Tribe Gains Millions from Golf Club on Ancestral Land

The Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, situated near the Shinnecock Indian Nation on Long Island, has historically profited immensely from hosting the U.S. Open, while the tribe received meager financial benefits. This stark economic disparity, present since the club's founding in 1891, highlights generational conflict over ancestral lands. The club was built using tribal labor on what the tribe considers stolen land.

For the upcoming U.S. Open, tribal leaders have negotiated a more substantial agreement, securing upward of $800,000 from various deals, including spectator parking and youth programs. This lucrative arrangement, which also includes potential earnings from helicopter landing fees, represents the single largest moneymaking event in the tribe's history. It surpasses revenue from their other enterprises like billboards and retail sales.

However, the deal is not universally accepted within the tribe. Some members, like Maurice Williams, view the compensation as inadequate compared to the club's immense value and the historical injustices. They feel the agreement validates the occupation of their ancestral burial grounds and the land taken from them centuries ago.

Despite these criticisms, tribal officials like Seneca Bowen emphasize the importance of engagement with the U.S. Golf Association (USGA). Past confrontations, including protests and vandalism during previous Opens, have been contentious. The current improved relationship includes a land acknowledgment and blessings, aiming for a partnership rather than the tribe being an afterthought.

The USGA spokesperson, Beth Major, confirmed a strong relationship with the Shinnecock Nation, expressing excitement for the 2026 U.S. Open and acknowledging the tribe's role in the local community. This improved rapport marks a significant shift from previous disputes, including a crisis in 2018 where protesters highlighted desecrated graves and the use of cemeteries for play.