FAR HILLS, N.J. – Feb. 17, 2005 – Golf House, the home of the United States Golf Association Museum's public exhibition galleries, will close for renovations on March 31, the Association has announced.

Built in 1919 and designed by renowned American architect John Russell Pope, the Georgian colonial mansion houses the finest public collection of golf memorabilia, equipment and artwork in the world. Among its many highlights are the Bob Jones Room, the USGA Trophy Room, and the Moon Club used by Astronaut Alan Shepard on the lunar surface in 1971.

The current major exhibit -- "Let Me Play Again: Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Cancer and the 1954 U.S. Women's Open" -- will also end when the museum closes for renovations at the end of March.

This decision does not affect the operations of the USGA Library & Archives (books, photographs, and films) that are housed in the USGA's Administration Building located next to the museum.

"Golf House has been a beautiful and useful home to the USGA collection for many years," said Rand Jerris, museum director. "But, it's now more than 80 years old and in need of some upgrades. We'll use the time to decide exactly what next steps we should take with the facility before we renovate and reopen at a future time in Far Hills. I want to emphasize that we're not permanently closing or moving the museum, only renovating the building."

Until closing the building at the end of March, the Museum and its gift shop will be open daily to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

The USGA Museum and Archives maintains the largest golf library and oldest sports museum in the nation dedicated to preserving the traditions and history of the game. Visit http://www.usga.org/history/index.html for more information.

Contact:
http://www.usga.org
mediarelations@usga.org