The US Open is run by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Formed at a meeting in New York City, on December 22nd 1894, the USGA governs the amateur side of the game in the United States. It is America's equivalent to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R & A) of St Andrews in Scotland, which is the ruling body for Great Britain and Ireland. In consultation with the R & A the USGA write and interpret the rules of golf, as well as administer America's national handicapping system.

When the USGA was formed there were only five member clubs - Newport CC, Rhode Island, New York; Shinnecock Hills GC, Long Island, New York; The Country Club, Brookline, Massachusetts; St Andrews, New York and Chicago GC. Nowadays there are over five and a half thousand affiliated member clubs.

Other important tournaments conducted by the USGA include the US AmateurChampionship, US Women's Open and the Walker Cup (joint venture with the R & A). Today the USGA has its offices at Far Hills, New Jersey.

Most of these facts about the US Open Golf Championships have been obtained from my copy of :

The Guinness Book of Golf - Facts and Feats

by Andrew Swales who is the golf statistician for Sky Sports

Anyone requiring a hard copy of results in the four majors, illustrated profiles of the all-time greats, then this is the book for you. Ideal for searching for elusive facts or simply for dipping into.