Courtesy photo Fred Deichert (left) and John Zimmers are seen with the historic U.S. Open trophy.

A couple of Blair County natives have played influential roles in helping Inverness Club secure one of the few remaining slots as a host of the world’s premier golf championship, the U.S. Open.

Current Inverness Club president Fred Deichert, who graduated from Altoona High School in 1974, and Inverness director of grounds John Zimmers, a 1988 Tyrone Golden Eagle alum, were in attendance at the recent USGA Annual Awards ceremony in New York City where the announcement was made, selecting Inverness, which is in Toledo, Ohio, as host of the 2045 United States Open.

Though this particular event will be held several years from now, the amount of time involved is actually necessary due to the extensive planning required for an event of this magnitude.

In recent years, the USGA has made a concerted effort to limit the number of clubs chosen to host an open, ensuring the tournament is held on the most prestigious courses in the country, like Pinehurst, Oakmont and Pebble Beach. The fact that Inverness Club was able to crack open the door and enter into this ultra-exclusive club was no small feat.

“The entire club is excited and proud to be chosen as a U.S. Open site,” Deichert said. “It’s really a testament to the hard work and dedication of our members and staff.”

Founded in 1903, Inverness Club has a rich history, hosting four previous U.S. Opens (1920, ’31, ’57 and ’79), two PGA Championships, two U.S. Amateurs and the 2021 Solheim Cup. Despite this impressive pedigree, being chosen as a future U.S. Open site was still a longshot. It took considerable work over several years for the club to be in a position for consideration as a U.S. Open host.

“In 2017, the club began a major restoration project of our Donald Ross-designed course,” Deichert said. “Architect Andrew Green did a tremendous job in helping to re-route our course and get it into championship form.”

While Green was the architect, Zimmers was in charge of the grounds crew who made sure all the work was done properly. Zimmers came to Inverness in 2017 after 18 years as the golf course superintendent at renowned Oakmont Country Club, where he received rave reviews for his work during the 2003 U.S. Amateur, 2007 U.S. Open, 2010 U.S. Women’s Open and 2016 U.S. Open. Additionally, Zimmers was named Golf Course Superintendent of the Year in 2007 and received the Excellence In Mentorship award for superintendents just late last year.

“From my first day here at Inverness the goal has always been to make this club as ‘great as it can be’,” Zimmers said. “Whether it’s been re-routing, removing trees, irrigation work or the construction of on-site lodging, our entire staff has done whatever it takes to get the job done to the highest standard possible.”

Just a few weeks ago Deichert and Zimmers were part of Inverness’ six-person championship committee that traveled to the ceremony where the announcement was made. In addition to the 2045 U.S. Open, Inverness will also host the 2027 U.S. Women’s Open, 2029 U.S. Amateur, 2033 U.S. Girls’ Junior and 2036 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

“It’s a proud moment for our membership. A lot of fortunate things have to happen in order to be considered for a U.S. Open,” club president Deichert said. “The people here at Inverness really remind of the kind of people I grew up with in central Pennsylvania. Approachable, hard-working and unassuming.”

Though Deichert was appreciative of all the work done by members and staff in order to be named a future U.S. Open site, he was emphatic on what he thought made the biggest impact.

“Without a doubt, bringing John Zimmers here in 2017 really pushed us over the top,” Deichert said. “John has done a tremendous job and we’re fortunate to have him here. He has brought the condition of our course to the highest level possible.”