John Pak is 1-under at the U.S. Open, Andy Olgetree is just behind at 1-over.
Playing in his first U.S. Open, the 21-year old amateur from Scotch Plains, N.J. shot a blazing 1-under during the first round of the U.S. Open. Pak leads the other 13 amateurs in the field of 156.
The U.S. Open is our national golf championship. It is one of the four majors in golf. Normally held in June, the event was rescheduled because of ongoing health and safety concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, it is being played at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York from Sept. 17-20
Pak, currently tied for 17th place, is set to play his 2nd round Friday morning at 7:01 a.m. Golf Channel will cover the championship between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. NBC will have the telecast between 4 and 7 p.m.
Another amateur Andy Ogletree. Winner of the 2019 U.S. Amateur in Pinehurst is tied in 32nd place, he tees off at 7:45 a.m. He shot 1-over, 71 in the first round.
The U.S. Open is conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Recently, the USGA announced establishment of “Golf House Pinehurst” in North Carolina, to include a new equipment-testing facility, innovation hub, museum/visitor center and offices by 2023.
The USGA will also host five U.S. Open Championships in Pinehurst by 2047. The announcement adds four U.S. Open Championships to be contested on the famed Pinehurst No. 2 course – in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047 – to the already scheduled 2024 event.
To see championship photos played in Pinehurst, visit https://bit.ly/35MOf9S.
Feature photo: John Pak finishes his drive on Pinehurst No. 2 during the 2019 U.S. Amateur in Pinehurst.
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter John Patota.
