U.S. Open Q&A with Gerry Dulac

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

June 11, 2007

Q: With so much emphasis on the fast greens at Oakmont, do you think that we will see a player like Goosen or Mickelson win because they have such great short games and putting abilities?

Brian, Export

DULAC: Those are two good picks right there. Goosen proved he can handle greens like that when he won at Shinnecock, beating Mickelson. He also proved he can handle treacherous greens when he was in complete control at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2005, until the final round.

June 10, 2007

Q: Is there a USGA limit as to how long a Par 3 can be? Look at No. 8 at Oakmont this year (288 yards)?

Chris Skupien, Plum

DULAC: Well, there always seemed to be an unofficial limit, but not anymore. I mean, there's only 25 yards difference between the eighth hole and the 313-yard 17th, which is a par 4. Twenty-five yards! For tour players, that's about a club-and-a-half difference.

June 9, 2007

Q: After just reading you most recent on-line chat transcript about the US Open, I'm starting to worry a bit. Someone actually asked you if it was "OK to wear shorts?" This kind of boggled my mind. Surely there can't be a dress code for spectators, right? I plan on wearing cut-offs and a tank top. I paid $500 for Trophy Room tickets for Saturday and Sunday. Surely I can wear what I want, right?

Bob Guzik, Beaver

DULAC: Surely, Bob, you are right. You can wear whatever you want, so long as you wear something. Otherwise, you will empty the Trophy Room.

June 8, 2007

Q: Oakmont's greens are supposed to be very fast but also roll very true. How fast will the greens be and how does that compare to the greens in the other majors?

Steve Tresky, Pittsburgh

DULAC: They are the fastest the players will play this year, or any year. They will probably be at 12.5 on the Stimpmeter, which is slower than the greens usually play for the members. Still, that is faster than any other tournament, even the Masters.

June 7, 2007

Q: What do you think the winning score will be at the U.S. Open? We were discussing this week and, with no rain, we figured 5 over; with rain, 3 under.

David McElhinny, Oakmont

DULAC: I'd say that's a pretty good guess. Vijay Singh said the winning score will be 8 to 10 over if its dry. So did John Cook. Tiger Woods said the course is more difficult than Bethpage Black. If it rains, I can see a couple guys under par, though not much more than 3-under.

June 6, 2007

Q: Will we see players at the Open shooting at some of Oakmont's green side bunkers as an alternative to shooting at some greens that will be very difficult to hold? I played Oakmont last week and would have loved to have been in the bunkers when I ended up in the green side rough.

Ken Foltz, South Park

DULAC: Ken, you are correct about preferring to be in the bunkers rather than that nasty greenside rough -- Yikes! The players will feel the same way, though some greenside bunkers are awfully deep and steep.

The only bunkers they might aim for are the ones in front of the green at the par-5 4th, figuring they can still get and up and down for birdie. Maybe the same holds true at No. 12, the other par-5.

June 5, 2007

Q: For the U.S. Open, which three holes at Oakmont will play the most over par (toughest), and which three holes will play the most under par (easiest)?

Gregg, New York

DULAC: I think one of the three toughest holes will be one of the short par-4s, either the 313-yard 17th. which has a shallow green and deep bunkers; or No. 2, depending on the pin position. The other two toughest will be No. 9, a former par-5 that will play as a par-4; and No. 7, which is about 485 yards and could have a blind second shot to the green.

The easiest holes, if there is such a thing at Oakmont, will be No. 4, a 602-yard par-4 that some of the guys will reach in two; No. 5, a 370-ish par-4, and the par-4 14, probably the last of the good birdie holes coming down the stretch.

June 4, 2007

Q: Why was it necessary to remove most of the trees at Oakmont for the US Open? I went to the Open in 1984 and loved the trees.

Bill Merry, McCandless Township

DULAC: The main reason is Oakmont wanted to restore the course to the original links-style look intended by founder Henry C. Fownes in 1903. By doing so, they have improved the turf conditions and also created more grandstand space for the Open.

June 3, 2007

Q: I reviewed the spectator information that was sent to me, and couldn't find the answer to this: Is re-entry allowed if you leave the grounds in the middle of a day? I'm an Oakmont resident, and can easily go home and back within an hour.

John Jacobs ,Oakmont

DULAC: As far as I know, you will be allowed re-entry. You might get your hand stamped, but you can come and go as you please.

June 2, 2007

Q: My brother got four tickets to the final round on Sunday, which he sold, and we purchased Trophy Club tickets for Tuesday's practice round. Think we made a good move? Secondly, what's the best way to watch during a practice round?

Anthony, Canonsburg

DULAC: Hey, Anthony, don't listen to anyone pitching swamp land. The Trophy Club is nice, but the final round is nicer. Hope you got a good price. As for watching the practice round, my suggestion is to bounce around, see as much of the course and as many of the players as you can. You can always relax afterward in the Trophy Club.

June 1, 2007

Q: Are softspikes going to be allowed to be worn by spectators on the course during the Open?

Michael, Woodbridge, VA

DULAC: You can wear anything you want, so long as you wear something. After all, they're not going to let you walk on the greens.

May 31, 2007

Q: How and when can I obtain a tee time schedule for each of the Practice Round Days? Do they issue such a schedule in advance? Or at least, who might be playing on a certain day even if the tee time is unknown?

David Faller, Pittsburgh

DULAC: No tee times for the practice rounds are listed in advance. But they are posted on a big board at the course, usually near the Nos. 1 and 10 tees and the main gate, on the day of the round. Nearly every player practices all three days. One of the exceptions is Phil Mickelson, who usually goes elsewhere to play on Wednesday.

May 30, 2007

Q: Where can I find shuttle transportation to the U.S. Open?

Bill Lockwich, Monroeville

DULAC: I would suggest checking with the Port Authority, though I will tell you the USGA will provide transportation to the course from the two main parking areas -- Pittsburgh Mills Mall and Hartwood Acres.

May 29, 2007

Q: I am taking my 80-year-old father to the Open on Friday, June 15. I can't see him being able to walk up and down the fairways following Tiger, Phil, etc. When would you suggest I do? Sit at a certain hole?

Brian Bianchi, Mansfield, OH

DULAC: Definitely. There are a lot of good grandstand areas at Oakmont that allow you to see several holes at once. That's one of the advantages of having all the trees removed. My suggestion: Sit in the grandstand behind No. 4 green or No. 8 green, or one of the par-3s.

For those unable to walk, a limited number of complimentary scooter carts will be available for disabled spectators on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations will be taken) at the Disabled Services facility just inside the main gate. Special viewing areas for disabled spectators will be provided at various locations around the course.

May 28, 2007

Q: With so many trees now removed, Oakmont CC now seems to be an ideal spectator course, offering sweeping views across several holes at once -- for example, from behind the 10th and 15th tees as well as behind the 4th green. Will the USGA do anything in particular to retain this quality for the spectators in terms of how many grandstands it places on the course and where it places them?

Scott Wible, Pittsburgh

DULAC: No question -- without the trees spectators will now have the delightful advantage of being able to see several holes from one seating location. One of the best will be, as you said, behind the 4th green, where fans can see No. 2, No. 5 and the 288-yard eighth.

May 27, 2007

Q: I am hearing about the increased number of grand stands and grand stand seating/viewing. Will there be less walking access to some portions of the course, less than past majors played at Oakmont?

Ron, State College, PA

DULAC: That is correct. With more grandstand-seating available -- there is one behind every green -- there will be more restricted areas to walk. I haven't seen a map of the roped-off areas, but I'm sure spectators won't be able to walk back to some greens such as No. 3 and No. 6.

May 26, 2007

Q: You stated that a 6 year old would need a ticket to the U.S. Open. The USGA website says that juniors 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult ticket holder. Would you please clarify?

Steve Kelly, Pittsburgh

DULAC: What I said was, I was not sure if that was the policy or not. But, in any event, you are right -- children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. Thanks for checking.

May 25, 2007

Q: Why are both satellite parking lots located on the north side of the Allegheny River and 20 to 30 minues away? What options are there for getting to and from Oakmont if you live in the area that's anywhere from 1-5 miles away? It's silly for us to have to drive 30 minutes out of our way, and then hop on a shuttle for another 30 minute ride back to the Club.

Tom Perlic, Bellbrook, OH

DULAC: It does seem crazy, but no worse than the people who have to drive 45 minutes to an hour merely to get to the parking lots, then have to take a shuttle to the course. But here's one option for you, Tom, that might be viable given your proximity -- walk.

May 24, 2007

Q: If you're going to Oakmont, where are some of the best holes to watch the tournament?

Chuck Witkowski, Cranberry

DULAC: I think some of the best holes are the par-3s, in particular No. 8, because it will play 288 yards. the longest par-3 in U.S. Open history. Another is No. 13, because you can watch that par-3 and also see No. 12, which will be a 667-yard par-5, the longest hole in Open history.

May 23, 2007

Question: Is the U.S. Open sold out? If not, what is the going price for tickets?

George Pohan, El Paso, TX

DULAC: It is sold out George. And the only "going price" will be the price dictated by those guys standing on the street corner, holding a couple of passes in the air.

May 22, 2007

Question: Reading the USGA ticket brochure, I'm not sure if I can bring my 6-year-old daughter in for free or not. Does she need a ticket as well?

Mike Kaper, Mt. Lebanon

DULAC: Yes, she does. And, if she follows Tiger Woods, she will also need a periscope.

May 21, 2007

Question: Did the Open really sell out all of its tickets? Is this because of increased interest, limits of tickets for security reasons or because all the corporate hospitality tents have taken the place of the walk up fan?

Tim Mitzel, Millvale

DULAC: Yes, the U.S. Open really did sell all the tickets, and it has nothing to do with corporate hospitality or security. In fact, more tickets were available this year than in 1994 because of more grandstand space. But it's the U.S. Open, Tim, and if you really wanted to go you shouldn't have waited so long.

May 20, 2007

Question: Which green would you choose to sit at and why?

Raul Valles, Bethel Park

DULAC: I think one of the best greens to sit behind is No. 4, a par-5. You can also get a view of the second hole, the fifth hole and the par-3 eighth hole, which should be a lot of fun, playing at 288 yards.

First published on May 18, 2007 at 5:24 pm