Merion joins Pebble Beach and others as the USGA's fourth U.S. Open anchor site
The Main Line golf club will host the U.S. Open in 2030 — and every 10 years after that — as well as the Women’s U.S. Open in 2034 and 2046.
Merion Golf Club will continue to host historic USGA championships for decades to come after the United States Golf Association announced Thursday that the club has been designated as the fourth U.S. Open anchor site.
The announcement comes just months after Merion hosted the 126th U.S. Amateur, which drew an estimated 20,000-plus fans and marked the most-attended U.S. Amateur on record.
The new designation is meant to strengthen the long-term partnership between golf’s governing body and one of the sport’s most iconic venues, the USGA said in a news release.
“Merion has long been one of the defining venues in championship golf,” said John Bodenhamer, chief championships officer of the USGA. “Its history, architecture, and ability to consistently identify the game’s greatest champions make it a place where every player dreams of winning. The anchor site designation is about more than just semantics. It represents a shared commitment between the USGA and Merion to plan further in advance, make strategic investments, and continually elevate the championship experience.”
The other three U.S. Open anchor sites are: Pebble Beach Golf Links in Southern California, Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina, and Westen Pa.’s Oakmont Country Club, which is located on the Allegheny River in the Pittsburgh suburbs.
The purpose of the anchor sites is to create long-term partnerships with historic venues. Knowing that major championships will be regular occurrences at Merion — nearly every five years through 2050 — will allow the USGA and the club to “better invest in infrastructure, improve the player and fan experience, and enhance relationships with local communities and volunteers,” according to the USGA.
Merion will host the U.S. Open in 2030, 2040, and 2050 and the U.S. Women’s Open in 2034 and 2046. It will be the first time Merion has hosted the U.S. Women’s Open.
The USGA believes that the game’s most iconic championships should be played at the most respected venues.
“For more than a century, Merion has been the home for some of the most memorable moments in championship golf,” Merion Golf Club president Topper Ray said.
Some of those memorable moments include Bobby Jones completing the Grand Slam in 1930, Ben Hogan sticking his famous 1-iron shot on the final hole of the 1950 U.S. Open, and Lee Trevino beating Jack Nicklaus in a playoff to capture the 1971 U.S. Open. Most recently, the club hosted the 2013 U.S. Open, which didn’t see a single player finish at par or better and was won by Justin Rose.
“The Anchor Site designation reflects not only that remarkable history, but a shared commitment between Merion and the USGA to the future of the game,” Ray said. “It also recognizes generations of Merion members whose stewardship, volunteerism, and love of the game have made this club one of golf’s great championship venues.
“As we look ahead, this partnership allows us to continue stewarding Merion for our members, while giving the next generation of champions the opportunity to add to our remarkable championship story.”
