With play complete and Justin Rose the new United States Open champion, here’s a look at 10 things we’ve learned from the U.S. Open at Merion.

1. Merion rocks: It’s old. It’s too short. The pros will eat this place alive. That’s what those not playing the course said before the U.S. Open started. The winning score was 1-over par. Rory McIlroy said the players never said low scores would win or the course was too short, that came from the media. “You guys must be really good golfers,” he said to the media. He finished 13-over par.

2. Length is overrated: Merion measured less than 7,000 yards. Sunday, it measured less than 6,900 yards. After the final round, no one said it was too short. The long holes were long and the short holes were short, but that didn’t mean any of them were easy. If there’s any question about whether Merion should host another U.S. Open, it’s been answered. Bring it back in 2020. That’s the USGA’s next open date.

3. Short holes are cool: Merion offered the drivable, par-4 10th and the 115-yard par-3 13th. Both delivered drama, but not necessarily in a good way. Phil Mickelson eagled the 10th on Sunday, but also bogeyed the 13th Friday and Sunday.

4. Day dawning: Jason Day plays solid golf in the majors. He’s posted top 5s in the Masters and U.S. Open this year. He’s 25 and there are majors on his horizon. If you’re a betting man, he’s a decent pick in the British Open at Muirfield.

5. Major problem: Steve Stricker will never win a major. He’s a fantastic person and a great golfer, but weird things happen to him at majors. In the final round Sunday, one shot off the lead and standing on the second tee, he hit his tee shot on the par-5 out of bounds, then hit a shank out of bounds on his fourth shot. By the time he walked off the green on the second hole with an 8, his chances to win were done.

6. Phil’s spills: Phil Mickelson won’t win the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Every time there’s a compelling storyline involving Mickelson and the U.S. Open, it never works out. In 1999, he was about to become a father for the first time. Payne Stewart rolled in a decent length par putt to beat him by one shot at Pinehurst. The full-circle storyline won’t work next year. Both times at Bethpage Black on Long Island, he finished second to Tiger Woods in 2002, and second to Lucas Glover in 2009 when it was his last tournament before his wife underwent breast cancer surgery. This year, he left Merion, flew home to the San Diego area to attend his daughter’s eighth-grade graduation and arrived back at Merion hours before his Thursday tee time. He led after the first round. Sunday was his birthday Sunday, Father’s Day, and he started the final round with a one-shot lead and a chance to finally win the tournament he most wants to win. Didn’t happen.

7. Anchor this: Only one person – Ernie Els – in the top 10 at Merion used a long putter. You know the USGA had to be happy about this. He finished tied for fourth at 5-over. Anchored putters will be banned by the USGA and R&A in 2016.

8. Prophetic: When the Walker Cup was held at Merion in 2009, the club hosted a media day. There was much talk about the Walker Cup, but also of the impending U.S. Open (the club was awarded the Open in 2006). The name of the Merion official escapes me, but I remember someone asking him what he thought the winning score would be in 2013. He said matter-of-factly, “If the USGA wants the winning score to be 7-over, we can do that.” He wasn’t kidding.

9. Taking the fifth: The 5th hole at Merion is borderline unfair. The fairway and the green both slope tremendously from right to left. Hitting the fairway was hard, the green harder. How you know it’s borderline unfair: By all accounts, the fifth green was slower than the other greens in an effort to keep balls from possibly rolling into a creek that ran up the left side of the hole.

10. Logistical nightmare (not): The USGA pulled off the U.S. Open at Merion without many problems. Tucking such a major event into a cramped area wasn’t easy, but with a lot of cooperation, it came off nicely. Mike Davis of the USGA said after Sunday’s round that his organization would love to come back, if invited. Merion has hosted more USGA events than any other course in the country - 19. Certainly, they’d be open to another Open.

Part of Tuesday's story in the Courier-Post will explain why players are starting off No. 11 at Merion instead of No. 10.

