Wiggles:
Don't apologize to me. HAZELTINE is a lot of things, but in my list of the Top 5 around MSP it's not.
I think it is a great tournament venue, as evidenced by the U.S. Open for Men, Women, and Seniors. It has also held the State Team, a Mid-Am, and the NCAA Championships. Next up are two PGA Championships.
The characteristics that knock it down a few notches for everyday play are the same ones that make it a great test, but only for players of the highest talents. It is frankly too hard for the average golfer.
I think it does have some very good holes. My fave? #10, with a beautiful drop to the green in front of the lake. (If you haven't been there, the greens of 10 and 16 sit very close to each other.
Other good holes... #6, whose approach is similar to #11 at Augusta. #8, great use of a small, angled green on a short par 3. #16 of course.
I feel its weakness is that there are too many long, tough, bland holes - which is definitely not a weakness for tournament golf. The main culprits? #9 and #18. These run side by side up a hill and measure about 450. The U.S. Open champion should have to navigate such a hole. Others in the long and bland category include #s 1, 2, and 12 for par 4s, and a pretty bad mix of par 5s.