After 10 years, Merion got it right on plaque

Merion might not be as perfect as its idolaters believe. But it's a lot closer than it was just a few years ago.

For 10 years, from 2000 until 2010, there was a significant flaw smack dab in the middle of the most historic spot on the historic course.

Everybody has seen the perfectly framed image of Ben Hogan striking his famous one-iron on the 72d hole of the 1950 U.S. Open. The par it produced got Hogan into the 18-hole playoff he won a day later. The photo it produced decorates more walls than Sherwin Williams.

To commemorate that moment, Merion in 2000 implanted a stone memorial on that spot in mid-18th fairway.

"June 11, 1950," it read in typical Merion understatement. "U.S. Open. Fourth Round. Ben Hogan. One Iron."

One problem.

Hogan won the tournament on June 11. But he hit that shot the previous day, on June 10.

And despite Merion's intense devotion to every minute aspect of its history, the mistake went undetected for 10 years.

Finally, in 2010, the mistaken marker was replaced by a new brass plaque that includes the correct date.

The members' sacrifice. Among the many hits Merion members must endure for the privilege of hosting a U.S. Open is the surrender of their clubhouse, with its famous tee-side veranda, to the U.S. Golf Association throughout the tournament.

In the interim, the club's blue-blooded members will occupy a well-equipped hospitality tent between the 13th green and the clubhouse. Or as Merion members like to call it, "camping out."

That location is perfect, close to the clubhouse, the first tee, and the 18th green, yet insulated from the roaming plebeians in Flyers T-shirts and cutoff jeans.

A Merion mess. Merion's name was mud on Monday.

The sporadic downpours, the large crowd, and the heavy foot traffic on the tiny course's limited pathways combined to transform this Main Line haven into Woodstock.

Spectators' clothes were mud-splattered. Shoes were soaked. Many of the paths may be beyond repair. And more than a few fans took unanticipated slides down mud-slicked hillsides.

All that was missing was skinny-dipping in Cobbs Creek.

Best news of the day. Meteorologists predict the rain may stop eventually.

Worst news of the day. Chris Berman will host ESPN's coverage the first two days.

Least surprising news of the day. The enormous merchandise tent sold out of umbrellas.

Best rumor of the day. Tiger Woods had a pool installed at the Main Line mansion he's renting.

Five things overheard at Merion:

1. Middle-aged man responding to his son's report that Tiger Woods had been spotted at a Wynnewood restaurant: "Yeah, I heard he likes bagels with nova."

2. Young man to a friend who had asked a female companion if she'd climbed the Art Museum steps yet: "Dude, spare me, she's from Philly!"

3. Man on 18th fairway to son: "This is the second hole. Tiger will play this one right after the first."

4. A spectator's response to a marshal's call of "Here comes Bubba !": "And there goes the neighborhood."

5. Young man in Phillies hat and T-shirt getting his first glimpse at Merion: "Cool. I might join this place."

Five things not overheard at Merion:

1. "Man, I wish I'd brought more sunscreen."

2. "Those parking lots are really convenient. I mean you could really walk here from Chester."

3. "Excuse me, I know we can't have cellphones, but is beer pong OK?"

4. "Tiger? Tiger who?"

5. "Can't wait for Chris Berman to get here. The man has such a subtle delivery."

U.S. Open limerick

"There once was an Open at Merion.

"A showplace for all that's agrarian.

"But rain struck with force.

"Engulfing the course.

"And now spectators all have to ferry in."