Golf World Monday - April 30, 2012

10usga film to revisit 1962 open

call it an initiative to take golf house far outside of far hills, n.J. Golf World has learned the usga is producing its first film for network television, and it’s swinging for the fences: a one-hour documentary on the 1962 u.s. open when Jack nicklaus defeated arnold palmer in a playoff at oakmont cc. produced in collaboration with emmy winner ross greenburg, the one-hour special, “1962 u.s. open: Jack’s first major,” will premiere in the u.s. at 2 p.m. edt sunday, June 17, on nbc prior to the final round of the u.s. open at olympic club. “we have great stories to tell, and while it’s nice to build a world-class exhibit, we always knew there’d be a time to use our resources in more impactful ways to expand the reach of the usga and the museum,” said robert williams, the usga’s museum director. “ obviously, when we looked at specific stories, we felt like nothing comes close to that historic u.s. open.” the film, which debuts internationally June 10 on sky sports, is part of a long-term strategic plan to “virtualize” the museum at golf house, which underwent a three-year renovation completed in 2008. we won’t play spoiler, but one of the most intriguing elements of the film is a walk-through with nicklaus and palmer at oakmont replete with the hole locations from their sunday playoff won by nicklaus, 71-74. Click here to view a trailer of the film. —Dave Shedloski (@DaveShedloski)