Enhancing public golf at heart of $1 million community investment
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • June 6, 2025
In April, the USGA, Oakmont Country Club and the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association announced a significant monetary investment into the region in advance of the 125th U.S. Open.
The community giveback program pledge of $1 million, funded by the three entities — all of which are at least 122 years old — will be divided between multiple ventures throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Of those benefitting, a significant local impact will be felt in public golf.
“The key to sustaining growth in the game relies on a thriving public golf ecosystem, and it’s why the USGA has promoted it for more than 100 years,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “Public courses are entryways that provide affordable, player-friendly golf across America. As the game continues to grow as a recreational sport, we need to ensure these community gems have the tools they need to succeed – and it starts with us.”
Locally, the WPGA continues to take necessary measures in enhancing the public golf experience.
In Pennsylvania, 67 percent of golf courses are public facilities. Through 2024, 45 percent of the WPGA’s membership — which currently sits at over 43,000 people — were affiliated with public golf courses, while more than 13 percent of the WPGA’s membership is in the WPGA Online Golf Club, an online-based club for members who are unaffiliated with any specific course.
“This investment impacts public golf at the local, city, county and state level, and we couldn’t be more excited to team with the USGA to promote an affordable, accessible game,” said Terry Teasdale, executive director of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association.
On the golf course side, bettering and sustaining affordable and high caliber public golf options in Western Pennsylvania was a driving force behind some of the allotment of these funds.
The USGA, with the consultation from local leaders and the courses themselves, identified needed improvements to North Park Golf Course, South Park Golf Course and Bob O’Connor Golf Course and will divvy funds between those three long-time and frequently used courses.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the USGA, Oakmont Country Club, and the WPGA for their generous $1 million Community Giveback to North and South Park golf courses,” said Melissa Swedish, Deputy Parks Director for Allegheny County, which maintains North Park and South Park Golf Courses.
“These funds will support critical upgrades, like irrigation repairs at North Park and essential equipment replacements at South Park, that help us maintain high-quality, affordable public golf experiences,” added Swedish. “Our courses have long been known as the ‘people’s country clubs,’ and this investment ensures they remain accessible and enjoyable for residents and visitors for years to come.”
Currently, North Park and South Park Golf Courses offer rounds of golf for under $20. Bob O’Connor Golf Course does, as well.
Operated by First Tee - Pittsburgh, Bob O’Connor has a lease with the City of Pittsburgh and maintains the grounds donated to the city by Mary Schenley in 1889. The course, which began as Pittsburgh Golf Club in 1896, is regarded as one of the wellsprings of the sport in Western Pennsylvania. One of the course’s early competitors, H.C. Fownes, went on to design and found Oakmont Country Club, which will host its record tenth U.S. Open next week.
The leadership of Bob O’Connor Golf Course hopes to be able to begin some long-sought-after renovations to the course that serves as the home to First Tee - Pittsburgh and is a bastion of public golf for players of all skill levels in the City of Pittsburgh and its neighboring communities.
“With this initiative we are excited to see how we can transform the asset that is the Bob O’Connor Golf Course into a modern, inclusive and sustainable community asset that fosters youth development, enhances the game of golf, advances access to the game and strengthens environmental stewardship,” said Eric Amato, President & CEO, First Tee - Pittsburgh. “This grant helps us explore those components of what this facility can be.”
Amato and others involved with the course recognize that changes are necessary. They hope to replace a 30-year-old irrigation system, to work towards adding all-grass tee boxes and to provide a more enjoyable and modern experience on the course that currently must be traversed by foot.
“From a big picture standpoint, what is the best utilization of the 550 acres that we have,” Amato said of their mission. “How can it be a modern facility to grow with the game? And be an inclusive environment for that?”
In addition to the enhancements to the three golf courses, money will be donated to two public parks in Plum Borough and Oakmont Borough for necessary improvements that will benefit communities beyond golf.
Additionally, a significant investment will be made into the empowerment and development of young people looking to garner careers in the golf and sports industries.
The USGA’s Pathways Internship Program will bring 24 college students to Oakmont Country Club and the region for the U.S. Open next week. Students will be paid for their time and will go through numerous seminars, demonstrations and interactive experiences while gaining a hands-on education during a major championship.
“This program shows how golf can impact our community and benefit those who play every day and work in our industry,” added Teasdale.
The WPGA will play an essential role in welcoming the Pathways interns to Pittsburgh, meeting with them this coming weekend in two different roundtable events.
For any media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and nearly 37,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.