From Shaun Micheel on 18 in 2003 to Jason Dufner on 2 in 2013, almost every hole at Oak Hill Country Club has seen its major moments. However, no hole at Oak Hill is more cherished than the 13th.
“This is our signature hole in the golf course. If you look down the fairway, you can understand why this is probably the most photographed hole out here,” Oak Hill C.C. Head PGA Professional Jason Ballard said.
What You Need To Know
- Oak Hill's 13th hole, a par 5 that stretches out 625 yards, is considered Oak Hill Country Club's signature hole
- It not only features a challenging layout with a creek running through the fairway, but trees overhanging the left, bunkers on the right and an abundance of rough
- The 13th is also lined by trees that make up the Hill of Fame, plaques on trees honoring Oak Hill Members and the players who've played there — and made a massive impact on the game of golf
And for as beautiful as it is, it's perhaps even more difficult.
“This is one of the true par fives left in golf. Its’ really a three-shot hole and the layup is very, very difficult,” Ballard added.
A restoration in 2020 brought the tee box of the 13th back 30 yards, adding length for the PGA Championship. It is now playing 625 yards.
“Coming down the stretch, the final round. This is the last par five to these guys will play. This is almost a must birdie if you're in contention,” Ballard said.
And that makes the second shot even more critical. Again, most players will be laying up, but with trees overhanging the fairway to the left and bunkers to the right. Good luck.
“If you just trickle in, you've got a shot. However, if you just go up near the face, you may have to be hitting sideways,” Ballard said looking at the fairway bunkers.
A shot no one at the PGA will ever want to hit. But for mere mortals, it may not be so bad - going off sideways into the trees. If you do, you get another look at what makes this golf course, this hole, so special.
“The Hall of Fame was started by one of our members, John Williams, in the 1950s. His thought was, why don't we honor members, but also people who have given back to the game of golf – on living monuments as opposed to plaques on the ground,” Ballard said walking through the trees that line the 13th.
Plaques that include one of Oak Hill's most famous members, President Dwight Eisenhower, and three of the greatest to ever play - Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer.
“If this doesn't give you goosebumps, I don't know what will,” Ballard said, pointing to the plaque of Nicklaus, Palmer and Player.
Well, perhaps reliving one of the greatest shots ever on 13 would do the trick.
“One of the most iconic shots ever hit on this hole was during the 1995 Ryder Cup,” Ballard said walking on the fringe.
Remember, birdies are a must. And Fred Couples, from just off the green, pulled off the unthinkable. A chip in for the hole win.
“He’s still saying that was one of the loudest roars he's ever heard on the golf course today,” Ballard said of Couples.
I’m sure most would prefer to just be putting for birdie, the way Jason Dufner did it in 2013. He went 2-under on the 13th in 2013, en route to his victory in the 2013 PGA Championship.
One of the plaques on the Hill of Fame is dedicated to Craig Harmon, Oak Hill’s long-time Head PGA Professional who retired in 2013. Craig’s full name is Craig Wood Harmon. He's named after Craig Wood, the Lake Placid Golfer we featured earlier this week.