2013 U.S. Open Championship, June 13-16

The 113th U.S. Open Championshipwww.usopen.com

Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced groupings and starting times for the first two rounds of the 2013 U.S. Open Championship on Thursday (June 13) and Friday (June 14) at the par 36-34--70, 6,996-yard Merion Golf Club (East Course) in Ardmore, Pa. The U.S. Open is a 72-hole, stroke-play competition. A field of 156 players will play 18 holes of stroke play on June 13 and 14, after which the field will be cut to the low 60 scores and ties. Those players making the cut will play 18 holes on June 15 and 16. If there is a tie upon the completion of 72 holes, an 18-hole playoff will be conducted on Monday, June 17.

All Times EDT

Thursday (June 13), hole #1 and Friday (June 14), hole #11

6:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Cliff Kresge, Heathrow, Fla.; Roger Tambellini, Scottsdale, Ariz.; TBD

6:56 a.m. – 12:56 p.m. – TBD; Yui Ueda, Japan; John Parry, England

7:07 a.m. – 1:07 p.m. – Nick Watney, Henderson, Nev.; Peter Hanson, Sweden; Hunter Mahan, Dallas, Texas

7:18 a.m. – 1:18 p.m. – Lucas Glover, Sea Island, Ga.; Paul Casey, England; Bill Haas, Greenville, S.C.

7:29 a.m. – 1:29 p.m. – Aaron Baddeley, Australia; Rory Sabbatini, South Africa; David Lingmerth, Sweden

7:40 a.m. – 1:40 p.m.– George Coetzee, South Africa; Martin Laird, Scotland; Marcel Siem, Germany

7:51 a.m. – 1:51 p.m .– Jerry Kelly, Madison, Wis.; Charley Hoffman, San Diego, Calif.; John Huh, Lewisville, Texas

8:02 a.m. – 2:02 p.m. – Henrik Stenson, Sweden; Ryan Moore, Las Vegas, Nev.; Robert Garrigus, Phoenix, Ariz.

8:13 a.m. – 2:13 p.m. – TBD; Simon Khan, England; Ted Potter Jr., Silver Springs, Fla.

8:24 a.m. – 2:24 p.m. – Shawn Stefani, Baytown, Texas; a-Michael Kim, Del Mar, Calif.; Nicholas Thompson, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

8:35 a.m. – 2:35 p.m. – Chris Doak, Scotland; Andrew Svoboda, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Douglas LaBelle II, Mount Pleasant, Mich.

8:46 a.m. – 2:46 p.m. – Kevin Sutherland, Sacramento, Calif.; Matt Weibring, Dallas, Texas; Randall Hutchison, Traverse City, Mich.

8:57 a.m. – 2:57 p.m. – a-Cory McElyea, Santa Cruz, Calif.; Ryan Nelson, Charleston, S.C.; John Hahn, Hudson, Ohio

Thursday (June 13), hole #11 and Friday (June 14), hole #1

7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Bubba Watson, Bagdad, Fla.; Dustin Johnson, Jupiter, Fla.; Nicolas Colsaerts, Belgium

7:11 a.m. – 12:41 p.m. – Phil Mickelson, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; Steve Stricker, Madison, Wis.; Keegan Bradley, Woodstock, Vt.

7:22 a.m. – 12:52 p.m. – Matt Kuchar, St. Simons Island, Ga.; Justin Rose, England; Brandt Snedeker, Nashville, Tenn.

7:33 a.m. – 1:03 p.m. – Louis Oosthuizen, South Africa; Charl Schwartzel, South Africa; Tim Clark, Scottsdale, Ariz.

7:44 a.m. – 1:14 p.m. – Sergio Garcia, Spain; Stewart Cink, Duluth, Ga.; Padraig Harrington, Republic of Ireland

7:55 a.m. – 1:25 p.m. – Ian Poulter, England; Jason Dufner, Auburn, Ala.; Boo Weekley, Jay, Fla.

