When it was first developed, in 1904, Oakmont Country Club, in western Pennsylvania (the site of this week's U.S. Open) was known for its open terrain, resembling the courses one sees in Great Britain. Over the years, trees were added to bring the course in line with the classic American style.
Recently, as they approached the Open, officials of the Club decided to take the course back to its original layout. Depending on the source, 12,600 to 15,000 trees were removed.
A fan of golf but also a dedicated conservationist, I was dismayed by the news. One cannot overlook the fact that trees add to the ecologic diversity of any landscape; furthermore, and most importantly, they play a significant role as carbon sinks and their loss is especially disturbing as we attempt to mitigate climate change. This is not 1904 and, in my opinion, the decision to bring back the old Oakmont was short-sighted at best.
