Henry C. Fownes
Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame
Class of 2018
Inducted Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at The Club at Nevillewood
Henry C. Fownes had dreams of creating a challenging golf course that overlooked the Allegheny River northeast of Pittsburgh and could withstand the technological advances of the game of golf. In late 1903, he began work turning a plot of farmland into his vision, Oakmont Country Club. On October 1, 1904, Fownes’ famous design officially opened. The original par 80 layout, that included eight par-5’s, and one 560-yard par-6, was his only golf course design. Fownes became the first president of the club in 1903 through 1935. In 1987, Oakmont Country Club was designated a National Historic Landmark. As a player, Fownes played in four U.S Amateur Championships and won the WPGA Father & Son Championship four times with his son W.C Fownes, also a member of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and 37,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund.