Erin Hills Set For Saturday Grand Re-Re-Re-Opening
Gary D'Amato on high hopes that the third time around will have Erin Hills looking like a 2017 U.S. Open course.
Some 300 trees have been removed; it's the perfect example of less is more, because 20 specimen oaks now stand out on the horizon. Seas of 18-inch golden fescue wave in the ever-present breeze. Wide, emerald fairways framed by huge, jagged-edged bunkers create jaw-dropping views from almost every tee.
From the elevated tee box on No. 4, Tock pointed out that flagsticks on nine holes were visible. From almost any point on the course, golfers can face east and see Holy Hill looming in the distance, a beacon guiding them home to the Irish manor clubhouse.
In terms of the U.S. Open, there is so much room for spectators and corporate hospitality, the '17 Open most likely will set attendance records.
"This has the potential to be the No. 1 spectator course in the 117-year history of the U.S. Open," Tock said. "There's no other course that has the ease of moving people around and the natural amphitheaters for viewing. We could accommodate 65,000 to 75,000 spectators here."
Where would all of those people stay? Just asking.
The story includes a nice gallery of images as well.
Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 08:32 PM
Reader Comments (15)
Oh, so in other words, it's flatter than a Florida frying pan? Never been there. But that sounds pretty topographically boring.
Where will they all stay?
Party at Stricker's!
By excellent roads, you mean gravel gravel? I think your underestimating traffic, any major event is going to have traffic. Im sure Wi will get rich off the many Illinois speeders coming up to the Open anyway. There is no shortage of these, when the people supporting your tourism industry race up every weekend to their cabins.
It really is just a big corporate event with a big push on merchandise, and of course TV coverage.....they are too hung up on politics and exclusive clubs in the middle of nowhere.....maybe the economy will curb the size of the Opens and bring it back to normal. You used to be able to park at the event not too long ago, not get bused in!
And if you think that area is dead pan flat, you're dead pan flat wrong. It's in the glacial moraine of southeastern Wisconsin, which couldn't be more ideal for interesting topography for a golf course.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/kmscenicdrive/forestgeology.html
A Texan in a grocery store is looking around for a clerk to ask that he be given half a head of lettuce instead of having to buy a whole one.
The clerk informs the man that its against store policy to cut up produce like that.
The Texan gets all huffy and asks the clerk to get the manager.
The clerk runs over to the manager and says, "There's this crazy person in the store who wants half a head of lettuce" but just as he says this he realizes the Texan has followed him so he quickly adds,
"And this nice gentleman here from Texas who wants the other half."
The manager oks the sale then later says to the young clerk, "Boy, that was fast thinking on your part.
We have a store opening in Wisconsin and I'd like you to go there and train to be Manager."
The kid quickly balks by saying, "Wisconsin? No way the only things there are whores and hockey players."
The manager lifts his eyes and says "Son, my wife happens to be from Wisconsin."
To which the kid replies, "Really, What team does she play for?"
I think the spectator parking will be in Madison and then you will have to board a shuttle for the hour long ride. It was a long way to CS Monterey Bay to Pebble Beach this year.
Or they could park cars in a nearby pasture, yeah right.