The USGA’s commitment to elevating the U.S. Open Championship as one of the most sustainable events in golf continues at Oakmont Country Club in 2025 through a Reduce, Renew and Reinvest program aimed at reducing the championship’s carbon footprint and reinvesting in the community.
Specific efforts include:
Reduce
In the last four years, the USGA has reduced virtually all single-use plastics at the U.S. Open. Concession areas feature recyclable aluminum cups and beverage products, and most food containers made from recycled materials. Fans can also bring in their own personal reusable water bottles throughout championship week and refill them onsite.
At the 2024 U.S. Open in Pinehurst, the USGA diverted 63 percent of waste from landfills, as part of dedicated onsite sorting and reduction plan. Water consumption was reduced by 50 percent through a joint effort between the host site, Pinehurst Resort and the USGA Green Section, and by placing water stations throughout the property, single use bottles and cans were significantly reduced – by more than 380,000.
In addition, more than 40 tons of construction materials were donated to local businesses for reuse purposes.
The USGA also worked with a local rail network to create a commuter rail service between Raleigh (a significant feeder market with the closest international airport) to the championship site, favoring mass transit for the first time at Pinehurst over single car use.
The USGA continues to measure emissions at the U.S. Open in an effort to continue this longstanding commitment.
Renew
The USGA and Pinehurst Resort & Country Club have teamed to install permanent power throughout the championship site, which will reduce use of diesel-powered generators not only in 2024, but during the 11 future championships scheduled for the historic venue. Approximate savings include 50,000 gallons of fuel and more than 1.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
Duke Energy Carolinas, our power provider, has also committed to a cleaner energy grid, employing renewable energy from wind, solar, nuclear and hydroelectric, among other sources.
Reinvest
The USGA annually works with our U.S. Open host communities to reinvest in projects that advance the game of golf.
In 2025, the USGA, Oakmont Country Club and the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association will invest $1 million back into the greater Oakmont area, including significant funding to three public golf courses that provide golf tee times for its citizens under $20. North Park and South Park, both part of Allegheny Public Parks, and Bob O’Connor (located in the City of Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park) will also receive pro-bono course consulting services to improve course conditions and sustainability efforts.
The USGA will also reinvest in career development and leadership programs by funding 100 internships at the 2025 U.S. Open. This includes the USGA’s Pathways Internship Program, a 10-day immersive onsite program that exposes college and graduate students to the many career opportunities in golf – from aerodynamics to coding/programming, to merchandising, agronomy and event administration.
The 2025 investment follows a similar commitment to North Carolina in 2024 to fund the Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program at Sandhills Community College and Horry-Georgetown Technical College (S.C.) for the next five years. This one-year classroom/on-course workforce development program was created by the USGA to advance the education and skills of golf course workers, leading to Journeyworker cards, increased pay and career opportunities.
The USGA has also made a $30 million commitment to help the game reduce water usage by as much as 45 percent in the next 15 years, and that investment includes setting a strong example at the U.S. Open.