8:06 a.m. – 1:36 p.m. – Rickie Fowler, Jupiter, Fla.; Matteo Manassero, Italy; Jason Day, Australia

8:17 a.m. – 1:47 p.m. – Y.E. Yang, Republic of Korea; Fredrik Jacobson, Sweden; Hiroyuki Fujita, Japan

8:28 a.m. – 1:58 p.m. – Scott Stallings, Knoxville, Tenn.; John Peterson, Baton Rouge, La.; Robert Karlsson, Sweden

8:39 a.m. – 2:09 p.m. – Jay Don Blake, St. George, Utah; Brandt Jobe, Argyle, Texas; Michael Campbell, New Zealand

8:50 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. – David Hearn, Canada; TBD; Jaco Van Zyl, South Africa

9:01 a.m. – 2:31 p.m. – a-Kevin Phelan, Republic of Ireland; Wil Collins, Rapid City, S.D.; TBD

9:12 a.m. – 2:42 p.m .– a-Cheng-Tsung Pan, Chinese Taipei; Mackenzie Hughes, Canada; Geoffrey Sisk, Marshfield, Mass.

Thursday (June 13), hole #1 and Friday (June 14), hole #11

12:30 p.m. – 7 a.m. – David Toms, Shreveport, La.; Darren Clarke, Northern Ireland; Jose Maria Olazabal, Spain

12:41 p.m. – 7:11 a.m. – Geoff Ogilvy, Australia; Angel Cabrera, Argentina; Paul Lawrie, Scotland

12:52 p.m. – 7:22 a.m. – Luke Donald, England; Lee Westwood, England; Martin Kaymer, Germany

1:03 p.m. – 7:33 a.m. – Jim Furyk, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland; Zach Johnson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1:14 p.m. – 7:44 a.m. – Tiger Woods, Hobe Sound, Fla.; Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland; Adam Scott, Australia

1:25 p.m. – 7:55 a.m. – Thongchai Jaidee, Thailand; Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Spain; Thorbjorn Olesen, Denmark

1:36 p.m. – 8:06 a.m. – Webb Simpson, Charlotte, N.C.; a-Steven Fox, Hendersonville, Tenn.; Ernie Els, South Africa

1:47 p.m. – 8:17 a.m. – TBD; Joe Ogilvie, Austin, Texas; Luke Guthrie, Quincy, Ill.

1:58 p.m. – 8:28 a.m. – Josh Teater, Lexington, Ky.; Yoshinobu Tsukada, Japan; Eddie Pepperell, England

2:09 p.m. – 8:39 a.m. – Edward Loar, Dallas, Texas; Morten Orum Madsen, Denmark; Jung-Gon Hwang, Republic of Korea

2:20 p.m. – 8:50 a.m. – a-Max Homa, Valencia, Calif.; Russell Knox, Scotland; Matt Bettencourt, Spartanburg, S.C.

2:31 p.m. – 9:01 a.m. – Adam Hadwin, Canada; John Nieporte, Boca Raton, Fla.; Jim Herman, Palm City, Fla.

2:42 p.m. – 9:12 a.m. – Brandon Brown, Shelbyville, Ky.; a-Grayson Murray, Raleigh, N.C.; Jesse Smith, Barrington, N.H.

Thursday (June 13), hole #11 and Friday (June 14), hole #1

12:45 p.m. – 6:45 a.m. – Justin Hicks, Wyandotte, Mich.; David Howell, England; Brian Stuard, Jackson, Mich.

12:56 p.m. – 6:56 a.m. – Brendan Steele, Irvine, Calif.; Estanislao Goya, Argentina; Peter Hedblom, England

1:07 p.m. – 7:07 a.m. – Marc Leishman, Australia; John Senden, Australia; Marcus Fraser, Australia

1:18 p.m. – 7:18 a.m. – Scott Langley, Manchester, Mo.; a-Chris Williams, Moscow, Idaho; Morgan Hoffmann, Jupiter, Fla.

