The USGA made the official announcement today: The 2013 U.S. Women's Open will be held at Sebonack Golf Club, the Jack Nicklaus-Tom Doak design in Southampton.
"Not bad for a new course,' said Sebonack's founder and owner Michael Pascucci, who also owns Channel 55.
Ever since Sebonack opened--on a stunning piece of land adjacent to the National Golf Links of America and within view of Shinnecock Hills and the Southampton Golf Club--there has been talk of holding a tournament there. Nicklaus said at the official opening that it was ready "for anything you'd want to have here."
The USGA has been studying the course from the beginning. Its announcement today, in Minnesota, from the site of this year's Women's Open, which starts tomorrow, culminated the process. USGA officials certainly know that the area can handle logistics, having held three U.S. Opens there in the relatively recent past, 1986, 1995 and 2004 (as well as the second one ever in 1895).
Ernie Els, a two-time Open champion, prepared for the 2006 U.S. Open by practicing at Sebonack and gave it a strong review. The rest fo the country will have a chance to take in the natural beauty of the property. "With 13 holes that have a water view, it's going to show up well on television," Pascucci said.