LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (June 7, 2018) - The USGA has filled U.S. Open week with can’t-miss, on-site activities for fans of all ages at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., from June 11-17.

Upon arriving at the 118th U.S. Open, fans will find themselves at Fan Central, the entertainment hub for those attending the championship – with designated events and various interactive experiences. 

Exploring Fan Central: 
For the first time, fans get a front-row seat to live USGA video interviews at the U.S. Open Live desk, with special guests including 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk and 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson, NFL quarterback Joe Theismann and NY Knicks player Ron Baker. Look for the U.S. Open Live tent overlooking Fan Central for your chance to catch a glimpse. 

The U.S. Open “Epic Putt” will offer fans the chance to challenge themselves on a specially created Shinnecock green. Fans will also have unique photo opportunities to commemorate their time at the championship, including the 118th U.S. Open sculpture located in Fan Central.

Additionally, fans looking to step away from the course can enjoy a variety of unique and interactive experiences and benefits created in partnership with Deloitte, Lexus, and American Express including virtual reality, golf simulators, player autographs, phone charging, and radios.

Access to special events, Q&A sessions with players, photo opportunities, raffles and more can be found inside the USGA Fan Clubhouse throughout the week. 

Visit the Merchandise Pavilion:
Fans can purchase official 118th U.S. Open merchandise at the 37,000-square-foot Main Merchandise Pavilion, which features more than 400,000 U.S. Open-logoed items. Every attendee can take home a piece of history. The pavilion showcases major apparel brands including Ralph Lauren, adidas, Nike, Under Armour, Vineyard Vines and Cutter and Buck, as well as handcrafted souvenirs from local Long Island artisans Bridges Pottery and Hamptons Handpoured candle company.

The Merchandise Pavilion will open to the public for a pre-championship sale, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 7-10 at Shinnecock Hills. Championship tickets are not required for the open-to-the-public merchandise preview and parking is free at Stony Brook University-Southampton, where a footbridge provides convenient access to the Main Merchandise Pavilion. The course will not be open to the public during this pre-championship sale.

During championship practice rounds and competition rounds, June 11-17, the Merchandise Pavilion will open at 7 a.m. and remain open until 8 p.m. or later, when final play is complete each day.

Below is a list of daily highlights and things to see and do while on the grounds at Shinnecock Hills. 

Monday, June 11, at 9 a.m., the USGA will kick off the week of activities with an Opening Ceremony at U.S. Open Live in Fan Central. A warm welcome will be offered by USGA CEO Mike Davis; featured guests include U.S. Amateur champions, local and state dignitaries, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Eastern Long Island Pipes and Drums.

Tuesday, June 12 marks #LoveGolf Day at the U.S. Open. The highlight of the day is the inaugural Celebration of Champions, a four-hole public exhibition honoring the winners of each of the 2017 USGA championships. Amateurs and professionals from multiple generations will play holes 10-13. Eight-time USGA champion Jack Nicklaus will serve as the honorary starter for the exhibition. The 4:45 p.m. event pairs 2017 USGA champions as two-player teams and is open to all fans attending Tuesday's practice rounds.

Wednesday, June 13, young golf enthusiasts are invited to participate in Junior Day. From 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., youths ages 18 and under can practice their skills, have fun at an LPGA/USGA Girls Golf “play station” and learn about the scientific principles that influence the game of golf. All juniors will be able to track each activity on a complimentary “scorecard,” which can be redeemed for a prize at the Merchandise Pavilion throughout the day. Juniors interested in participating are asked to register: U.S. Open Junior Day.

Thursday, June 14, Flag Day will be observed with a formal flag-raising conducted by the United States Coast Guard from Station Shinnecock. The special ceremony honoring our country’s military will take place on the first tee prior to the championship’s first tee shot at 6:45 a.m. All fans will receive a flag pin. 
 
Sunday, June 17, Fans can commemorate Father’s Day by sending digital U.S. Open cards from stations located near Top of the Hill and Fan Central, as well as with photo opportunities in a life-sized Father’s Day photo frame located near the 16th tee. Complimentary Father’s Day souvenir pins will be distributed to all fans attending the U.S. Open on Sunday. The USGA Fan Clubhouse will encourage the use of the hashtag #honortheone to recognize individuals who introduced and shared their love of the game. 

Each day of play, attendees are encouraged to capture and share their U.S. Open Fan Experience via social media with the official hashtag #USOpen and by tagging @usopengolf. Social media users who use the approved hashtags will be entered for a chance to win tickets to the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links. 

Walking the grounds at Shinnecock Hills is a rare opportunity that fans of the game will want to take advantage of. While at the 118th U.S. Open, fans are encouraged to:   

Take a picture with the clubhouse: 
Even from the far reaches of the course, Shinnecock’s clapboard clubhouse stands as a beacon. Designed by famed architect Stanford White, it is the oldest golf clubhouse in the U.S. and is largely unchanged from when the club hosted the 2nd U.S. Open and 2nd U.S. Amateur in 1896. 

Walk all 18 holes:
Cherish the opportunity to see every part of one of the world’s most storied and iconic golf courses. The experience is even more special at twilight when Shinnecock shows off its spectacular hues. 

Visit the Redan hole:
One of the many notable architectural features of Shinnecock Hills is the par-3 7th hole, better known as the Redan for its significant right-to-left tilting green. It tests all aspects of a player’s game. 

Get an autograph: 
Young and old fans alike cherish a player’s signature as a keepsake. The three official practice rounds (June 11-13) are the best days to ask a player to sign a flag, cap or other item. Some may even pose for a photo.

Sit in the 18th-hole grandstand on Sunday:
At every U.S. Open, there is a point in time – and an iconic location – that marks a signature moment in golf history. This year, remember Corey Pavin’s 4-wood approach on the final hole that marked his win in the 1995 U.S. Open at Shinnecock. As players finish their rounds on Father’s Day, know that you are seeing history unfold. 

Transportation and Safety Information 
In partnership with MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), 10 days of expanded service – June 7-17 – along the Montau­­­k branch will accommodate spectators traveling from both New York City and eastern Long Island. Schedule and fare information is now available at: LIRR U.S. Open Information. 

Complimentary parking and shuttle transportation will be provided from Gabreski Airport for all ticket holders, beginning on Monday, June 11, through Sunday, June 17. Fans should allow 30-35 minutes of travel time to/from the two main general fan lots to the championship.

The Hampton Jitney will be providing bus service to the championship. Reservations can be made at Hampton Jitney reservations. 

Fans will undergo security screening, similar to an airport screening, at the parking lot locations, as well as the temporary LIRR Shinnecock station. A complete list of prohibited and allowed items, including approved bag sizes, can be found online at usopen.com.

Limited Tickets Still Available
Various U.S. Open tickets can be purchased online at usopen.com and picked up at Will Call. Juniors 18 and under can enter the championship for free all week with a ticketed adult, and active military enter free Monday through Wednesday.

Know Before You Go 
A complete list of activities and information fans need to prepare for U.S. Open  – including parking, security, events, championship viewing and more – can be found at www.usopen.com/faninfo and on the official U.S. Open mobile app. The app is available through iTunes and Google Play. 

The most complete information source for fans attending the championship or watching at home to learn more about the U.S. Open is www.usopen.com.

About the USGA
The USGA celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment and amateur status rules. Our operating jurisdiction for these governance functions is the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA Handicap System is utilized in more than 40 countries and our Course Rating System covers 95 percent of the world’s golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.