1:29 p.m. – 7:29 a.m. – Michael Thompson, Birmingham, Ala.; a-Michael Weaver, Fresno, Calif.; Casey Wittenberg, Memphis, Tenn.

1:40 p.m. – 7:40 a.m. – K.J. Choi, Republic of Korea; Francesco Molinari, Italy; Carl Pettersson, Sweden

1:51 p.m. – 7:51 a.m. – Scott Piercy, Las Vegas, Nev.; Kevin Chappell, Fresno, Calif.; Jamie Donaldson, Wales

2:02 p.m. – 8:02 a.m. – Bo Van Pelt, Tulsa, Okla.; Kevin Streelman, Scottsdale, Ariz.; D.A. Points, Windermere, Fla.

2:13 p.m. – 8:13 a.m. – Branden Grace, South Africa; Sang-Moon Bae, Republic of Korea; Russell Henley, Macon, Ga.

2:24 p.m. – 8:24 a.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Japan; Billy Horschel, Jacksonsville, Fla.; Jordan Spieth, Dallas, Texas

2:35 p.m. – 8:35 a.m. – Mathew Goggin, Australia; Steven Alker, New Zealand; Alistair Presnell, Australia

2:46 p.m. – 8:46 a.m. – Matt Harmon, Grand Rapids, Mich.; a-Gavin Hall, Pittsford, N.Y.; Bio Kim, Republic of Korea

2:57 p.m. – 8:57 a.m. – Zack Fischer, Wake Village, Texas; Ryan Sullivan, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Brandon Crick, McCook, Neb.

a=amateur

1. Flying Fish FU Sandy (6.2%): Surprisingly, I had not yet had this wheat beer before the Opening Tap for Philly Beer Week. Not sure why I hadn’t, but it was worth the wait. It bursts with citrusy hops, but is tempered by a slight grassy taste. A wonderful, refreshing beer that is more than worth the value of saying FU to Sandy.

2. Founders KBS (11.4%): Sipping beer, people. Ultimate mix of coffee, chocolate and bourbon. One helluva beer.

3. Lost Abbey Devotion (6.2%): This fantastic blond ale lets the hops come through a bit, but is very even. The finish is a bit peppery.

4. DeSchutes Hop Henge Experimental IPA (10.4%): Huge hops flavors pours forth. Finish is bitter. Astounding beer.

5. Simon Maibock (6.6%): The month got off to a strong start with the annual Sly Fox goat races. The winning goat, another three-legged critter in Simon, gets the brewery’s annual maibock named after it. Sweet and perfect, this beer must be tried before it’s gone.

6. Port Brewing Hop 15 (10%): This double IPA from one of the country’s very best breweries is packed with citrusy flavor and bursting with hops bitterness. An annual treat.

7. Russian River Supplication (7%): An ale aged in pinot noir barrels with cherries added for 12-15 months. Pucker up, baby. I had had this bottle for three years, so it was even more pronounced.

8. Stone Enjoy by 5.17.13 (9.4%): At some point, people will figure out that referring to something in beer terms as a grassy flavor is not a bad thing. It’s a beer thing. It’s a good thing. This was it. Great IPA.

9. Rock Bottom (King of Prussia) Sub-Zero (6.7%): Four words: Unfiltered, citrusy, bitter IPA. Oh, and it’s fantastic.

10. Ballast Point Sea Monster (10%): This imperial stout is highlighted by roasted malts, chocolate and hints of citrus from hops. Goes down smooth.

11. Manayunk Iron Curtain (9.3%): This Russian Imperial Stout is full-bodied, robust and roasted. Great sipping beer.

12. Doylestown Union Street IPA (6.7%): Very even, nicely hopped, drinkable IPA. Well done.

It would be impossible to keep up with everything going on, but we will note three events today.

First, the Haddon Pub Fest in South Jersey, featuring eight bars, most along Haddon Ave. in Westmont. A free shuttle will operate between all establishments. A Pub Fest T-shirt will get you some discounts. The Fest runs from 2 to 7 p.m. It's pay as you go.

