Sinek Hills is part of the US Open.
This legendary golf course hosted the second U.S. Open in American history in 1896 and has been a U.S. Open staple ever since. It’s still brutally challenging and represents everything a tournament should be.
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One of the men who helped build the golf course, John Matthew Shippen Jr., is thought to be the first American-born professional golfer. He was the son of former slaves and served as a minister on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation at the age of nine.
But when he tried to play the 1896 U.S. Open at the age of 16 on the golf course where he had just grown up, he threatened the entire tournament.
1913 – Golfer John Shippen becomes active.
Why John Matthew Shippen nearly sparked a boycott of the US Open
Before the 1986 U.S. Open began at Shinnecock Hills, some club members were so impressed by Shippen’s golfing skills that they paid to attend the tournament, along with his close friend Oscar Bunn, a Shinnecock native.
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This turned out to be a controversial move. Shippen played the U.S. Open at Shinnecock’s home course, but received a heated reaction from some in the field.
Several professional players from England and Scotland threatened to go on strike to protest the inclusion of non-white players. Despite the possibility of a large-scale boycott, USGA President Theodore Havemeyer stood firm. He said the tournament would go ahead even if Shippen and his friend Vann were the only players on the course.
The tournament took place, and young Shippen proved he was more than worthy of being on the field. They advanced to the final round in a tie for first place in the tournament.
Unfortunately, a disastrous 11 on the 13th hole ended his chances, but he still finished T6 and earned $10 for his performance.
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Shippen played in five more U.S. Opens, his best finish being a tie for fifth in 1902. He was essentially America’s first homegrown golf professional, but was banned from the PGA for life, even though the USGA fought in his corner.
