. Open. The winner, 43-year-old Raymond Floyd, was the only competitor to better par (1-under 279) over 72 holes. On the first day, no competitor broke par (Bob Tway fired an even-par 70) while half the field failed to break 75.

Corey Pavin won the 1995 Open as the only competitor to shoot even par at Shinnecock. (USGA Photo Archives)

Said Tway after his round, which included one-putts at 10 of 18 greens, “I have never played such a hard course in such hard conditions.”

Floyd, in fact, opened with a 75. The par-4 18th hole was the toughest, playing to an average of 4.91. Reigning Masters champion and four-time U.S. Open champion Jack Nicklaus lost a ball for the first time ever at a U.S. Open when spectators and officials failed to locate his errant tee shot at the par-4 10th. “If I had made the little putt at 18, I’d have been happy with a 76,” said Nicklaus, who survived the cut and finished in the top 10.

Joey Sindelar established the competitive course record in the second round with a 66. That day also produced a record nine-hole score by Danny Edwards, whose back-nine 30 would be bettered by Neal Lancaster in the final round.

The next three U.S. Open winners – Scott Simpson, Curtis Strange and Hale Irwin – all failed to survive the 36-hole cut.

Conditions remained ideal on Saturday for the third round and 27 players posted rounds of par or better, including Mike Reid and Hal Sutton, both of whom shot 66 to tie Sindelar’s course record. Greg Norman was preparing to run away with the title until a disastrous double-bogey 6 at the 13th hole moved him back to a share of the lead with Lee Trevino.

An overzealous fan unnerved Norman at the 14th hole, which produced a confrontation between player and spectator, but things eventually settled down. Norman, however, continued his struggles on Sunday with a final-round 75 to tie for 12th. Lanny Wadkins and Chip Beck both made a significant move with 65s to surpass the course record by one. But Floyd posted a final-round 66, which included a clutch birdie at the par-5 16th to seal the victory.

That week, Floyd had replaced his 9-iron with an extra wedge, a move that did not look so intelligent when he faced a 118-yard approach shot into the wind that called for a 9-iron. Floyd went with an 8-iron, but seconds before executing the shot, a clicking noise emanated through the gallery from an aggressive photographer positioned directly behind Floyd. Floyd backed off, stared down the guilty party and had him moved to the side. His ensuing shot landed 8 feet from the flag, setting up the birdie that made Floyd the oldest winner of the Open. (Incidentally, Irwin would break that mark four years later.)

Floyd, a Shinnecock member, will again return to the site of his 1986 triumph this summer as the USGA extended him a special exemption to the 2004 U.S. Open, scheduled for June 17-20.

Before that championship commenced, club member Virgil Sherrill pronounced that it “will be many a year before the next event is held here.”

Sherrill didn’t figure on the overwhelming success of the 1986 Open, and nine years later, the USGA returned.

Par For The Course
Corey Pavin never was considered the PGA Tour’s longest hitter or most powerful player, but his ability to create shots made him one of the game’s best. Many figured a U.S. Open layout would be his best opportunity to win a major and Shinnecock proved to be the ideal venue.

	A member of Shinnecock, Raymond Floyd will play in this year's Open on a special exemption. (USGA Photo Archives)

That year, the 36-hole cut came at 6 over par and among those missing for the weekend were reigning U.S. Open champion Ernie Els, four-time Open winner Jack Nicklaus and three-time winner Hale Irwin. None of the three amateurs in the field made the cut, either. Reigning U.S. Amateur champion Tiger Woods injured his wrist hitting a shot from the rough during the second round and was forced to withdraw.

Neal Lancaster produced the best stretch of golf, carding a record 29 (6 under) on the back nine in the final round. His 65 not only tied the course record held by Lanny Wadkins and Chip Beck, but it also vaulted him 42 places and earned him an exemption to the 1987 U.S. Open.

The course itself underwent very few changes, although several trees and bushes were removed to create better air flow and light.

The clubhouse went through some renovations, including the addition of new furniture in several rooms and a cedar-shingle roof and siding on the outside.

Shinnecock again proved to be the ideal locale to help the USGA celebrate its centennial. Newport Country Club, another one of the original five clubs, hosted the U.S. Amateur, with Shinnecock getting the Open.

“The anniversary (U.S.) Open deserves to be at a special place,” said Hannigan, “and Shinnecock is a very special place.”

The 156 contestants who qualify for the 2004 U.S. Open certainly will find that out next June.

Part I: Founding USGA Member Shinnecock Hills Has Carved Place In Golf
Part II: Hoyt Catalyst In 1896 Women's Amateur Going To Shinnecock
Part III: Nation’s Top Senior Amateurs Invade Southampton


David Shefter is a staff writer for the USGA. E-mail him at dshefter@usga.org with questions or comments.