Capone's in Norristown, Pa., has its all-day IPA throwdown, featuring some of the best IPAs in the country. It starts at 11:30 a.m. and runs until closing.

At the Drafting Room in Exton, Pa., homebrewers have their pour, taking over six of the taps beginning at 10 a.m. Also from the Drafting Room, it's a New York vs. Pennsylvania brewery showdown starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Sly Fox Valor, Troegs Scratch 44, Yards Grand Cru, an Earth Bread & Brewery offering and Victory Liberty Bell Ringer DIPA will go against Ithaca Flower Power, Southern Tier Plum Noir, Sixpoint Spice of Life, and Brooklyn Brewmaster Series. Check draftingroom.com for other specials during Beer Week.

Morgan Pressel signed a few autographs after her Pro-Am round and then talked with the C-P

Spoke with LPGA Tour player Morgan Pressel for a few minutes following her Pro-Am round in preparation for the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer at Seaview Hotel and Golf Club.

Just a couple of questions, nothing real pressing.

Here’s a sample:

KM: What it’s like coming back to Seaview for this event? The fans seem to be into it and it has the largest Pro-Am of any tournament on tour.

MP: “I remember coming to Atlantic City my first few years on tour. We’re all appreciative of being back. It’s great to see how involved the community is.

“It’s a good golf course for spectating because a lot of the holes come back to you. There are a lot of things that add to this being such a great event.”

KM: Coldplay or Bon Jovi?

MP: “Neither. Aren’t they pretty much the same? … I’d have to say Bon Jovi. I’ve been to a concert. I don’t like Coldplay.”

KM: What do you usually eat for breakfast before a round?

MP: “Oatmeal. … With flax meal, brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins.”

KM: What’s your favorite course?

MP: “Pine Valley. I played it once. I just thought it was really neat. There’s nothing tricked up about it. It was hard but it was fun. It was a great day. You can’t see any holes from others. I was very impressed and happy we got to play.”

Follow Kevin Minnick on Twitter @cp_varsity

The official opening is 7 p.m. Friday when Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter swings the almighty Hammer of Glory to tap the first keg, affectionately known as Brotherly Suds 4. This will take place outside the Independence Visitor Center.

Suds 4 is an English summer ale with a citrus hop collaboratively brewed by Gene Muller of Flying Fish, based in Somerdale, Gordon Grubb of Nodding Head, Tom Kehoe of Yards, Bill Covaleski of Victory and Mark Edelson of Iron Hill.

After that, there is the Opening Tap tasting featuring over 30 breweries. General admission tickets are $45, if they are still available.

For the next 10 days, over 1,000 events are on the schedule all over the city, suburbs and South Jersey.

In South Jersey, the marquee event is the Haddon Pub Fest, running from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Participants in the township are the usual suspects of Keg & Kitchen, treno, Pour House, PJ Whelihan’s, Brewer’s Town Tavern, Irish Mile, Taproom & Grill and Tom Fischers. Each establishment will feature a brewery.

We know there are eight places and nine featured breweries: Sam Adams, 16 Mile, Flying Fish, Great Lakes, Allagash, Goose Island, Stone, Victory and Unibroue. Victory will be setting up shop at Whelihan’s.

Also, June 8, Keg & Kitchen is having a Beer Week Challenge involving 25 2-person teams. Read about it at http://blogs.courierpostonline.com/eatmywords/tag/keg-kitchen.

After that, you’re best bet is pour yourself a cold craft brew and view the calendar at phillybeerweek.org to decide from where the next cold craft brew is coming. Voters on their website picked these 10 events as ones to check out.

