Fleming at TPC Harding Park

TPC Harding Park, a municipal jewel nestled against the cypress-lined shores of Lake Merced, bears the distinct mark of a bygone San Francisco, when public golf could rival any private club. Opening during the height of the Golden Age of architecture, the course's gently rolling parkland terrain and strategic bunkering offer a demanding, yet accessible, test.

Willie Watson, with assistance from Sam Whiting, originally crafted Harding Park’s layout, and while it has seen tweaks over the years, most notably a lengthening by architect Cal Olson for the 2005 WGC-American Express Championship, the bones of the original design remain. Its wide fairways, often playing firmer than one might expect in the cool San Francisco climate, invite aggressive tee shots, but the well-guarded greens require a deft touch.

Harding Park holds a prominent place in championship golf history. The course hosted the 2005 WGC-American Express Championship, the 2009 Presidents Cup, and notably the 2020 PGA Championship (the first major championship held in San Francisco), won by Collin Morikawa.

While Harding Park doesn’t carry the exclusive mystique of some of its Bay Area neighbors, its role as a democratizing force in golf, offering a championship-caliber experience to all, has earned it a unique and respected place in the national landscape. Ask any local about Harding, and they'll likely regale you with tales of weekend rounds, the ever-present fog, and the satisfaction of conquering its challenging layout.