View of hole 12 from the air

Oakmont Country Club - 3rd Hole

Northern Bay #12 - Par 4

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History

This hole dates back more than a century to 1903, when Henry C. Fownes, noted golf course architect of that day, designed what has become a National Historic Landmark. Oakmont Country Club has played host to many golf championships, including the National Amateur, The PGA Championship, and seven U.S. Opens.

Oakmont gained additional notoriety for its "Furrowed" bunkers during the 1973 U.S. Open. Johnny Miller established the U.S. Open eighteen-hole scoring record with a 63 in the final round in 1973, regarded by some as the most incredible round of golf ever played.

View from the end of the hole

Church Pews

The third hole here is probably one of the most easily recognizable holes in all golf because of the massive bunker guarding the left side of the fairway. Today, this bunker is known as the "Church Pews" bunker, for the rows of grassy mounds in the center, causing many a wayward golfer to pray for help.

Keep your tee shot to the right side of the fairway here. You don't want to mess with any of the "Pews" on the left side. An uphill approach to a blind green and unknown pin placement will test even the most seasoned golfer. Leave your second short, and you might find it nearly back at your feet. Hit it long, and the dense rough, and steep embankment behind the green make a recovery shot almost impossible. Hit it right of the green, and either deep bunkers can swallow it up. Your best shot here is the center of the green.

The sandpit with green areas within

More Replica Holes

Augusta National - 16th Hole

Hole with a lake and rough to a severely sloping green

Oakland Hills - 5th Hole

Aerial shot of the green on hole 4 at Northern Bay

Firestone Country Club - 16th Hole

Wide-shot of the green at hole 5

TPC at Sawgrass - 17th Hole

Aerial shot of the green at a hole during evening while the sun sets

Augusta National - 13th Hole

End of the hole with a creek on one side and several sandpits on the other

Bay Hill - 18th Hole

Hole 18 with the resort next to it

Plan Your Golf Experience

Try your hand at some of the most thrilling holes in golf history—start planning your next golf trip to The Golf Course at Northern Bay. Questions? Contact our team.

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Evening view of the island hole surrounded by water with the sunset reflecting in the water

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Aerial shot of the green at hole 11

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Aerial shot of the golf course