It’s useless to predict what the world will be like in 2020. The way technology is going, your iPad might be able to cook dinner by then. Maybe Siri will be advanced enough to stay home and take care of the kids. Words with Friends could be a reality show.
Though the future might be filled with uncertainty, there is one thing sure to happen in 2020: History will be made at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck.
That’s why the USGA and club officials were all smiles yesterday, standing in the clubhouse of the storied golf club announcing the U.S. Open will return in seven years.
“I’m hoping I’m here,” said club president John Schneider, speaking for the rest of us.
A thin blanket of snow covered Winged Foot, offering a serene landscape that belied the treacherous monster the A.W. Tillinghast design becomes for a major championship. It was formidable when the first U.S. Open was held there in 1929. It will be formidable again when the field assembles for 2020.
Tiger Woods will be 44. Phil Mickelson will turn 50. Rory McIroy will be 31. It’s a good bet some 17-year-old currently playing on his high school team will be the favorite to win the tournament seven years from now. Then again, Woods might be trying to catch Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors or McIlroy may be trying to tie Woods’ current total of 14.
Who knows what the story lines will be? What we do know is becoming the national champion on the West Course at Winged Foot will be another test of skill, patience and nerves.
“Knowing the Tillinghast venue because of the greens and the strategic play that’s required to win this Open, hopefully we’ll be able to get the best golfer in 2020 and add to that legacy,” Schneider said.
The USGA wanted to bring the 2015 U.S. Open to Winged Foot, but the membership voted it down. As memorable as the 2006 U.S. Open was, it took a toll on the course and was an inconvenience to the membership, which essentially gives up a golf season to host the event.
The members agreed to host in 2020 after getting assurances the USGA will keep nine holes on the East Course available for play and minimize damage to the West Course. “It’s a partnership,” Schneider said. “It’s a respect for one another.”
The corporate tents and golf shops are sure to have the latest gizmos. But the challenge on the golf course will be the same as it was in 1929, when Bobby Jones won the first U.S. Open at Winged Foot.
The 2020 U.S. Open will be the sixth played on the course. The previous five have been memorable.
Bobby Jones made an 18-foot putt on the last hole of regulation to force a playoff he would win in ’29. Billy Casper had one-putts on nine straight holes to capture his victory in ’59. Hale Irwin survived the Massacre at Winged Foot with a 7-over-par in ’74, while Fuzzy Zoeller and Greg Norman waved white towels of surrender at each other in ’84 before Zoeller won a playoff. And then there was Mickelson’s meltdown on the 72nd hole in 2006.
Mickelson needed a par to win his third straight major, but his tee shot sailed into the trees and he ended with a double-bogey that allowed Geoff Ogilvy to prevail.
The ball might fly farther in the future, the equipment might be more powerful. But making par to win the 2020 U.S. Open figures to be just as gut-wrenching as it was for Mickelson in 2006.
“The course has survived as the game has evolved,” Schneider said. “It’s pretty amazing the course still stands up.”
That’s something you can always count on.
george.willis@nypost.com