History of Merion Wicker Baskets
The US Open begins today on the historic Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania. We have a friend who is a member and I am familiar with their wicker basket logo from his shirts and caps. The wicker basket has been a trademark of Merion since 1916 and is easily identified with the Merion Golf Club.
I had often wondered why they used these red wicker baskets, and after some research found that the course designer, Hugh Wilson, had travelled to England and Scotland, and had seen them used on some of the "old country" courses. Flags didn't last long when battered by the heavy winds, so some courses used the sturdier baskets to top their pins.
Another story is that Hugh saw the shepherds in the fields with long staffs, topped by baskets that held their lunches... to keep them safe from animals.
Whatever the reason, the red wicker baskets on the front nine of the East course, and the orange wicker baskets on the back nine are a tradition at Merion. Up until around 1980, the wicker baskets were made on site by a member of the grounds crew staff. Since then, a woman, whose name and location in South Carolina are purposely kept anonymous, creates the current baskets. Anyone who wins a USGA event at Merion receives a wicker basket top. The golf course assistant superintendents collect the wickers every night, so they will not be stolen.
The wicker baskets are being used this week in the 2013 U.S. Open, and I hope to play there and see the wicker baskets up close one day! Enjoy watching the US Open!
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