I recently came across these Oakmont drone photos online that are pretty neat. Above, is the 14th hole, a green that was once surrounded by trees. The number of bunkers on the course is incredible...I believe it topped 100. The 14th hole has 12 alone. The quantity of trees removed on this golf course over the last 15 years is amazing. Simply put, one could count how many trees remain on two hands.
Below is a great shot of #15 in the foreground with 16, 17 and 18 tees. The native area behind the 18th tee boxes was once mostly trees and that native area was established as part of my internship project. Those are not the famous Church Pew bunkers, but a small replica bunker on the 15th. The famous Church Pews lie between #3 and #4. The 17th hole is a very tough, short Par 4 with a green heavily guarded by bunkers. Interestingly, Vinny Giles (part of our annual Walker Cup contingent) is the only golfer to ever get a hole in one in the history of Oakmont CC! I believe he accomplished this feat in 2004-2005. Having played this golf hole many times, I can't begin to tell you what a feat that is. As you can see, there isn't a way to roll it up on the green.
