Renovated Oak Tree National Ready for U.S. Senior Open


In two weeks the world's best senior golfers will find a tough test at Oak Tree National for the 2014 U.S. Senior Open. When they arrive at the club in Edmond, Okla., they will experience a Pete Dye-designed course recently restored by Tripp Davis and Associates.

"The golf course at Oak Tree National went through a variety of design changes over the years since Pete first designed it," said Davis. "We were brought in to regain the best of its original Pete Dye character and we think the pros will be very pleased with the final outcome."

Davis and his team worked to return the original features of the course while adding enhancements for the modern game. All tees and bunkers were rebuilt and restored.

"The greens and greens surrounds were what made Oak Tree so strategic and we like what we recaptured," said Davis, who credits veteran tour professionals Scott Verplank, Bob Tway and Willie Wood - along with club owner, Everett Dobson and project shaper Bill "Hollywood" Willingham - as part of the team that provided ongoing input on course changes.

"It can still be the toughest course in the country, but it is very strategic and option-oriented," added Davis, a former All-American at Oklahoma.

The 2014 U.S. Senior Open will be the second USGA championship at Oak Tree National. The club previously hosted the 1984 U.S. Amateur; it's also been the site of the 1988 PGA, 2000 Club Pro Championship, and 2006 Senior PGA.

The U.S. Senior Open will take place July 10-13. Kenny Perry is the defending champion.