23rd U.S. Senior Open

Caves Valley Golf Club, Baltimore, Md., June 27-30  

www.ussenioropen.com

Course stats: 7,005 yards  Par: 36-35–71 

Opened: 1991

Designer: Tom Fazio

Other courses: Butler National Golf Club, Oak Brook, Ill.; Sand Ridge Golf Club, Chardon, Ohio; Victoria National Golf Club, Newburgh, Ind.; Wade Hampton Golf Club, Cashiers, N.C.

Designer notes: Fazio has made changes to the course periodically since 1997, primarily to make it an easier course to walk. The 18th tee originally sat 50-60 feet higher than the 17th green; now the two are virtually at the same level.

Why it’s right: The beauty of the course, which is virtually unknown nationally, has the opportunity to make a grand entrance into the spotlight of major championship golf. “We’re only 12 years old,” says head pro Dennis Satyshur, “but it doesn’t look like a new course. Most people would tell you it looks like the course has been here forever.”

Notable championships: The 1995 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, won by Jerry Courville Jr. Since 1991 the club also has been the host of the Chesapeake Cup, a better-ball amateur invitational.

On the hole: Canadian Warren Sye squandered the last of a 3-up lead in the ’95 Mid-Amateur final by three-putting the green at the 14th from 41⁄2 feet.

Yes sir, Mr. President: George Herbert Walker Bush, an avowed golfer, spent a bit of time in the Baltimore-Washington area during his term as President of the United States. He will return to the area for the championship, where he will serve as its honorary chairman.

Memorable moment: The championship match at the ’95 Mid-Amateur came down to the final green, where both players had birdie putts that could have captured the title. And while both missed, Courville was able to make his par putt while Sye was burdened with his fourth bogey over the last six holes.

Bet you didn’t know: Before the club was constructed, the 900-plus-acre site had about a mile of Baltimore Gas & Electric power lines running through it. The club had that portion of the lines buried — at a cost of more than $1,000 a yard.

Quote-unquote: “If I could write a program for what I’d like to do as a course designer and a golf fanatic, this is it.” — Tom Fazio