1. Independence Visitor Center - Opening Tap 5/31/2013
2. Johnny Brenda's - Fishtown FestivALE with Sly Fox 06/08/2013
3. Uno Chicago Grill - Hamilton - Founders Tap Takeover 05/31/2013
4. The Grey Lodge Pub - The Wild Brunch 06/01/2013
5. Eulogy Belgian Tavern - Barrel-ly Legal 2.. even more wood! 06/04/2013
6. Johnny Brenda's - iT'S A FiRKiN RiOT! 06/01/2013
7. Kite and Key - Firestone Walker Presents "Full Session" 06/06/2013
8. Devil's Den - Bella Vista Beer Bash 05/31/2013
9. City Tap House - GREAT SESSION BEER CHALLENGE - TBA
10. Free Library of Philadelphia - Browse & Brews 06/05/2013
10 (tie). The Twisted Tail - Kick The Keg 06/05/2013
10 (tie). The Twisted Tail - Kick The Keg 06/07/2013
10. (tie). City Tap House - Firestone Walker Country Jamboree Event 06/05/2013

More than 16,000 satellite parking spaces have been secured to help ensure that the anticipated 175,000 spectators at the U.S. Open experience trouble-free travel to and from the championship. Local traffic representatives from Haverford and Lower Merion townships, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, State Police, SEPTA and several other jurisdictions have been involved in the 18-month-long planning process with the USGA.

Event Parking and Routes to the Championship

All general spectators traveling by car to the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club should follow event trailblazing signs to the nearest spectator parking area. Complimentary general spectator parking will be provided at Rose Tree Park (RED Lot) in Media, Pa., and PPL Park (BLUE Lot) in Chester, Pa. Approximately 175 complimentary shuttle buses will transport spectators to and from Merion Golf Club and will run continuously from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day of the championship.

** Spectators utilizing I-76, I-476, I-276 or who are traveling from points west of Philadelphia will be directed to park at Rose Tree Park (RED Lot). From I-476, spectators should take Exit 5 for US-1 South (Springfield/Lima) and follow event trailblazing signs to the RED Lot. Complimentary shuttle bus transportation to and from the RED Lot and Merion Golf Club should take approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

** Spectators utilizing I-95, I-295, the New Jersey Turnpike or who are traveling from points east will be directed to park at PPL Park (BLUE Lot). Complimentary shuttle bus transportation to and from the BLUE Lot and Merion Golf Club should take approximately 35 minutes, depending upon traffic.

** From I-95, spectators should take Exit 4 for US-322 East (Commodore Barry Bridge/New Jersey) and follow event trailblazing signs to the BLUE Lot. 

** From the New Jersey Turnpike, spectators should take Exit 2 for US-322 West (Swedesboro/Glassboro) and follow event trailblazing signs to the BLUE Lot.

** From I-295 southbound, spectators should take Exit 13 for (US-130 South/US-322 West/Commodore Barry Bridge) and follow US-322 West and event trailblazing signs to the BLUE Lot. 

** From I-295 northbound, spectators should take Exit 11B for US-322 West (Bridgeport/Commodore Barry Bridge) and follow event trailblazing signs to the BLUE Lot. 

“Unless the ticket holder has a championship-specific parking pass, all general spectators traveling by car should utilize parking at Rose Tree Park (RED Lot) or at PPL Park (BLUE Lot),” said John Viola, deputy chief of the Haverford Township Police. “There will be no championship parking for general spectators in the immediate vicinity of Merion Golf Club.  Vehicles that are parked illegally will be subject to ticketing, fines and towing.”

Accessible parking spaces will be available at all championship parking areas for vehicles displaying appropriate HP/DP license plates or placards. Individuals requiring lift-equipped transportation are encouraged to contact the Transportation Hotline at (800) 698-0661 to obtain additional information regarding parking and transportation.

Alternatives to Driving to the Championship

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will offer two convenient transportation options to and from the U.S. Open using the Regional Rail and the Norristown High Speed Line.

** Regional Rail – Take the Paoli/Thorndale Regional Rail Line to the Rosemont Station. Customers using other SEPTA Regional Rail Lines can transfer to the Paoli Line at the 30th Street, Suburban or Market East Stations. Complimentary shuttle bus transportation to and from Rosemont Station and Merion Golf Club will be provided and should take approximately 10 minutes, depending upon traffic. Spectators requiring an accessible station should take the Paoli/Thorndale Line to Radnor Station.

