Erin Hills a tough test for golfers and USGA

THE US Open is always billed as the ultimate test in golf due to course conditions but this week could also be one of the toughest logistical challenges as the major comes to Erin Hills for the first

time. A sprawling links-style layout nestled in the bucolic Wisconsin countryside about 35 miles outside Milwaukee, Erin Hills offers a new challenge for the world’s best golfers and an equalling daunting test for everyone from volunteers to police. With no blueprint to follow, getting more than 35,000 spectators, 5,000-plus volunteers, hundreds of media and 156 golfers in and out and around the golf course will be a monumental logistical feat. “It’s tough,” United States Golf Association executive director Mike Davis told Reuters yesterday.

“Not having an event at the same place every year is a challenge because you have different volunteers, different vendors, different police.

“Once you’ve done an event at the same place over and over you get pretty good at it.”

As with most big sporting or entertainment events weather is the wildcard, and with blazing temperatures and a threat of violent thunderstorms spectator safety will be a prime concern.

As menacing clouds gathered yesterday several spectators who asked red-shirted volunteers where to go if the evacuation siren sounds were told to seek cover, which may prove difficult at a venue with only a handful of permanent buildings on site.

With just one two-lane road leading in and out of Erin Hills and only 300 parking spaces on site the US Open will be a major traffic headache for both fans and police.

While the USGA and organisers believe they have prepared for almost every contingency Davis admitted you never know what can happen.

“We know we’ve had some issues the last two years,” said Davis.

“Moving forward we want a nice, smooth US Open.

“But, listen, we’re prepared – you never know what’s going to happen with Mother Nature. – Reuters