USGA Museum facts for kids
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USGA Museum in 2019
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| Established | 1936 |
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| Location | Liberty Corner, New Jersey |
| Type | Sports museum |
The United States Golf Association Museum and Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History is a special place. It holds a huge collection of golf items and memories. You can find it right next to the United States Golf Association (USGA) main office. This is in Liberty Corner, Bernards Township, Somerset County, New Jersey.
Contents
How the Museum Started
The idea for the USGA Museum began in 1935. A man named George Blossom, who was part of the USGA, suggested collecting golf history. One year later, in 1936, a special committee was formed. Their job was to gather important golf items and books.
The museum got its first big gift in 1938. It was Bobby Jones's famous putter, called Calamity Jane II. For many years, the museum didn't have its own building. The golf items were shown in the USGA offices in New York City.
In 1951, the USGA bought a building in New York City. This was the first time the museum had its own space. It officially opened there. Since 1972, the museum has been in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. It has public areas, offices, and storage for its collections. The building itself is old and was designed in 1919. A famous architect named John Russell Pope designed it. He also designed the National Archives Building and the Jefferson Memorial.
In 2005, the museum closed for a big update. It reopened on June 3, 2008. It now includes the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History. This new part added a lot of space. It has over 5,000 square feet of new exhibit areas. It also has a research center and modern storage rooms.
In 2012, some valuable items were taken from the museum's collection during a break-in. These included the U.S. Amateur Trophy and a copy of Ben Hogan's 1953 Hickok Belt.
What You Can See: Museum Exhibits
The USGA Museum shows the biggest and most important collection of golf items in the country. The exhibits are interactive, meaning you can often touch or use them. They tell the story of how golf grew in the United States. You can learn about the most important moments in golf history. The museum especially focuses on USGA champions and their big wins.
The Hall of Champions
This special round room is very bright. It holds all 13 of the USGA's national championship trophies. The names of every USGA champion are written on bronze panels around the room. You can see names like Bobby Jones and Tiger Woods, who both won eight times.
Permanent Galleries
The Permanent Galleries at the USGA Museum tell the story of golf in America. They cover everything from the late 1800s until today. Each gallery focuses on a different time period. They highlight famous champions and big events in golf history. These stories help you understand how golf grew and became important in the U.S. There are also special rooms just for Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Arnold Palmer.
The Pynes Putting Course
Outside the museum, there's a fun place called The Pynes Putting Course. It's a 16,000-square-foot area with nine holes. You can try your putting skills there!
See also
- Golf in the United States
- History of golf
- Jack Nicklaus Museum
- R&A World Golf Museum