** Norristown High Speed Line – Take the Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) to the Ardmore Avenue Station. Customers can connect to the NHSL at the 69th Street Transportation Center located in Upper Darby, Pa., or the Norristown Transportation Center in Norristown, Pa. The Ardmore Avenue Station is within walking distance of a championship admission gate.

Visit SEPTA at www.septa.org for complete, schedule, fare and station location information or call Customer Service (215) 580-7800.

Spectators and local residents wishing to be dropped off at the championship should utilize the Passenger, Taxi or Limousine Drop-Off, located on Hannum Drive in Ardmore, Pa. Vehicles (15-passenger and smaller) should access this area via US-30/Lancaster Avenue. Vehicles traveling eastbound on US-30/Lancaster Avenue are instructed to turn right onto Holland Avenue while vehicles traveling westbound on US-30/Lancaster Avenue are instructed to turn left onto Ardmore Avenue before following event signs to the appropriate drop-off location.

Hannum Drive will also serve as the site for bicycle parking at the championship, in addition to designated locations at Rose Tree Park (RED Lot) and PPL Park (Blue Lot). Bike racks will be provided to secure all bikes and owners are responsible for securing their bikes. Bikes will be left at the owner’s risk.

Groups of spectators arriving at the championship by private coach bus or 16-plus passenger vehicles will not be allowed to access the Passenger, Taxi or Limousine Drop-Off. They will be directed by law enforcement personnel to park and/or drop-off at PPL Park (BLUE Lot), where U.S. Open shuttles will be available for transportation to and from the championship.

Road Restrictions

A number of roadways will be closed for the duration of the championship and be restricted to championship-only vehicles displaying the proper permit and/or placard. No other vehicular or pedestrian traffic, including bicycles, will be permitted during the active hours of the road closures. 

** Haverford Road, between College Avenue and Ardmore Avenue – Closed June 9-17, 24 hours.

** Golf House Road, between College Avenue and Ardmore Avenue – Closed June 8-17, 24 hours.

** Ardmore Avenue, between Darby Road and Haverford Road – Closed June 9-17, 24 hours.

** College Avenue will become one way for local residents towards Haverford Road beginning at the eastern intersection of Coopertown Road/College Avenue – During June 10-17, 24 hours 

** West Ardmore Avenue between Darby Road and Ellis Road – Closed June 10-17, from 6 a.m.–9 p.m. (resident traffic only).

** Ellis Road between West Ardmore Avenue and Lawrence Road – Closed June 10-17, from 6 a.m.–9 p.m. (resident traffic only). 

** Golfview Road between Ardmore Avenue and Sunnybrook Lane – Closed June 9-17, 24 hours.

For more information on the 2013 U.S. Open and for regular transportation updates, visit www.USOPEN.com. 

Follow Kevin Minnick on Twitter @cp_varsity

The Classic, in coordination with title sponsor ShopRite, will contribute 100 percent of all advance ticket sales to charity partners.

Tickets are now on sale through www.ShopRiteLPGAClassic.com or by calling the tournament office at (609) 798-0222, and each ticket buyer will choose which charity partner will receive the donation on behalf of the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer. To date, there are 20 tournament charity partners, including AtlantiCare Foundation, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Foundation, and Community FoodBank of New Jersey – Southern Branch.

Since 1992, ShopRite has donated more than $25 million to charities by sponsoring LPGA tournaments, including $1.2 million in 2012 for charitable organizations in ShopRite service areas that aid hospitals, food banks, educational institutions and other agencies.

“Charitable giving is a significant and important component of our tournament efforts,” said Tim Erensen, Executive Director of the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer. “Thanks to the tremendous support of ShopRite, and all of our corporate partners, we are able to continue this tradition of giving to organizations that need assistance in our community.”

