LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – With its 125th U.S. Open Championship on the horizon, the USGA has teamed with Oakmont Country Club and the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association to invest in the area’s public golf courses and community, while opening leadership learning opportunities to those pursuing careers in golf, for its 2025 championship giveback program.
“The key to sustaining growth in the game relies on a thriving public golf ecosystem, and it’s why the USGA has promoted it for more than 100 years,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “Public courses are entryways that provide affordable, player-friendly golf across America. As the game continues to grow as a recreational sport, we need to ensure these community gems have the tools they need to succeed – and it starts with us.”
Allegheny County’s historic North Park and South Park golf courses – each of which has hosted a USGA championship in the past – and Pittsburgh’s Bob O’Connor Golf Course in Schenley Park will receive funding to increase participation and support sustainability goals. All three courses provide affordable golf, with rounds under $20.
To further support their economic and environmental sustainability, the USGA Green Section will offer pro-bono consulting services to the three courses as part of the community investment. It includes free use of the DEACON management system – an advanced technology platform created by the USGA to help golf courses improve the playing experience while more effectively managing resources like water, labor and maintenance budgets.
At the regional level, local parks in the boroughs of Oakmont and Plum will benefit from the 2025 community giveback investment, intended to support public green spaces and promote outdoor recreation.
Community “heroes” and charitable organizations in Western Pennsylvania will also be celebrated as part of the USGA’s Champions for Charity program, which offers complimentary practice round tickets to organizations that give back to their hometowns.
The USGA will also continue its commitment to sustainable championships through an event-wide recycling, waste reduction and responsible resource use program, combined with community education.
Future golf leaders will again take part in the USGA’s Pathways Internship during championship week, providing an immersive, paid experience for 24 college or graduate students. The highly competitive program, which provides participants with direct access to golf and business leaders and exposes them to the many career opportunities in the game, attracted over 700 applications this year. Supported by foundational sponsor Deloitte, Pathways delivers teambuilding, one-on-one mentoring and networking activities while students work together on capstone projects.
The community giveback program demonstrates the USGA’s commitment to work for the good of the game and its future. National advocacy for issues important to golf’s future, like publicly accessible golf and sustainability, are paired with projects and initiatives from the host community, with direct input and shared investment from the host club, regional community leaders and the USGA’s Allied Golf Association network.
“This investment impacts public golf at the local, city, county and state level, and we couldn’t be more excited to team with the USGA to promote an affordable, accessible game,” said Terry Teasdale, executive director of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association. “This program shows how golf can impact our community and benefit those who play every day and work in our industry.”
Recent studies show that the U.S. Open Championship delivers more than $200 million in total economic impact back to communities each year in direct, indirect and induced spending – and the creation of more than 1,500 jobs during U.S. Open week.
“There’s so much good that comes from hosting a national championship, and we want to shed light on all of it,” said John Lynch, president of Oakmont Country Club. “This year, we’re showing the golf community what the City of Champions is all about, and making sure golf is part of its sports legacy.”
To learn more about the 125th U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont, visit usopen.com.