LA North's Third And Fourth Holes

A closer look at the uphill par-4 and first one-shotter on the 2023 U.S. Open venue.

With just 110 days until June’s U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, I must interrupt your Honda and LIV viewing with The Quad’s North Course deep dive.

As noted, the North was re-imagined in 1927-28 by George Thomas and Billy Bell after the two had created nearby Bel-Air and Riviera Country Clubs. They sought to give the North an architectural permanence not attained in its 1921 creation by Herbert Fowler, where the rudimentary construction was supervised by new-LACC member Thomas. Much had changed in the ensuing six years and the new North reflected Thomas’s change in style, improved construction techniques, Bell’s influence and their desire to create a more natural looking and playing course. There were also financial considerations: a small area of club land would be subdivided to pay for the 1927-28 North project.