On June 13-16, 2013, The Merion Golf Club‘s East Course will host the U.S. Open Golf Championship for the 5th time.  Considered by many one of the finest in the country, (or possibly “the best test of golf in the world”, according to legendary golf pro Jack Nicklaus), this club has hosted more USGA Championships than any other golf course in the United States.

The 2013 U.S. Open Golf Championship at Ardmore, PA

According to the USGA website, more than 9,800 golfers will attempt to qualify at Merion Golf Club for this 113^th Golf Championship – a record number of entries, (the previous record was set by Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y. in 2009, with 9,086 qualifying entries.) Entrants this year include 52 players who are currently fully exempt into the field, including 11 past champions.

Here is the list of champions who are fully exempt from the qualification process in this year’s U.S. Open, including the year(s) of their previous championship wins:

• Webb Simpson ( 2012)
• Rory McIlroy (2011)
• Graeme McDowell (2010)
• Lucas Glover (2009)
• Tiger Woods (2000, 2002, 2008)
• Angel Cabrera (2007)
• Geoff Ogilvy (2006)
• Michael Campbell (2005)
• Retief Goosen (2001, 2004)
• Jim Furyk (2003)
• Ernie Els (1994, 1997)

Security is already a top consideration for U.S. Open Championship officials, and due to the recent tragic events at the Boston Marathon, personnel is diligently stepping up all security measures even further throughout the Merion Golf Club and surrounding locales, to ensure a safe event for spectators and golfers. This may be particularly daunting task given the compact nature of the venue, but security teams are up to the challenge and preparing for every possible contingency, even though there have been no specific threats with regard to the event.

There will be some road closures in the Merion Golf Club vicinity during the week of the U.S. Open – here are current closure schedules to note if you intend to attend or be driving near this event:

June 9^th-16^th, 24-hour closures:

• Ardmore Ave, from Darby Rd to Haverford Rd
• Golf House Rd, from Ardmore Ave to College Ave
• Haverford Rd, from Ardmore Ave to College Ave

June 10^th-16^th, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. closures:

• College Ave, from Coopertown Rd to Haverford Rd (eastbound)
• Dartmouth Ln (residents permitted with required pass)
• Ellis Rd, from Lawrence Rd to Ardmore Ave
• W. Ardmore Ave, from Ellis Rd to Darby Rd

Buck Ln, College Ave from Darby Rd to Coopertown Rd (to Coopertown School), Coopertown Rd north of College Avenue, Darby Rd and Eagle Rd will remain open to traffic throughout the event, barring any updated schedules to indicate otherwise.

With an expected 25,000 visitors per day, in addition to thousands of volunteers, media crews, security personnel, golfers, course marshals and other event officials traveling in and around the event, area traffic is expected to be especially congested during this exciting week of golf competition.

U.S. Open Transportation

If you have plans to be a spectator at the U.S. Open Championship in Ardmore, PA, and you don’t want to have to keep track of road closure schedules and parking headaches, let us make transportation easy for you and your companions with a hired car, van or SUV – we know the area’s traffic patterns and all the best traveling routes, and we appreciate the opportunity to tackle the driving hassles, so you don’t have to.

Even if you’re not ready to book a car or van service right away, we recommend a rate quote to get started… so you don’t have to make travel arrangements at the last minute. If you’ll be traveling with a group, you’ll definitely want to book transportation as early as possible, before all the rides are booked up!

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