The 2013 ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer – in association with Tanger Outlets The Walk, the Official Ticket Sponsor of the 2013 event – is offering three ticket options: Good Any-One-Day Grounds Ticket for $15; Weekly Grounds Pass for $30; and Weekly Clubhouse Pass for $60. The Weekly Clubhouse Pass will provide access to Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, which provides additional dining and hospitality options.

Additionally, the tournament announced the following free ticket promotions:
• Children 17-years-old and younger will be admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult
• ShopRite Price Plus Members will receive two free grounds tickets per day by showing a valid membership card at the Admissions Gate
• All service personnel (military, fire and police) will be admitted free throughout the tournament with proper ID

The ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer will be held Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2 on the Bay Course at Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club.

The best players on the LPGA Tour will compete for a $1.5 million purse in the 54-hole, LPGA-sanctioned official event.

Also on Friday, LPGA tour pros Lexi Thompson, Natalie Gulbis, Brooke Pancake and Kathleen Ekey will navigate a one-of-a-kind golf skills course laid out along the iconic Atlantic City boardwalk.

The Red Bull Boardwalk Drive event will feature the LPGA athletes taking aim from a custom-built tee box placed on the brow of Revel Casino’s famous SkyGarden located 87 feet above sea level. From high above the Boardwalk, Lexi and friends will need to use every club in their bag to conquer a course that features sand and water targets ranging from 75 to nearly 250 yards.

The Red Bull Boardwalk Drive starts at 7 p.m. and is free to the public. Fans are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes early to secure viewing spots located on the Boardwalk around Revel as well as in the SkyGarden at Revel.

Employees of Iron Hill Brewery move new tanks into what will be the Voorhees location. Photo: Douglas Bovitt/Courier-Post

After a weeklong trip from Victoria, British Columbia, 20 stainless steel brewing and storage tanks arrived Monday afternoon at the Voorhees Town Center.

The tanks will be installed at the new Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, scheduled to open Aug. 1. The Voorhees location will be the chain’s second in South Jersey. A Maple Shade restaurant opened in 2009.

“This is very exciting,” said head brewer Kevin Walter, as the first of two tractor-trailers pulled into the parking lot behind the restaurant site.

“We’ve been waiting for this for the last year and a half. There have been some delays, but now we finally got it on schedule, and the tanks are finally here.”

The tanks cost about $300,000, said Iron Hill co-founder Mark Edelson.

“And that’s not including installation,” he added as he watched the tanks being moved. “So we have to be pretty careful.”

Ten serving tanks — each capable of holding about 300 gallons of brew — were taken off the first truck with the help of a huge forklift. The containers were then placed on dollies and rolled into the restaurant.

“These will stay in the cold box and the beer will be pumped directly from these tanks to the taps at the bar,” noted Walter, who said he hoped to start brewing beer in “about four to five weeks, if all goes well.”

The Town Center is owned by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust. PREIT’s Mike Fox, general manager of the center, echoed Walter’s enthusiasm as he took pictures and video of the tanks being off-loaded.

“With these tanks coming in, it’s like the beginning of the end, so to speak. We’re very excited; we’re ecstatic. And we think Iron Hill will make a great addition to the center.”

The Town Center, which also offers a farmers market on Saturdays, is on a restaurant streak. Catelli Duo, an osteria and wine bar, opened in late 2012, as did Rodizio Grill, a Brazilian-style steakhouse.

Elena Wu, which offers Chinese food with a French flair, made its debut earlier this year, as did Burger 21.

“Our focus has been the restaurants that will be a mini-anchor for us,” Fox said. “And it’s all been great.”

The unique course is 100 percent bent grass and named in honor of the diamondback terrapins that inhabit Seaview’s famed Bay Course each summer.

The Bay Course will once again host the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer later that week.

The Turtle Course was created to provide a fun, yet challenging putting experience for golfers and non-golfers alike. It also adds a new form of entertainment for the resort’s hotel guests as well as group meeting and conference attendees.