Turfgrass Science Major Works on Oakmont Course, Sees U.S. Open Up Close
Spending hours near the famous Oakmont Country Club golf greens and watching the pros play one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world would seem like a dream for many people, but for Penn State senior Ryan Ifft, it was the culmination of three years of hard work.
As part of an internship, Ifft spent more than 12 hours a day with other Oakmont grounds-crew members preparing the greens for the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who were among the pros descending on Oakmont for the U.S. Open golf tournament last July.
Preparations for the Open started before Ifft, a Turfgrass Science major from Saltsburg, Pa., began interning at the Oakmont Country Club. Day-to-day activities before the big event included hand mowing greens, trimming tees, repairing divots and raking bunkers.
Most importantly, Ifft was part of the restoration of the original Oakmont golf course. That project began a few years ago, when many trees were cut down, bunkers were reconstructed and greens reshaped to bring the course back to the way it was first built.
“Black-and-white photos taken around the time the course was first opened were used as a guide to perfectly make the changes required to bring the course back to its original design,” he says.
During the Open, when he wasn’t mowing the greens or being called upon for last-minute duties, Ifft was listening to ESPN’s Chris Berman and following Woods from inside the ropes.
“It was awesome being that close to one of the greatest golfers of all time during the final round of the U.S. Open,” he says.
Ifft says a trip to Penn State four years ago helped him to discover his future career. “Turfgrass looked interesting because I like the outdoors and playing golf, so this major will allow me to work in an environment I love,” he says.
While working at Oakmont Country Club, Ifft says he learned many important fundamentals from Oakmont head superintendent John Zimmers and his assistants. “But after three years,” he notes, “I also realized that I have a lot more to learn.”