Local Knowledge: Bob Ford, PGA Head Professional

According to Bob Ford, the PGA Head Professional at Oakmont Country Club, except for the rough the venerable layout plays year round for the members close to what it will this week for the 107th U.S. Open.

By John Kim, Coordinating Producer

PGA.com: Bob, Oakmont shows up high on the list on just about every media and golf publication's rankings of greatest golf courses. I guess the most prudent question then is, why?

Ford: Well, tradition certainly plays a large part. We have hosted more major championships than any other course. But even more, this is an exceptional course in all facets. It's unique, it's beautiful, and it's really tough. This is the only course that the architect (Henry Clay Fownes) ever designed, so it truly is a one-of-a-kind. It's a fair golf course, but errant shots are treated as errant shots. There are no water hazards on the course, but it might be the most penal course in the world. We have 210 bunkers, any one of which can get your attention. Of course, the Church Pews bunker has some great history to it. The greens roll very fast and the rough can be very thick. It is a fantastic test of championship golf and I think people recognize and appreciate that.

PGA.com: Your course is also a National Historic Landmark. How does a golf course become a historic landmark?

Ford: This came about in 1987 when Bob Hackett, the president of the club, carried that through fruition. Basically, there has been so much great sports history here. But, also, our clubhouse is the same clubhouse as the one that opened in 1903. We've added on, but the original structure is still there. The course routing is still the same.

PGA.com: Kind of like walking back in time when you visit Oakmont?

Ford: In a way, yes.

PGA.com: With all of the accolades and championships, I think it's fair to say that people expect a once-in-a-lifetime experience when they visit Oakmont. But you've already said that the course is very penal and tough. Is it okay for visitors who may be pretty good golfers to visit your course and endure a tough round?

Ford: Visitors will always get a top-tier experience and fondly remember their time at Oakmont. But it is true, their round may not be similar in terms of score to what they are used to at their home courses. We are the one course that does not widen its fairways after a championship. The same width of fairway that you see in the U.S. Open is the same width our members will be playing next week. The only change might be the height and thickness of the rough.

PGA.com: And you don't get too much flak from the members for the tough conditions?

Ford: [laughter] The members take pride in the test. They like to bet their guests when they come visit the course.

PGA.com: You recently made some golf history yourself in a way. I heard you, in consecutive weeks, bettered your score in tournament play by 29 shots?

Ford: [laughter] That's true I guess. Last year I played in a tournament with an injured back. I finished my round but barely. I went on to shoot a 91, was hitting the ball all over the place, including out-of-bounds. The back healed and I played in a tournament the next week. Shot a 62.

PGA.com: You tried to qualify for this year's U.S. Open.

Ford: I did. I think I'm 3 for 30 in qualifying for U.S. Opens, so I'm used to not making it. But it's always so much fun and a real treat to be part of the process, to see who is out there qualifying and see who makes it. I've qualified and I know how special it is to get in. That's always fun to see the faces on the people who do make it.

PGA.com: Had you made it in, and with your expertise on this course, would you have been the automatic favorite to win?

Ford: [laughter] I don't think so. I'm 53, I don't have the length to compete with those guys. But it would have been fun. Now I'm just going to concentrate on being a good host and making sure all the other players who are playing will have a great experience here.