By Mike Dudurich
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Tom Wallace (right), general manager of Oakmont Country Club, receives a plaque recognizing his efforts during the US Open from Dan Brennan, board of directors of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Club Managers Association at Edgewood Country Club, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. Andrew Russell/TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Tom Wallace didn't hit a single golf ball during the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. He didn't cut a blade of grass or smooth out the sand in any bunkers.

But Wallace, the general manager of the storied club, played an MVP role in the proceedings and was honored as such by his colleagues Tuesday morning at Edgewood Country Club.

The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America presented Wallace with a framed letter commending him for the job he and his staff did during a busy week. The organization also thanked him for allowing some of the chapter's members to help out at the nation's championship.

"Watching from the inside and looking out, all of the transition-type things were seamless," said Dan Brennan, president of the Pittsburgh chapter. "Eight to 10 managers from area clubs volunteered to do whatever Tom asked us to do and it was a great experience."

Wallace humbly credited a lot of things for the smooth week of golf.

"Everything came together really well," he said. "Parking and security, especially. If traffic works, everybody comes with a terrific attitude. We were as prepared as we possibly could be, but you also have to have some luck, especially in areas like traffic."

Especially on days such as Monday of Open week, the first day of practice rounds. Nearly 35,000 spectators showed up, surprising just about everyone.

"The crowds were bigger than they (the USGA) thought they'd be," Wallace said. "Western Pennsylvania showed just how important golf is to this area. Golf is huge, it's a monster in Western Pa. We got 5,000 volunteers for the tournament in the quickest time ever."

The successful completion of the mega-sized Open production didn't come without a big expenditure of time and effort from Wallace and his staff.

"I guess it was about a 10-day long period of working 20-hour days, starting at 4 a.m., getting home at midnight, getting a couple hours sleep and starting all over again," Wallace said. "I'm a guy who generally works seven days a week, and I would say it was at least a year that I worked 7 days a week, 15-16 hours a day."

"He's one of the best I've ever worked with," said Rob Zalzneck, director of championship relations for the USGA. "Tom was a pleasure to work with and he exemplified how Oakmont was truly a partner in this every step of the way."

Bob Ford, the golf professional at Oakmont since 1979, echoed those sentiments.

"Oakmont has always been a great golf course with acceptable food and service," Ford said. "He has elevated food and service to match the golf course. Tom and his staff did an outstanding job."

From the beginning of preparations, the goal at Oakmont was a simple one: make the U.S. Open the best ever contested and keep the club in the USGA's rotation of Open sites.

"Oakmont cemented its place as a championship venue," Wallace said.

There's not much time to rest on any laurels, however. A group of employees from Oakmont will visit the U.S. Women's Open this week at Pine Needles, N.C. to start getting ideas about how they'll start preparations for the 2010 U.S. Women's Open at Oakmont.

Mike Dudurich can be reached at mdudurich@tribweb.com or (724) 836-5095.

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