Bernhard Langer was the European Ryder Cup captain when they routed the U.S., 18 1/2-9 1/2, at Oakland Hills in Michigan. Padraig Harrington played on that team, and later won the PGA Championship there in 2008.
So Thursday’s news of the fire that destroyed the iconic clubhouse, and some of the memorabilia inside it, hit hard.
“The main thing … nobody was hurt,” Harrington said. “Clearly, they can rebuild the clubhouse.”
“It was sad to see,” Langer said Friday. “I mean, it’s always sad to see when something burns down because it just seems such a waste and a disaster and so tragic. At least they didn’t lose any lives, but I believe a lot of memorabilia in the clubhouse. I know they had some of my stuff and you can’t replace some of that.
“So that will be gone, and so much history.”
Several departments responded after the fire broke out in the clubhouse attic. The clubhouse, which was completed in 1922, was adorned with irreplaceable golf tournament memorabilia and art going back a century.
Eventually, the roof collapsed, and one fire official called it “almost a total loss” several hours after the blaze began.
Oakland Hills Country Club was founded in 1916 by Joseph Mack and Norval Hawkins, two Ford executives, at a meeting of 47 friends and associates at the Detroit Athletic Club.
Oakland Hills has hosted six U.S. Opens. Only two other courses have hosted more. It was recently was awarded the U.S. Women’s Open in 2031 and 2042.
Firefighters apparently were able to save some of the memorabilia after being directed where it was by club officials.
“And even if it’s memorabilia, it can be replaced — it can’t be, but it can be — but the only thing that matters is that nobody was hurt,” Harrington said. “It’s shocking and it’s terrible, but it’s not tragic. At the end of the day, tragic is somebody lost their life, so we can move on.
“They’ll rebuild bigger and better.”
And Harrington is happy to give more to the club when that happens.
“I’m sure there’s many people like myself who have great memories there who would be delighted to donate stuff again,” Harrington said.