Erin Hills, Site of 2017 U.S. Open

[1badbadger]

The site of the 2017 U.S. Open is near my old stomping grounds...I was born about 30 min. away from where Erin Hills was eventually built.  I moved from that area long before the course was even planned, so I've never been there or played it or anything, but I learned some interesting things this evening.

I have a good friend up there who works for a limo/shuttle company, and he has been driving people from Madison, Milwaukee and O'Hare to Erin Hills for several days, and he made several comments on how remote the golf course is.  It might not be exactly in the middle of nowhere, but apparently a short drive would get you there. There is only one way in, and one way out.  And these are country roads, not four-lane highways.

They announced this site would host the U.S. Open in 2010...seven years ago, and they couldn't get a better road system in place?  I thought that was one of the things that they took into consideration when they scout potential sites?  It sounds like this course was earmarked to host USGA events before it was even built, so if they set out to design a course that would one day host a major, why wouldn't the road infrastructure be included?

Anyway, the course itself is a monster...or at least can be, when the stretch it out.  From the blacks it plays 7,800 yds, but it looks like it will play about 7,700 during the tournament.  All four par 5s are over 600 yds, two par 4s are over 500 yds, and two others are over 480.  This is the first time in many years the course will play to a par of 72, which actually gives the guys a chance to make up some ground.

[iacas]

Kiawah Island is even worse, I'm sure… it's about a 30-minute drive under regular circumstances onto the island and out to the course, let alone during the PGA Championship.

[cipher]

I live just over 10 minutes away.  There are multiple roads in.  Also the Straits really is not much different.  There is essentially no parking allowed at the course.  Everyone will be shuttled in from what I hear.  This was the same situation as when I attended the Ryder Cup at Medina.

[David in FL]

77.9/145   And that's not set up for a U.S. Open.  

 

[saevel25]

13 minutes ago, David in FL said:

77.9/145   And that's not set up for a U.S. Open.  

 

Note that is for a 7800 yard course!!!

Their blue tees are 7200 and 75.0/139. 77.9 for a 7800 does not seem out of the ordinary. 

Edited May 28, 2017 by saevel25

[David in FL]

2 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

Note that is for a 7800 yard course!!!

Their blue tees are 7200 and 75.0/139. 77.9 for a 7800 does not seem out of the ordinary. 

That's a beast.  The greens look fairly playable.

One of these days....  there's a TON of world class golf up there now.

[1badbadger]

1 hour ago, David in FL said:

That's a beast.  The greens look fairly playable.

One of these days....  there's a TON of world class golf up there now.

That's no joke.  Between Blackwolf Run, Whistling Straights, Erin Hills and other strong public courses like University Ridge, Trappers Turn, SentryWorld and others, it's pretty good.

I read the whole story on how Erin Hills came to be...holy crap, it's like a Greek tragedy.  There is heartbreak, intrigue, high stakes business deals, murder, triumph, defeat...it was one of the most interesting things about the development of a golf course I have ever read:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/golf/2017-us-open/2017/05/05/making-erin-hills-part-1-most-perfect-site/100024980/

[David in FL]

4 minutes ago, 1badbadger said:

That's no joke.  Between Blackwolf Run, Whistling Straights, Erin Hills and other strong public courses like University Ridge, Trappers Turn, SentryWorld and others, it's pretty good.

I read the whole story on how Erin Hills came to be...holy crap, it's like a Greek tragedy.  There is heartbreak, intrigue, high stakes business deals, murder, triumph, defeat...it was one of the most interesting things about the development of a golf course I have ever read:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/golf/2017-us-open/2017/05/05/making-erin-hills-part-1-most-perfect-site/100024980/

And to think, that when I grew up there, Brown Deer Park and the GMO was about as good as it got!  

[1badbadger]

20 hours ago, David in FL said:

And to think, that when I grew up there, Brown Deer Park and the GMO was about as good as it got!  

Where did you grow up David?  I was born in West Bend, but grew up in Madison.  The GMO was my first PGA Tour event that I ever attended too, but it was back when it was played at Tuckaway C.C.!

[David in FL]

Just now, 1badbadger said:

Where did you grow up David?  I was born in West Bend, but grew up in Madison.  The GMO was my first PGA Tour event that I ever attended too, but it was back when it was played at Tuckaway C.C.!

I grew up in Racine and went to school in Madison.  All about the Badgers and the Pack!  

I was at Tuckaway on Sunday when Calvin Peete won in '79!    

[Buckeyebowman]

What they will do is establish a parking area away from the course and shuttle people in on buses. There's only a two lane road that goes past Oakmont and Firestone CC in Akron. I think the same with Bethpage Black. They've done this before and know what to do.

I'm very interested in getting a look at the place. I also appreciate the USGA becoming a bit more adventurous in deciding where they hold the Open. I read the book OPEN by John Feinstein which chronicles the decision making and the process of bringing the Open to Bethpage Black. Talk about hurdles to overcome! But it was a stroke of genius!

Edited June 1, 2017 by Buckeyebowman

[Erin Hills Neighbor]

Yes, there are multiple roads in. The easiest access, however, will be heading north, up Hwy 83. I've learned that many residents will offer private parking with private shuttles, incase there are delays with the USGA shuttles. And for those who are closer and don't want to drive out of their way to catch the USGA shuttle, there will definitely be many off site, private parking opportunities. Just a tip from a neighbor ?

On 5/28/2017 at 4:00 PM, cipher said:

I live just over 10 minutes away.  There are multiple roads in.  Also the Straits really is not much different.  There is essentially no parking allowed at the course.  Everyone will be shuttled in from what I hear.  This was the same situation as when I attended the Ryder Cup at Medina.

 

[David in FL]

8 hours ago, Erin Hills Neighbor said:

Yes, there are multiple roads in. The easiest access, however, will be heading north, up Hwy 83. I've learned that many residents will offer private parking with private shuttles, incase there are delays with the USGA shuttles. And for those who are closer and don't want to drive out of their way to catch the USGA shuttle, there will definitely be many off site, private parking opportunities. Just a tip from a neighbor ?

 

Read more  

A neighbor who will be offering off-site parking?  

Welcome to the forum from another former Wisconsinite.  Hope you'll stick around!  

[MSchott]

Shuttles are the norm at major championships. Oakland Hills is outside of Detroit and is far from remotely located but for the US Amateur last year you parked about 4 miles away at a local school and they shuttled you to the course. It was the same for the Ryder Cup in 2004 but I think parking was at the Pontiac Silverdome about 10 miles away.