How J.J. Spaun and the U.S. Open grounds crew navigated a waterlogged Oakmont
Everything was going wrong for J.J. Spaun. Then, the skies above Oakmont Country Club opened up.
About Me
Some dreams just refuse to die.
As a kid, I channeled my passion for sports into impromptu columns, with the audience limited to my parents' email contacts. My journalism journey became more official in undergrad at Stanford, where I wrote for the Stanford Daily and broadcast sports for KZSU 90.1 FM.
I joined Teach for America Memphis after college, and in the process of helping kids discover their dreams, I realized I needed to pursue mine. So, I got a master's in journalism from Northwestern, picking up the multifaceted skills needed in the field today.
After an incredibly rewarding internship at the Daily Memphian, I joined the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as a digital content producer. Through increasing the quantity and quality of our vertical videos, I've helped grow our social media following considerably. I also write about everything from breaking news to sports to features to a front-page special report.
One of the greatest experiences of my professional life was covering the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in June 2025. I wrote more than 40 articles, produced videos that reached millions of viewers and helped coordinate our coverage with the USGA and multiple departments of the newsroom.
When I'm not working, I love to run, play golf, watch sports and hang with my wife, Meghan, and beagle, Grizzly.
U.S. Open live coverage
Oakmont Country Club head pro Devin Gee gets his U.S. Open moment after all
Sam Burns, amid his lights-out 5-under round at the U.S. Open, also helped a spectator in need
Sam Burns was playing the round of his life. The kind golfers prefer not get interrupted.
A test of grit and mental toughness, Oakmont Country Club is ready for its closeup as the U.S. Open begins
Course tour of Oakmont Country Club
U.S. Open at Oakmont preview content
18 holes in 18 days: No. 18 at Oakmont provides an 'iconic' finish at U.S. Open
The last in an 18-day series previewing each hole at Oakmont.
How golfers are tackling Oakmont’s 8th hole, the longest par 3 in U.S. Open history
4 early storylines for the U.S. Open at Oakmont: Will the world's top-ranked golfers continue to dominate?
With nine holes to play at the PGA Championship, the inevitable had given way to the unbelievable.
We played a round of golf at Oakmont Country Club. Here's what makes it so tough.
Playing Oakmont social media video
Hole 8 at Oakmont social media video
Oakmont fan preview social media video
Follow Me
Awards
- 2025 Harrington Award, sports media (highest honor for Medill graduate students in each specialization)
- 2025 Keystone Media Awards, second-place features video (Pennsylvania statewide journalism contest)
- 2025 Tennessee State Press Contests, best sports writing (part of Daily Memphian staff that received the honor)
- 2025 Golden Quill Awards, eight videos named finalists (sponsored by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania)