Medinah Rounding Into Shape, Slowly

Sean Jensen visits Medinah for an update where the fairways are finally getting a break from being played "aggressively" by members and guests according to director of golf course operations Curtis Tyrrell.

The PGA's Kerry Haigh recently paid a visit and is only concerned with the fairway conditions, which should thrive with cooler weather and minimal play since the course was closed on August 20th.

The fairways are his only concern because of a combination of wear and tear, as well as weather. Tyrrell said the different types of grass at Medinah ideally grow at a soil temperature of around 50 to 65 degrees. But with a hot June and July — including a stretch of 45 days when the soil temperature was over 80 — the fairways, in particular, took a beating.

‘‘Rain would help and some cooler temperatures, and if we have one of those great Chicago Septembers, we’ll be just fine,’’ said Michael Belot, the director of the 2012 Ryder Cup. ‘‘The course will be in phenomenal shape.’’

Added Tyrrell, ‘‘The fairways are really filled in.’’

A nice video report features Tyrrell talking about tree removal and Rees Jones' renovation of Medinah.

Comments

[Sun Mountain Man]

1100 trees isn't enough.

[RickABQ]

More importantly. are the trees there the right height?

[JRP]

It was way more than 1100 trees.

[redneck]

Medinah stinks. Period.

[iveplayedmedinah]

medinah is a course i have been invited to numerous times, and have passed it up often. 1100 trees is about half as much as they need to remove. Honestly, it is unbelievable how a country club such as medinah is always in such poor condition. for the ryder cup, i expect nothing less of perfect given the course will have almost zero play for a month. in addition to the poor conditions, the architecture and design of the course is terrible. long hallway par 4s, all par 3s are the same (200+ yards over a pond), and Driver 3wd par 5s do no set up for an enjoyable round of golf. medinah might crack the 7-10 spot in the best country clubs in chicago.

[GolfFan]

Medinah is charmless, as with most "tour calibre courses"

Whatever. It was never any good, so no loss, right?