Following the success of the Amateur, the USGA formally made the announcement that had traditionalists cheering: the US Open would return to Merion in 2013, adding to the memorable championships of 1934, 1950, 1971 and 1981, the last of which was claimed by Australian David Graham.
"No potential Open site had been through such rigorous review," says Craig Ammerman, a former member of both the USGA's championship and executive committees, when recalling the vote and preceding debate that took place.
It now means that this month's winner will join a roster of Merion champions that is second to none. It has also returned a sense of pride to the members of this most distinguished and traditional of clubs. "[The US Open] It's kind of in the DNA of the club," 2005 US Walker Cup Captain and Merion member Buddy Marucci says.
Olin Dutra, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino and David Graham have all been crowned US Open champions at Merion but the venue was also the setting for the historic "Grand Slam" in 1930, achieved when Bobby Jones clinched the final at the 11th hole to win his second US Amateur at the club. Jones had earlier set himself up for a tilt at the Slam by winning the US Open, the Open Championship and the British Amateur, criss-crossing the Atlantic by ship over a four-month stretch. Jones promptly retired from tournament play following this win and a gold plaque to the right of the 11th tee commemorates the momentous occasion.
Despite its grand history, Merion will be unfamiliar territory to most golf fans and all but a few players who were fortunate enough to have played in the US Amateur and Walker Cup in recent years. Defending champion Webb Simpson hadn't even been born when the championship was last staged, although he did contest the 2005 Amateur, losing in a second round match to Anthony Kim.
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