The early summer debutantes’ ball is nearly in full swing.

The USGA brings its first test of championship golf to Sebonack Golf Club, in the guise of the U.S. Women’s Open. A relative newcomer to the dance sheet, Sebonack abuts the National Golf Links of America and is a neighbor to Shinnecock Hills, both experienced in the hosting of national and international events.

Shinnecock is remembered for its men’s U.S. Open championships, won by players like Raymond Floyd, Corey Pavin and Retief Goosen. National keeps a lower profile, although it will step forward into the spotlight this fall, when it hosts the Walker Cup competition.

And Sebonack? There is a back story to this golf club. It represents the first and only conjoined effort of two of the era’s seminal golf course architects. Jack Nicklaus and Tom Doak are two men whose career paths seldom intertwined until developer Michael Pascucci united them to develop this stunning parcel of land along the Great Peconic Bay. The result was a bit of give here, an essence of take there, from both figures, until the remarkable golf course came to be. The professional tournament experience of Nicklaus and the redoubtable architectural wisdom of Doak came together to create a singular playing experience.

Inbee Park brings the golf world’s focus to eastern Long Island this week. In April, Park won the first women’s major championship of the season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship. She followed with a victory at the Wegmans LPGA Championship, creating a media buzz and lighting the torches along the pathway to a potential Grand Slam. Or, if you prefer, a Perfect Pentagon, given that the women play for five major titles (with the Ricoh British Open and the Evian Championshiop to follow the U.S. Open.)

No one can say whether the course suits Park’s eye or fits her game, since it is the first playing of any championship over these fairways. As a former champion (2008), Park is certainly aware of the level of play and composure needed to stand alone with the trophy on Sunday evening.

Stacy Lewis and her caddie on Monday at Sebonack.

Certain to provide proper competition and roadblocks along Park’s path are recent world No. 1-ranked-player Stacy Lewis, resurgent Karrie Webb and Suzanne Petersen. The U.S. Open is the most demanding walk from first tee to 72^nd green, from both a physical and emotional perspective. Lewis and Petersen are among the most physically fit players on tour and Webb has both the fitness and the guile (twice Open champion, in 2000 and 2001) to handle the gauntlet.

Karrie Webb practices from greenside rough.

A unique story emanates from California’s Casie Cathrea. Ten days ago, she won the inaugural Women’s Porter Cup in Lewiston, NY (near Niagara Falls) after a six-birdie 65 in her opening round. She flew home to Livermore to graduate with her high school class, then flew east again to compete in her first U.S. Women’s Open. Cathrea will attend Oklahoma State University in the fall, where she will compete for the Cowgirls golf team.

The Sebonack course tumbles across a rambling piece of bayside property. The clubhouse is situated at the highest point on the property and the golf course descends from this mount in numerous directions. A bit of water dots certain holes, yet the main challenge lies in the rugged bunkering, the turbulent putting surfaces and the spacious fairways.

Spacious fairways a problem? Indeed. Doak and Nicklaus give the golfer plenty of room off the tee and into the green. It just might be too much room for the unfocused eye, however. There is always a proper side of the fairway to target, for an optimal angle into the green. If you miss left, right or even in the center, your line toward the appropriate portion of the green may not be ideal.

Fairway width: 18th at Sebonack.

No single aspect of the game is emphasized at Sebonack. An accurate putter, powerful long game and deft touch around the putting surfaces will hold court this week in the Hamptons. The player that leaves the east end of Long Island with the championship trophy will have triumphed in all facets of the game.