The USGA is "nearing the point when it will have to make a decision on playing the U.S. Open at Winged Foot in June," according to Jeff Williams of NEWSDAY. USGA Chief Brand Officer Craig Annis said, “I would look at the next two weeks as being critical for us to make a go, no-go decision on the dates we set at Winged Foot.” Williams notes construction on the infrastructure at the club "was halted three weeks ago." Annis would "not say whether alternate sites like Oakmont near Pittsburgh or Pinehurst in North Carolina were being considered, but he didn’t rule out moving the event or the Women’s Open in Houston set for June 4-7." Annis said that the USGA is "committed to Winged Foot." Annis: “We are fundamentally set on two things: The date that we have and the location we have" (NEWSDAY, 3/31). It was reported last week the tournament would stay at Winged Foot, but not in June.
JACK OF ALL TRADES? In Columbus, Rob Oller cites a source as saying that only three courses "could easily fill in" for Winged Foot on the fly: Oakmont, Pinehurst No. 2 and Muirfield Village in Columbus. Both Oakmont and Pinehurst have "hosted multiple majors," while Muirfield has not. Is that a "detriment, or might golf’s decision-makers decide it’s the right time for new blood?" Meanwhile, the PGA Tour's annual Memorial Tournament at Muirfield "continues its normal planning until what already appears to be a low-percentage shot of happening turns impossible" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 3/31).
