Golf's Biggest Amateur Championship Coming To The Main Line: Road Closures, SEPTA Impacts

ARDMORE, PA — The 126th U.S. Amateur Golf Championship takes place next week, bringing 312 of the best men's amateur golfers to Merion Golf Club in Ardmore.

The nation's premier amateur golf tournament runs daily from Monday, Aug. 10, through Sunday, Aug. 16.

The U.S. Amateur isn't as big a spectacle as golf's major professional competitions, such as the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. But the Amateur still draws decent crowds, so residents and commuters should be aware of road closures and transportation impacts.

Here's what to know.

Schedule Of Events

On Monday and Tuesday, competition will take place at both Merion Golf Club and Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne.

The rest of the U.S. Amateur is at Merion, which is located at 450 Ardmore Ave.

Here's the schedule:

• Monday, Aug. 10: stroke play qualifying (Merion Golf Club and Philadelphia Country Club)
• Tuesday, Aug. 11: stroke play qualifying (Merion Golf Club and Philadelphia Country Club)
• Wednesday, Aug. 12: match play begins, round of 64
• Thursday, Aug. 13: round of 32 and round of 16
• Friday, Aug. 14: quarterfinals
• Saturday, Aug. 15: semifinals
• Sunday, Aug. 16: 36-hole championship match

Road Closures

Road closures around the course began Friday and will continue from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day through Aug. 16.

Here are the road closures:

• Ardmore Avenue from Haverford Road to Darby Road
• Golf House Road from Ardmore Avenue to College Avenue
• Golfview Road from Ardmore Avenue to Sunnybrook Lane
• Ardmore Avenue/Ellis Road from Darby Road to Lawrence Road (Aug. 7-12)

Roadways could reopen before 9 p.m. on days when police and course officials decide it's safe to do so.

Emergency vehicles and public services, such as trash and recycling pickup, will be allowed through, according to Haverford Township officials.

Public Transit

Next week, SEPTA will add trips on the M Line (Norristown High Speed Line) for the U.S. Amateur.

Here are the scheduling changes:

• Weekdays (Aug. 10-14): Extra trains will operate from 7-8 p.m. Another trip on top of that will be added during that timeframe on Thursday and Friday.
• Weekend (Aug. 15 and 16): With additional trips added, the M will run every 20 minutes.

Many spectators will take the M to Ardmore Ave Station, which is right by Merion Golf Club.

The station's parking lot will remain open for SEPTA passengers. But road closures will change drivers' routes to the lot. Here's more info from SEPTA.

Tickets

Tickets are on sale for the U.S. Amateur. Tickets aren't required to attend qualifying rounds at Philadelphia Country Club.

For more info, visit the USGA and Merion Golf Club websites.