Dining on the Green

Fast forward a century. Helen Hoey, a conceptualist designer, integrated a gentlemen’s table within the lush greens of the course. “It was effortless because this environment is so historic, and you can feel the energy of what’s happened here,” says Hoey. She wanted the table setting to reflect a club atmosphere, and at the same time appeal to the male eye.

With the table sitting just off the 18th fairway, an antique rug was positioned on the green to blend the table in with its surroundings. Fine linens were covered with Oakmont’s signature Squirrel centerpiece, china, and a set of majestic candelabras. Preferred Michael Kobold watches were wrapped around napkins to be given as host gifts.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then The Champions Grill needs no explanation. This true historic golf room is reserved for photos of winners of Championships played at Oakmont. Intact from earlier years, marks from golfers’ steel spikes cover the original wood floor. “When I walked in the room, I knew the table had to embody the Men’s Open Championship trophy,” tells Hoey. “It’s a room of celebration.” She began with a ruby red, turn-of-the-century table cloth. With the trophy being the focal point, everything was designed around it. Flowers were only used as drink stirrers, so as not to detract from the infamous centerpiece. The original bar from Froggy’s Tavern (also built in 1903) was purchased and then inaugurated into its final resting spot: the Champions Grill at Oakmont.

The Pool’s Grill Room is one of the newest buildings. Mr. Fitzgerald explained that after World War II, memberships were in decline. A pool was installed to attract families, changing Oakmont’s tradition of being strictly a golf club. Hoey took advantage of the casual, multi-purpose room with natural slate flooring. “I wanted a fun flavor, and to use things to engage the kids, so what would be better than caramel apples and M&M’s?” says Hoey. “It’s done the Oakmont way, where it’s understated and not fussed up,” she adds.

Overlooking the 9th and 18th greens, the Dining Room offers a semi-formal dining experience with a spectacular view (which can be seen on page 21.) Hoey kept the table setting monochromatic with hints of bronze. “The interior has a turn-of-the-century elegance,” says Hoey. She used a 19th century neoclassical urn with simple white roses for a centerpiece. Bronze candelabras with dangly crystal teardrops, reflect the period and history of the room.

The Fownes Library is dedicated to William C. Fownes Jr., eldest son of Henry. A devoted golfer, he won the U.S. Amateur in 1910 and was President of the USGA from 1926-1927. Rigorous about golf, he resigned his presidency of the club when discussions of building a swimming pool began. A dignified painting of W.C. keeps watch over the library.

In this setting, Hoey started by covering the table with an Aubusson rug. Aubusson, a town in central France, is famous for its tapestry and rugs. “To me, this room evokes the feeling of the tapestry of Oakmont,” she explains. She swathed fresh flower garlands through a 1940s Baccarat candelabra, to convert the room into holiday mode. Her initiative was to create a dining experience that could be duplicated in the privacy of anyone’s home.

An artist’s rendering was used by architects in the early 1900s to show the developer what the clubhouse would look like. Blueprint technology was not available yet, and these renderings were far more appealing.

Oakmont is the only club in the country to have both the club house and golf course designated as National Landmarks. “Anything we do here has to be approved by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation,” says Mr. Fitzgerald.

The course at Oakmont has permanent footprints of days gone by. It has hosted three PGA Championships, five U.S. Amateurs, eight U.S. Opens, one U.S. Women’s Open, and three National Intercollegiate Championships.

With another Women’s Open scheduled for next summer, Oakmont’s history shows no signs of slowing down.