Golf's U.S. Open

June 18, 2009

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Profile America — Thursday, June 18th. One of the most important events of the year’s golfing calendar — the U.S. Open — starts today on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in New York. This is the 109th tournament in the series, sponsored by the United States Golf Association. As the name implies, the contest is open to both amateur and professional golfers. The first winner of the event, played in 1895 on a nine-hole course in Newport, Rhode Island, was Horace Rawlins, who won $150. The first 18-hole golf course in the U.S. opened for play that same year. Now, there are just under 16,000 courses across the country and more than 24 million people enjoy playing golf each year. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2009, p. 318
www.usopen.com
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1203, 1209
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html