Memo to Los Angeles CC: The public is coming

The first reaction to news that Los Angeles Country Club has agreed to host the Walker Cup in 2017: Do the members realize that the public will be allowed to traipse over their hallowed grounds?

It isn't an original thought. When the club hosted the U.S. Junior Amateur there in 1954, members reportedly were aghast that people actually showed up, particularly for the final, featuring two Los Angeles boys, Al Geiberger and Bud Bradley. It was said to have resulted in the club scotching plans to host the Amateur there. The USGA hasn't been back since.

Los Angeles Country Club is among the more notoriously private clubs in America, one that over the years steadfastly declined USGA overtures at bringing the U.S. Open to its North Course. But the word in recent years was that the club's younger members were more open to the idea of hosting major events there.

Hopefully the Walker Cup is an indication that the club will more readily open its doors to the outside world. It has a gem, the North Course, that deserves greater exposure.

-- John Strege