This year’s U.S. Amateur Championship will be held at Olympia Fields from Aug. 17-23. First held in 1895, the U.S. Amateur is America’s oldest golf championship, and has been won by notables such as Bob Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. This is the fifth USGA championship to be conducted at the storied club, which has hosted two U.S. Opens (1928, 2003), the 1997 U.S. Senior Open and the 2011 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.
The Chicago area has played a significant role in the history of golf. The first 18-hole golf course in the United States was Chicago Golf Club, one of the five founding clubs of the USGA in 1894. That course’s designer, Charles Blair Macdonald, was the winner of the inaugural U.S. Amateur in 1895.
Tickets
Daily grounds tickets, which provide access to both courses, are available for $25 at usga.org for Monday through Sunday rounds; weekly ticket packages are available for $80 per person. Youths 17 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult (limit two youths per adult). Tickets can also be purchased at the admission gate for the same price. Tickets can also be purchased here.
Spectator Information
Starting times for the first round of stroke play for the 312-player field begin at 7 a.m. CDT on Monday, Aug. 17 on both the first and 10th holes of the North and South Courses at Olympia Fields, with final tee times at 2 p.m. The same schedule applies for the second round of stroke play on Tuesday.
The 64 low scorers from the 36 holes of stroke play will advance to match play on the North Course, beginning on Wednesday and continuing through the 36-hole championship match on Sunday. Starting times for all rounds will be posted at usga.org.
The unique nature of the U.S. Amateur Championship encourages fans to walk in the fairways from hole to hole with their favorite players throughout the week’s play. Although neither rope lines nor grandstands will be present, spectators may choose to bring an armless portable chair to enhance their experience.
Fans may also bring one empty clear or transparent water bottle no larger than 24 oz. in size. Concession stands offering food and beverage will be available throughout the championship site.
Event Parking and Public Transportation
Complimentary parking will be available at Marian Catholic High School for those who intend to drive to the championship. Spectators and volunteers who park at the school will receive complimentary shuttle service to and from the course.
Public transportation is also available through the Metra Electric District Line, using the Olympia Fields stop. The golf course is an easy walk from the train station; weekend passes start at $8. See metrarail.com for more information.
Security and Prohibited Items
All spectators and championship attendees will go through security screening prior to entering the championship grounds. Bags no larger than 6 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches will be permitted, as well as clear or transparent bags no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches deep in their natural state.
- No Weapons (regardless of permit, including but not limited to firearms or knives)
- No Explosives and/or Fireworks of any kind
- No Laptop Computers and/or Full Size Computers (tablets and other mobile devices are permitted)
- No Noise Producing Devices (including portable speakers)
- No Cameras (other than during practice rounds for personal non-commercial photographic use only)
- No video or audio recording at any time with any device
- No Backpacks, Briefcases and/or Bags larger than 6"W x 6"H x 6"D in their natural state
Note: Transparent/clear plastic hand and shoulder bags no larger than 12”W x12”H x6”D are permitted.
- No Signs, Posters and/or Banners
- No Food and/or Beverages except for medical or infant needs
- No Containers and/or Coolers except for medical or infant needs
Note: Transparent/clear plastic water bottles (size 24 ounce or less) are permitted when empty.
- No Pets (other than service animals assisting disabled individuals)
- No Lawn Chairs or Oversized Chairs with Arms (compact chairs without arms are permitted with no case)
- No Ladders and/or Step Stools or other similar items
- No Bicycles allowed inside admission areas or on the championship grounds
- No Metal-Spiked Golf Shoes
- No other items deemed unlawful, dangerous or disruptive by the USGA and/or Championship Security Personnel, in their sole discretion.
Note: The USGA reserves the right to amend the list of Prohibited Items at any time to provide a safe and secure championship.
In the event any of the listed items is found at a security checkpoint, security officers will deny that individual access and the individual will be required to return items to their vehicle. Any attendee that is deemed by the USGA and/or Championship Security Personnel to be willfully attempting to conceal a prohibited item and enter the championship may result in immediate expulsion and loss of ticket privileges for the remainder of the championship.
Mobile Device Policy
Spectators may carry mobile devices (i.e., cellphones, smartphones, PDAs) at the U.S. Amateur Championship and use them for limited purposes on the championship grounds, subject to the following restrictions:
- All device volume controls must be set to “silent” or “vibrate” at all times.
- Phone calls must not be received or placed in any area that may disrupt play.
- Use of approved devices for photographs must fall within the camera/photography policy.
- Video and audio recording are not permitted at any time.
- Texting and email are permissible throughout all areas of the golf course but use should NOT disrupt players.
Violation of the above policy may result in immediate expulsion and loss of ticket privileges for the remainder of the championship.
Camera/Photography Policy
Stand-alone cameras may only be brought, and mobile device camera features may only be used, during practice rounds (Saturday and Sunday) and only for personal photographic use. No photography is permitted in the presence of a player from the time he addresses the ball until the completion of his swing (i.e., when a marshal’s arms are raised). Video and audio recording are not permitted at any time with any device.
Violation of the above policy may result in immediate expulsion and loss of ticket privileges for the remainder of the championship.
Computer Exception: As mentioned in the list of prohibited items, attendees are not permitted to enter the championship with laptop or full size computers. The USGA may grant certain working individuals (e.g., USGA staff, media, public safety, etc.) the ability to bring in a computer for limited purposes on the championship grounds after being screened by security. An “Approved Computer Device” sticker will be issued and placed on the outside of the computer.
Clear Bag Exception: As mentioned in the list of prohibited items, attendees are not permitted to enter the championship with a backpack, briefcase or other style bag larger than 6"W x 6"H x 6"D in their natural state. An exception for all attendees will be that if the attendee is carrying a transparent/clear plastic hand or shoulder style bag that is no larger than 12”W x 12”H x 6”D, it will be allowed into the championship after being searched by security.
Large Bag Exception: As mentioned in the list of prohibited items, attendees are not permitted to enter the championship with a backpack, briefcase or other style bag larger than 6"W x 6"H x 6"D in their natural state. The USGA may grant certain working individuals (e.g., USGA staff, players, media, public safety, etc.) the ability to bring in a larger bag and use them for limited purposes on the championship grounds after being searched by security. An “Approved Oversized Bag” vinyl band will be issued and placed on the outside of the bag in a visible location. In addition, a personal identification tag (luggage tag) should be visible to identify the owner of the bag and that person’s affiliation to the championship.
Water Bottle Exception: As mentioned in the list of prohibited items, attendees are not permitted to enter the championship with a container or cooler. An exception for all attendees will be that if the attendee is carrying a transparent/clear plastic water bottle (size 24 ounce or less), it will be allowed into the championship after being reviewed by security. All water bottles must be empty prior to entry. An example of this type of water bottle is below.