We were filming at the Rocket Mortgage Classic this last week and the course was in great shape. Perhaps a bit defenseless but given the previous deluges and flat terrain, it was in fairly good shape. As I listened to the tournament team, they were pleased for the city and buoyed by the inaugural level of participation. They understood and expected some scoring brutality. It is a flat, lightly bunkered, fairly straight ahead parkland Ross. It had barely dried out from months of rain and late season snows. PGA imported truckloads of top dressing sand precedent to practice rounds. The fact that it held up is a testament to the tournament team. There is work to be done but personally, it was nice to see a new Ross in the weekend mix. It will be interesting to watch what defenses are added during the coming year(s). Grandstand alleyways were a good idea in concept from a fan and sponsor perspective. A bit narrow-as hell for great golf. Heard on the range: " Definitely an urban trek. I felt like I was playing through the alleys back home..."
The community outreach was extensive. Detroit has seen the worst of what any urban area could see. It is on an interesting rebound for some. I was impressed by effort expended by the PGATour, DGC and the RMC Tourney to include and invite the entire metro across all demographics (Even Union...)
Additionally, all communication by the club and tournament included fairly detailed overview of Ross' architectural contributions and connections to the club and the course. The Ross chatter extended beyond press and media to the community outreach, spectators, and even included the kids clinics and outreach to various organizations. It was insightful to see the organization recognize and embed the value of their golf architecture in all of their messaging.
I sense that the tourney team acknowledges that course setup will need to grow some teeth going forward. They seem to understand and celebrate the limitations of their place in the PGA schedule. Strategically "missed cuts" will likely be the reality with the big name NetJets firing up Friday Evening. That said, the feel-good “Monday-Qualified-Champion-on-the-Donald-Ross-Course” human interest of Lashley's life story would not have been possible. Overall, it was a majority positive kickoff for the Ross site and well played.