Discover Oakmont’s Unique Church Pew Bunker: The Fascinating History Behind This Iconic U.S. Open Feature

A Closer Look at Oakmont’s Legendary Church Pew Bunker

In 2007, Tiger Woods visited Oakmont Country Club for the first time. A group of 82 American Express cardholders joined him, eager to watch the 13-time major champion prepare for that year’s U.S. Open. For a hefty fee of $900, they received an unforgettable experience—including a walk around the course and a glimpse of Woods in action.

Standing on the third tee, Woods hit a remarkable shot straight down the fairway. But when a curious fan asked if he could hit from the church pew bunker, Woods simply smiled and said no. The infamous bunker, stretching over 28,000 square feet, lurks in view for every golfer at Oakmont, serving as both a stunning feature and a challenging hazard.

David Moore, the Curator of Collections at Oakmont, describes the church pew bunker as the club’s signature element. It’s often compared to other iconic features in golf, like Augusta National’s Amen Corner or TPC Sawgrass’s 17th hole. Interestingly, the church pew bunker wasn’t part of the original course design by Henry Fownes, who built the course in 1903. His philosophy stated, "A poor shot should be a shot irrevocably lost." Originally, Oakmont featured over 350 bunkers, but the church pews were added much later.

The transformation began after the 1927 U.S. Open when aerial photos revealed six individual bunkers on the left side of the third hole. By the following U.S. Open in 1935, those bunkers combined into the recognizable church pew shape we know today. The name "church pew" first appeared in a 1962 tournament preview, blending history with creativity.

While many believe the design was inspired by Fownes’s son, William C. Fownes, there’s still uncertainty about its true origins. Some think the inspiration may have come from the Springhaven Club, where William often played. Aerial images from 1924 show grass mounds similar to today’s pews, but they didn’t last long at Springhaven.

Interestingly, the church pew bunker has left a lasting mark on golfing culture. It’s not just a local feature; it has inspired designs in courses worldwide, from TPC Scottsdale in Arizona to Bucknell Golf Club in Pennsylvania.

As the world’s top golfers prepare once again for the U.S. Open at Oakmont, the church pews continue to challenge and entice. These fascinating features remind us of the course’s legacy, blending sport with history.

In sum, despite its unpredictable nature, the church pew bunker embodies the spirit of golf: beautiful yet brutal. Whether created by Fownes or inspired by another course, it remains one of the game’s most iconic hazards.

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