Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is hosting the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, marking the return of championship golf to this historic venue. The tournament will take place on the recently restored South Course, which underwent a $12 million renovation to bring it closer to its original design by Donald Ross from 1918. This event is the first in a series of eight championships scheduled to be hosted at Oakland Hills between 2024 and 2051.
Following the U.S. Junior Amateur, Oakland Hills will host prestigious tournaments like the Women’s Amateur, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Open, U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur, and more. This lineup of tournaments will culminate in the 2051 U.S. Open, which will mark the centennial anniversary of Ben Hogan’s historic victory at Oakland Hills. Golfweek’s Best ranks the South Course as the second-best private course in Michigan and among the top 50 in the world.
Oakland Hills Country Club has a rich history, having been founded in 1916 and designed by Norval Hawkins and Joseph Mack. The course quickly became home to prominent Detroit residents and hosted several major championships over the years. The South Course was designed by Walter Hagen and has seen many legendary golfers, including major winners like Cyril Walker, Ben Hogan, and Gene Littler.
The South Course underwent several changes over the years, with Ross, Trent Jones Sr., and Rees Jones all making modifications to the layout. The recent restoration by Hanse and Wagner aimed to bring the course back to Ross’ original vision by removing trees, adding bunkers, and enhancing the greens. This restored course features wider sightlines, deeper bunkers, and fast greens characteristic of Ross’ design.
The clubhouse at Oakland Hills, which was originally designed in 1922 by C. Howard Crane, burned down in 2022 but is currently being rebuilt to match the original design. The new clubhouse is expected to open in 2026, preserving the historical charm of the property. This iconic clubhouse has overlooked the course for nearly a century and will continue to be a focal point for visitors and players alike.
As Oakland Hills prepares to host the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and other prestigious tournaments, golf enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing new chapters of golf history being written on this historic course. With its rich heritage, challenging layout, and world-class amenities, Oakland Hills Country Club continues to be a premier destination for golfers and fans of the sport.
