June 7, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - As the 2013 US Open at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. quickly approaches, its unique connection to Penn State becomes even more relevant.
Scott Nye, brother of men's golf head coach Greg Nye, is the host Head Golf Professional for this prominent sporting event. In addition, Penn State alumnus Matt Shaffer is the Director of Golf Course Operations at Merion. Shaffer has been heavily involved in the ongoing preparation of the course for the championship, which is to be held June 13-16. He has met every request of the USGA to update this course in order to best serve the world's best professional golfers, all while overseeing the turfgrass care of the facilities.
Scott Nye has been working hard as a spokesperson for Merion leading up to the event, including local presentations, daily interactions with members and guests, and media interviews nationwide. Nye has said the excitement in the surrounding Philadelphia areas is "off the charts" for the upcoming US Open.
While the 2013 US Open and Penn State ties are evident, there is yet another reason the event's location hits close to home for the Nittany Lion golf family. Assistant coach Mark Leon played at the Merion Golf Club in 2005 for the US Amateur. He performed incredibly well on this nationally-recognized course that will soon be the pinnacle of professional golf when it welcomes the Open.