Hazeltine National

[John_Conley]

the Lasher:

About a quarter of a million people lined the streets to see a procession go by with Mikhail Gorbachev.

The NCAA decided to hold the Women's Volleyball National Championship at Williams Arena in the late 80s.  Drew 13,000 per session - about 50-60% more than the previous record - and decided to go back regularly.

The Minnesota Monarchs professional Volleyball team was so successful in their year of existence, after the league folded the team stayed in force and played a series of exhibitions against teams flown in from all over the world.  They could draw 10,000, so why not.  Truly in a "league of their own"!

The U.S. Open at Hazeltine in 1991 was the most successful financially for the USGA and changed the way the looked for sites in the future.

Minnesotans will support just about anything with a fervor unseen anywhere else.

As my above posts asked, "What do you get when you cross a state that will support anything with the state with the highest participation rate for golf?"

To answer your question... this is nothing new.  Minnesotans have always been maniacal about golf.

[John_Conley]

How can I forget?!

Almost 20,000 people watched a wrestling dual meet last winter!  

[RJ_Daley]

I attended Monday practice rounds in intermittent showers.  I agree with most that has been said above.  The Twin Cities seems to really go all out for sports and they appear to love having 'the big tournament' there.  I thought the Monday crowds inspite of gloomy weather were outstanding.

I also agree (with the caveat that I never played there) that Hazeltine is just a big muscular course that will demand a gruelling week of competition.  I found very little that is charming or appealing in the golf design.  I wouldn't desire to play it - as it seems that it is just a big time gruelling test for tournament golfers.  All the bunkers and water hazards are placed where they should be to demand a perfectly placed shot.  Trees are big factors in the design and challenge of play.   Bunkers are caped and bayed in an artistic fashion.  But, it has a sameness and idyllic look that just doesn't strike a chord with me.  If they don't cut the rough anymore before the tone-a-mint, it may be outrageously high, but softer fairways and greens may even that out a bit.  

[Rick Shefchik]

RJ,

Maybe it's just the opportunity to play on a U.S. Open/PGA/U.S. Senior Open course, but I love playing Hazeltine. I'm not a real big hitter, but from the right set of tees -- 6700 or so for me -- Hazeltine is not too brutish to be enjoyed. Charm? Well, Interlachen, Somerset, Woodhill and White Bear Yacht Club in the Twin Cities probably have more charm, but Hazeltine demands your respect, and never, ever disappoints you by seeming gimmicky or deceptive. It's a tough challenge, makes you play all your clubs and hit all your shots, but richly rewards good golf. I think you'd like it more than you think if you played it.

What did you think of StoneRidge?

[Jeff_McDowell]

John is right about the media feeding frenzy. The local CBS affiliate is going nuts. Monday night's 10 PM news' first 12 minutes were dedicated to the tournament.

Minnesotan's love their golf, and this event is great for golf in Minnesota. This year rounds have been down, the weather has been poor, and the local newspapers have written articles about how the business of golf is hurting.

I agree with RJ's assessement of Hazeltine. It's long and brutish. Perfect for a championship.

I've played the course once, and was out there for the US Open, but I remember a few charming holes like 7, 8, 10 and 17.

[Billy Wubyer]

Jeff,
10 sure is a great test of golf, but I have to say I thought the green was a little harsh.
They had the pin front right when I played - that might be OK for some people but I thought it was close to cheating!
Billy.