Valley native heads back to Oakmont to work U.S. Open
Sundstrom has been the head golf pro at Youngstown Country Club for 25 years. He started his professional career at Oakmont Country Club in 1987.
'I became an assistant golf professional there from 1987-1992. I was very fortunate,' said Sundstrom.
'I didn't know what I was going to do after college, and I thought I'd give the golf business a try. I thought even if I didn't like it or didn't want to get into it, Oakmont is not a bad place to hang out for a few years,' said Sundstrom.
The YCC golf pro lived on Oakmont's course while he was an assistant pro. He lived above the clubhouse and then in a cottage on the course.
'The course now — its almost like a links style course, you almost can't find a tree in the whole property except on the perimeter,' said Sundstrom. 'When I was there, it was a course similar to Youngstown Country Club, where it was lined with trees.'
Oakmont went through a redesign starting in the early 90's, which some of the membership found controversial. Thousands of trees were removed, and currently, there are barely any on the course.
'Just to see the course, see the members that are still there, that were there when I was there, is very meaningful and I'll enjoy getting back for the reunion,' said Sundstrom.
Sundstrom's reunion came on Tuesday's practice round, where he was the starter on the 10th hole. The golf pro announced the golfers to the public who were about to tee off.
He previously did the job back in 2016, when the U.S. Open was last at Oakmont.
Practice rounds continue at Oakmont on Wednesday, and tournament play starts on Thursday, June 10.
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