The Plaques Of Merion

By Alex Miceli

	A close-up of Bob Jones' plaque on the 11th teeing ground. (Jessica Foster/USGA)

Ardmore, Pa. - Merion Golf Club is known by most for their prominent baskets that grace the flagsticks of each of the 18 holes on the East Course. But the club and course are really a gallery of golf history with 17 USGA championships to its credit, including this year’s U.S. Amateur.

Of course the 1930 Amateur is the one everyone remembers most. That’s the year when Bob Jones defeated Eugene V. Homans, 8 and 7, finishing up on the 11 hole and completing the "Impregnable Quadrilateral of Golf" as O.B Keeler called it. Today it’s better known as the Grand Slam.

Many also remember Merion for that famous picture of Ben Hogan hitting a 1-iron on the 72nd hole to put him into a playoff at the 1950 U.S. Open, which he eventually won over Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio by shooting a 69 to capture his second Open title.

Both of these feats are marked by stones. Jones’ achievement is marked on a plaque that is attached to a boulder next to the 11^th teeing ground.  Hogan’s marker is on the 18^th fairway.   

The 1989 U.S. Amateur, won by Chris Patton, added more history to the 11^th hole. A short par 4 of 367 yards, it was the turning point when Patton defeated Danny Green 3 and 1.

The Ben Hogan Plaque, located on the 18th fairway, commemorating his famous 1-iron shot during the 1950 U.S. Open. (Jessica Foster/USGA)

Green would take six shots both times on the 11^th, while Patton would win the 12^th in the morning and then lose the 13^th to stay just 1 up. Closing with 3s at the 17^th and 18^th, Patton took a 3-up advantage into lunch.

Scott Smith, Merion’s president at the time, remembers Patton requesting a lunch of three cheeseburgers, apple pie and vanilla ice cream. He then asked to use a telephone and called home. A portion of the short conversation has been reported as follows:

"How’re ya doin’, son?" said his mother.

"Guess you could say I’m winnin’, Mom. Dad there?" asked Patton.

"Nope. He’s out fishin’,’" came the reply.

	A marker identifies the area where a time capsule has been buried on the East Course. (Jessica Foster/USGA)

On Jan. 1, 1997 the club celebrated its centennial year by burying a time capsule next to the base of the flagpole, which sits between the 14^th and 18^th holes. A plaque rests nearby.  The time capsule will be exhumed on the same day in 2047, and when opened, the following are its treasure:

• Richard Heilman’s 1986 club history
• Desmond Tolhurst’s 1989 club history
• U.S. Open programs from 1950, ’71 and ‘81
• Commemorative centennial calendar and plate
• All issues of the 1996 Fore magazine
• Merion’s 1996 golf schedule
• Roster of 1996 members
• Annual report for 1996
• Menus, scorecards, a putter, a dozen balls
• Current issues of GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest
• New York Times & Philadelphia Inquirer dated 12/31/96
• Photos of the East Course
• Letter from President Rusty Sharp to the 2047 president

Alex Miceli is a free-lance writer whose work has appeared previously on www.usamateur.org.