The Olympic Club (Lake)

Overview: The Lake Course at The Olympic Club is a San Francisco parkland layout whose steep ground, tree-lined corridors, and firm, sloping greens create a demanding strategic test. Willie Watson and Sam Whiting’s design works through the site’s hills, with elevation and approach angles often more important than the apparent width of the fairways.

History: The first Lake Course was designed by Willie Watson and constructed by superintendent Sam Whiting in 1924. Storm damage led Whiting to redesign the course in 1927, and the layout later received targeted championship work, including a new eighth hole before the 2012 U.S. Open.

Did You Know? The Lake Course has hosted five U.S. Opens, including Jack Fleck’s 1955 playoff victory over Ben Hogan and Webb Simpson’s 2012 win.