A Long, but Bearable Day at the Course

The clock strikes 5:15 AM on Monday morning and it's pitch black as we pull into the parking lot. First things first, I take my camera from the car to the golf cart and take the lens cap off so it can begin the process of acclimating to the humid air.

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As the sun begins to peek through just after 6 AM, I head out to the fourth hole to capture some footage of the course being prepped for the longest day in golf. My mind, however, is not completely awake as I drive down the dirt path to my chosen spot where several holes meet. I hop out of the cart, going through the motions, but as I turn towards the view, my breath falters slightly at the pure south Florida beauty that lies before me.

If you have never been on a golf course at sunrise, I highly recommend it.

As I gaze upon my surroundings, instantly I am filled with gratitude, which fades to longing as I realize that I'm not one of the people blessed with the opportunity to play the course that day.

Fast forward almost 15 hours later and it is 7:45pm and Willie Mack III just won in a playoff to make it to the 124th U.S. Open. Four others also qualified including Matt Kuchar, Daniel Berger, Dean Burmester, and Luke Clanton. So, can you guess where I am?

The Bear’s Club, Final Qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Open

The iconic Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida. The drive in is very understated, which is not atypical to the rest of the club. The stone gate sits hidden off the main road, nestled next to the entrance for Trump National Jupiter. The club house is striking, made of the same stone as the gated entrance, and with that same understated sort of magnificence.

But the course.

Founded by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, designed by Mr. Nicklaus, the Bear’s Club remains one of my favorite courses that I have ever been to. If I could describe the course in two words it would be difficult first and beautiful second.

I chatted with the assistant superintendent about the greens, and he explained that before the redesign in 2023, they only had 6 possible hole locations. So, one of the main focuses of the redesign was to create more “pinable” areas to the greens.

Bite your tongue if you took that as making the course easier! Sure, maybe they created a few “easier” hole locations, but trying to make a hole easy at the Bear’s Club is like trying to take an easy class at MIT.

Aside from the greens, some of the challenges of this course lie within over 100 bunkers that litter the 18 holes, numerous lakes, and small landing areas. The landscape is decorated richly with cypress trees, old oaks and pines, as well as vegetation and wetland areas. Many of the cart paths follow the natural scenery of the course as dirt paths instead of concrete.

With so many holes to choose from, it’s hard to overlook the 18th hole. It is a daunting par-5 that tempts the player to go for the green, but obviously not without a little bit of risk. The tee shot overlooks vegetation and wetland before the fairway starts. The approach shot faces a layup area lined with bunkers on the right and a pond on the left. Finally, the green is guarded almost completely by the pond with bunkers looming behind it.

The prestigious clubhouse overlooks the green as members can gather and watch the players make or break their round in one hole.

So, back to the Final Qualifier. It certainly lived up to its name as the longest day in golf. Matt Kuchar grabbed medalist honors after firing a 5-under-par, 67 in the second round to finish one stroke ahead of Daniel Berger. Berger fired an impressive 65 in the first round to hold the lead for a while.

I would be lying if I said I hung around Berger’s group in the morning purely to do my job. I delightfully headed his way after he made the turn at 5-under par. He went on to birdie the 10th hole and then an eagle on the 12th hole brought him to 8-under par. As I watched Berger tear this extremely difficult course seemingly to shreds, I was once again left in awe at the talent level on the PGA TOUR.

Yes, the Bear’s Club is his home course. And yes, the saying goes that if you actually want to stand a chance on the tour then you need to shoot at least 4-under-par on a regular basis on your home course.

But the Bear’s Club? It’s so challenging, and he was making it look easy.

Not to mention that Florida summer weather was in full swing as on again off again mini downpours made their way through for the first part of the morning. But that didn't stop these talented players from lighting it up.

There were several competitors near the cutline as only five would advance to the U.S. Open. The finish was exciting, including a long eagle putt chance on the 18th hole for Joaquin Niemann to make it into the playoff for the final spot. However, the Chilean narrowly missed, leaving three competitors to battle it out for the final spot.

Yet, as I mentioned earlier, it was Willie Mack III who rounded out the perfect finish to the marathon day with a win on the second playoff hole to advance to his first ever U.S. Open.

The Bear’s Club is a special place, and I hope to one day make it back as a player instead of a spectator, but spectating the U.S. Open Final Qualifier wasn’t a bad gig either. Aside from the spectacular course, the practice facilities are also first class.

If you ever have the opportunity of playing, or find yourself at the club spectating (like me), then be sure to ask to see the bag room by the range. Beyond the closed door are shelves of bags with range balls, and if you look a little closer you will see names embroidered on each bag. The names reflect the tour players that are members there and underneath each name is a list of majors won.

I guess all of these insanely talented players need a course equally as remarkable to sharpen their skills. And who better to design such a place than the legendary Jack Nicklaus himself.

All in all, it’s just another day at the Bear’s Club.

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Golf Course Details

• Par 72

• Champion Tees Course/Slope Rating: 76.2/151, Length: 7,212 yds.

• 1 Bear Tees Course/Slope Rating: 73.4/144, Length: 6,600 yds.

• 3 Bear Tees Course/Slope Rating (Women): 74.7/139, Length: 5,823 yds.

• Course Designer: Jack Nicklaus

• Opened in 1999, underwent a redesign in 2023

• Grass Type: Bermudagrass

• Course Type: Private