12-year-old Jake’s Dream Comes True at Merion

In 2015, I started seventh grade at a new school, which gave us iPads to use for our schoolwork. I remember sitting in study hall not long after the school year began and downloaded WGT Golf, an app that allowed you to play video game-style versions of some of the most historic golf courses in the world. I quickly fell in love with one: Merion.

Merion Golf Club sits in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Merion, founded in 1896, is one of the most historic clubs in the country, known for its wicker baskets, which replace traditional golf flags. It has also hosted the most USGA events of any club.

I, unfortunately, got into golf two years after the 2013 U.S. Open, held at the club, so after playing too many virtual rounds, I ended up going down a YouTube rabbit hole watching footage from the tournament — and, as you might expect, my love for the club deepened.

Fast forward to 2026: I booked a trip to the club for the 126th U.S. Amateur. When I stepped on the property today, I instantly became that 12-year-old sitting in Mrs. Yamamoto’s Block C study hall again. When I first laid eyes on those famed wicker baskets, I got that special feeling.

After dropping way too much money in the pro shop, I decided to walk the course. I wanted that “screensaver photo” (I got it), but I also wanted to see where some of the game’s greatest had walked. I walked up 14 and 15, then down 16, through the quarry on 17, where I watched the hole location being cut for the day. All the matches were blowouts, so it wasn’t even used. I turned back and headed up 18, stopped at the Hogan plaque, then wandered backwards, past 13, then down 12 and 11 — the hole where Bobby Jones finished his Grand Slam.

There were four matches on the course today; in total, I saw six shots. Some might think it was a waste to go to a day of a tournament and only watch six swings, but it was absolutely not. I’ll be back tomorrow and Sunday to watch real golf.

Today was about fulfilling one of 12-year-old Jake’s dreams!