OUT OF BOUNDS


By Joe Passov


An odd year for USGA majors, starting out with Erin Hills


I


f you think the pros howled about Chambers Bay in 2015, wait until you hear the reactions for this year’s U.S. Open venue,


Erin Hills. It is guaranteed to be a full-fledged, emotional roller coaster that will rival the course’s contours. Wisconsin’s first U.S. Open will take


place in June at a Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry/Ron Whitten design created in 2006. Erin Hills is situated 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee. The links-styled layout unfolds over the kind of rumpled, fescue- covered, mostly treeless terrain that had me thinking I was 35 miles from Ireland’s famed Ballybunion, only it’s Miller being brewed down the street, not Guinness. The pros will be grateful for either beverage after dueling with its 7,693 yards, including a par-5 18th


hole that can


ramble on for 675 yards, even if the actual daily yardage will be somewhat less. The game’s best will face a firm,


fast-running, breeze-fueled layout chock full of chaotic shapes. Nature created the landscape a few eons ago when ice sheets and glaciers collided; the architects employed a light touch in smoothing things over when they designed it, which will yield golf balls caroming and careening this way and that, stopped perhaps only by the nastiest set of bunkers this side of Oakmont. The architects did not do flat-bottom


bunkers. Players will see sidehill lies in the sand, as well as downhill lies, even lies with restricted backswings. When I played the course, I studied one shot on the vicious little par-3 ninth hole, where I wasn’t sure how I could advance the ball in ANY direction. So why in the world would the USGA


pick this place? Chalk it up to the USGA’s zeal in seeking out new sites for their biggest events, especially long and strong public-access courses, and especially in the Midwest, where there is enough room to handle everything involved in hosting the circus that is a major championship. It was love at first sight for the USGA


brass. They were so impressed with the potential at Erin Hills that before the course was even finished they awarded it the 2008 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links. In 2011, the USGA did a second test run here, contesting the U.S. Amateur, which proved mostly successful, with a field that included Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau. On that occasion, however, it played a little softer than it will for the U.S. Open. Frankly, Erin Hills should present


a terrific test for this year’s U.S. Open. If the wind blows and the greens get too fast, look out. It could get ugly. Still, if Erin Hills can be considered


controversial, it can’t hold a candle to the lightning rod venue for the 2017 U.S.


Patrick Cantlay hits a shot from Erin Hills’ challenging terrain during the 2011 U.S. Amateur Championship. Erin Hills will host this summer’s U.S. Open.


Women’s Open — Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey. This one could get crazy good or just crazy. Golf’s ruling body is sensitive to


Trump and the politics that come with his presidency, noting in a recent statement: “The USGA has a deep respect for the freedoms we all enjoy in this country to express our views.” And the USGA is excited “to provide a comprehensive test of golf for the very best female players in the world.” Who knows? There could be protests,


demonstrations or other disruptions. At a minimum, there will be chaos, likely both on and off this wonderful golf course. It would be unfortunate if the course doesn’t get its due because of a distraction. Bedminster is the summer weekend getaway for Trump, his wife, Melania, and their son, Barron. The president will no doubt seize the occasion to preside. Look for the longest lines and heaviest security of any golf event ever. There are other stellar USGA sites


this year as well. Los Angeles Country Club’s legendary North course, which has shunned the tournament spotlight since 1954, gets the Walker Cup in September. Its fabled neighbor to the west, Riviera, hosts the U.S. Amateur in August. Pristine Pinehurst No. 2 is home to the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball in late May. The U.S. Senior Open heads to bewitching Salem Country Club near Boston, a Donald Ross masterpiece at the end of June. Of course, you’ll have to watch all


of these telecasts on FOX Sports, which has endured two wildly uneven years as the broadcast partner of our national championships. Can Joe Buck and Co., show the golf play-by-paly chops to be trusted in the role? Hopefully, the third time will be the charm. Here’s looking forward to a


memorable, if potentially wacky year of big-time USGA championships. n


Joe Passov, aka Travelin’ Joe, rates golf courses and travel destinations for GOLF magazine. He lives in Scottsdale.


44 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRING 2017 www.azgolf.org


JONATHAN DANIEL/GETTY IMAGES


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46