Striped or Shanked: LACC’s “Elite Only” U.S. Open

Arguably the preeminent U.S.-based Major, the 123rd U.S. Open has just wrapped up at The Los Angeles Country Club (LACC). And while the leading story should be Wyndham Clark’s come-from-behind win or Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy’s resurgence in Majors (yes, I know, neither closed), the fact is one of the stories is the golf course itself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LACC certainly looks like a great place to play golf, but after this weekend, it’s clear to me that it is not a good host for a PGA TOUR event, especially a U.S. Open.

As many keen-eyed viewers notice, LACC hosted one of the smallest U.S. Open crowds recently (excluding, maybe, the COVID-delayed 121st U.S. Open at Winged Foot), garnering some comparisons to the frequently-criticized LIV events.

And that, sadly, wasn’t your eyes playing tricks on you. Throughout the weekend, many noted that the crowds looked disappointedly weak for what should be one of the most exciting and difficult events held on U.S. soil this year. And the explanation is, perhaps, even more disappointing than the fact you had two bounce between 3, sometimes 4, different streaming services to watch.

Golf Digest reported that daily attendance was merely 23,000 patrons during LACC. I say merely because the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club had a daily attendance of 40,000—nearly double. The steep decline in attendance can partially be attributed to the fact that LACC is smaller and features less viewing space due to waste areas and canyons, but that doesn’t explain why of the 23,000 daily patrons, 14,000 were allocated to high-dollar suite and hospitality areas, leaving only 9,000 for general admission.

Final pairing on 18 here lol pic.twitter.com/Rq1XrAo4bf

— Iggy (@IggyRileyLA) June 18, 2023

While that’s disappointing in itself, the most salacious rumor may be that 4,500—half—of those tickets were actually available to the “general” public, as the other 4,500 were supposedly bought by LACC (supposedly by the club or its members).

Social media was quick to pounce on the elitist rumor, claiming that LACC members simply took advantage of the situation to prevent “outsiders” from even being at their club.

And while I certainly acknowledge the fact that if I were a member of a high-dollar club like LACC, I probably wouldn’t be thrilled about the USGA shutting down the course to make sure conditions were ready for the pros. But that comes back to why this is shank: LACC simply was not a good U.S. Open venue and shouldn’t be hosting another for years to come (if ever).

Indeed, the very essence of the event is that everyone, even a part-time Uber driver, can compete alongside the top pros in the world. So for the host venue to then bar the general public entirely undermines the event’s spirit.

And some may say is just a salty take, but let’s not overlook the numerous negative criticisms from pros—including defending U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, reigning PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka and young talent Viktor Hovland—over the weekend, both about LACC’s North Course and the lack of crows.

Am I a proponent of the idea that U.S. Opens should only be held on publicly-accessible golf courses, like Bethpage’s Black Course or TPC Harding Park? No, although those are great venues. But a U.S. Open venue should be able to actually support a U.S. Open audience, and that isn’t LACC (along with countless other courses).

Cover Image Via CBS Sports