NEWPORT, R.I. — Robert Webster is aware of Newport Nation Membership in addition to one might.
Webster, a co-general chair of the 2024 U.S. Senior Open, bought a summer season residence on the course 25 years in the past. He additionally has been a member on the historic Newport Nation Membership for the previous 11 years.
“I’m a New Englander by means of and thru,” mentioned Webster, who grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts earlier than he graduated from the College of New Hampshire.
Golf followers set to attend the 2024 U.S. Senior Open at Newport Nation Membership this week absolutely don’t have the identical intel. It’s one of many oldest and most unique golf equipment in the US, in any case.
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Webster, although, together with gamers like Rhode Island native Billy Andrade, offered intel on the perfect locations for spectators to observe.
There are a whole lot of them.
Webster highlighted the par-3s, which embody Championship 4 (184 yards) and Championship 5 (203 yards) — the holes are known as “Championship” as a result of Newport Nation Membership flipped from back and front nines for the U.S. Senior Open. These back-to-back par-3s function one which works uphill into the wind and the opposite which works downhill. The course is made for that South-Southwest wind, Webster mentioned, however fully adjustments if the wind does.
You’ll be able to view a number of holes (Championship 1, 2 and three) on the links-style format when standing at Championship 4’s inexperienced.
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“Our par-3s are magnificent,” Webster mentioned. “I can’t consider a par-3 the place you wouldn’t see an thrilling gap of golf.”
However the aura of Newport Nation Membership, very similar to Newport, R.I. itself, is the water. And whereas Championship 12, 13, 14 and 15 would possibly symbolize the additional trek on the 7,024-yard course, the views are nicely price it.
“The beauty of this course is it’s on the ocean,” mentioned Webster, the Atlanta resident noting his summer season house is on Championship 13. “The views from Championship 12 to 13, 14, 15 — that’s the place I’m going to be hanging out.”
Championship 15, very similar to so many different spots on the course, may have bleachers, loos and meals for followers. One would possibly describe it as breathtaking.
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One other overlook is on Championship 9, recognized to members because the 18th. It’s an elevated space the place followers can watch down the left fairway and have their again to the clubhouse. It additionally has one of the crucial difficult greens on the course, Webster mentioned.
The mansion-like clubhouse, designed in 1894 by Whitney Warren, who studied structure in France is one other star of the course. Padraig Harrington, the No. 6 participant on the PGA Champions Tour, gushed about it.
“There’s not many with the clubhouse,” mentioned Harrington, who’s performed everywhere in the world. “I believe that’s distinctive. I’d like to come back right here with nothing right here and simply go up and sit outdoors on the balcony, the clubhouse, and exit and have a look at the golf course. I believe that may be a really good, pleasurable afternoon.”
The clubhouse itself makes the holes close by all of the extra attractive to hold. Whereas on Championship 18, absolutely a well-liked spot Sunday afternoon, followers may have a view of the clubhouse straight forward with the ocean to the fitting within the distance.
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“I simply suppose being round this clubhouse, being up on this hill,” mentioned Andrade, certainty not a newcomer to Newport Nation Membership. “There’s lots on this space. That’s what I might advocate for followers.”
Followers who make the journey to Newport Nation Membership shortly will notice there isn’t a dangerous spot on the historic course. And it may be their solely probability to see it.
Thumbnail photographs through USGA/Fred Vuich
