Hit the Links: Golf in Western Pa.

Golf in Western Pennsylvania dates back to 1887, when Joseph Mickle Fox developed an 8-hole course in Foxburg, Clarion County, after learning the sport in Scotland. Other courses followed, including the demanding Oakmont Country Club designed by Henry Fownes in 1903.

The region’s industrial wealth, persevering workers, and rugged terrain made Western Pennsylvania a hotbed for exceptional golf and superlative golfers.

Eventually, the region would produce one of the world’s greatest golfers, Latrobe native Arnold Palmer, whose 62 PGA tour victories, seven major championships, and charismatic persona captivated television audiences and elevated the sport’s global popularity to new heights.

Today, Western Pennsylvania is home to more than 700 golf courses, including the Foxburg Country Club – the oldest golf course in continuous use in the U.S. – and, of course, the Oakmont Country Club, which has hosted a record nine U.S. Open championships.

Visitors to the Sports Museum’s golf section can discover and relive the greatest moments in Western Pennsylvania golf history, from local pro Sam Parks shocking the golf world at the 1933 U.S. Open, to Jack Nicklaus’ 1962 triumph over Palmer in his “own back yard” at Oakmont, to Johnny Miller’s still-unmatched “63” round in the 1973 U.S. Open.

Exhibit Must-Sees

  • Arnie’s Army: The name Arnold Palmer is synonymous with the sport of golf. Discover the story of Palmer’s early years at Latrobe Country Club and view match-worn items such as his signature sweater, golf bag, spikes, and more.
  • Tee Time: Tee off in the golf section with several interactive activities. Examine the evolution of the golf ball, try your hand putting through Oakmont Country Club’s famed “church pew” sand bunkers, sink the winning birdie, and design your own golf course.
  • Curtis Cup Champs: Celebrate the region’s rich amateur golf history and see artifacts from the team that captured five straight Curtis Cup Championships, led by Carol Semple Thompson and Judy Oliver.

Artifact Spotlight: Arnold Palmer's Claret Jug

Arnold Palmer is one of the few athletes to have truly revolutionized a sport. His spectacular play netted him four Master’s championships, the 1960 U.S. Open, and an “army” of fans. In 1961, Palmer captured his first Claret Jug trophy at The Open Championship, also known as the British Open. He would repeat the next year in 1962.