GolfClubAtlas.com > Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group
What am I missing about Hazeltine that the PGA of America keeps seeing?
Jim Franklin:
I agree with Greg that there is not a tree problem at Hazletine, I just thought it was a long, boring course. It is an excellent championship course, but I would much rather be a member at Interlachen, Minikahda, or even Golden Valley.
Michael Wharton-Palmer:
I played at Hazeltine in the USGA State team championship a few years ago.
A very good test of golf..tests every aspect of your game and as such is a good venue for a major.
Architectural masterpiece..certainly not...the course is a little disjointed at best, certainly has no flow to it, but perhaps that is one of the reasons it is such a good test, it keeps you off guard all the time.
Unlike most on this site, I have no problem with trees lining fairways...I think they serve as a useful penal result to poor shots as long as they are well placed.
The trees at Hazeltine fit that description.
If you ere in them you deserve to be punished.
A long tough course, perhaps not too attractive, but again a good test for the worlds best.
Matt_Ward:
Jay:
You miss the big picture partner.
The PGA of America has made it a point to be dominant in the midwest section of the USA -- you can see the move with their usage of various sites in the area -- OH/S, Medinah, Hazeltine, etc, etc.
The PGA knows how close the USGA is with many sites in the northeast and therefore has until very recently avoided that area. The lone major exception being Baltusrol in '05 and again with the PGA Championship in the next decade.
To answer your questions -- Hazeltine is blessed with a membership that enjoys such events -- let me point out that Minnesota stil has, I believe, the largest percentage of golfers within their state's population so the game is dear to many there.
In regards to the course -- it is far better than what was present prior to Rees Jones getting involved. Your pictures were slanted to a few holes -- the rest of the course has plenty of sunlight gracing the fairways and surrounding areas.
Greg makes a fair point on the redundacy of the 9th and 18th holes. They are failr similar. But there are many solid holes too -- the downhill dog-leg 10th is quite good and much has been written on the famed 16th hole which Rees superbly created.
Hazeltine provides the needed logistics and nember support to hold such an event. It is not Oakmont or Shinnecock Hills or even Bethpage Black -- but it's a worthy test and if set-up properly -- unlike what the PGA did last year with OH/S will likely provide its fair share of excitement.
Kalen Braley:
I thought I would take a look at an aerial view for comparison. It didn't jump off the page to me as being overly treed even though the one corner of the course seems to have quite a few.
Jay Flemma:
Matt, you bring up a great point - that if the minnesotans love golf, I should highlight that in my piece too.
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