Detroit Golf Club used sod from famous course to repair vandalized greens

After news broke that two of the Detroit Golf Club’s greens slated to be used in the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic were vandalized this spring, there were concerns they couldn’t be repaired in time to use for the PGA Tour’s visit beginning June 29.

Testing revealed Roundup, a weed killer, was poured on two greens, Nos. 11 and 12, killing much of the grass.

Jason Langwell, executive director of the

Rocket Mortgage Classic, said Monday at the event’s media day that all necessary repairs to the greens have been completed and they are tournament-ready.

He said sod from Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, scheduled home of the 2025 U.S. Open, was brought in to help regrow grass on the two greens.

“They’re in great shape,” Langwell said. “These guys got on it. They’ve come in great. We’ve had great weather for growing, cool nights and that, so they’ll be awesome come tournament time.”

Tourney’s roster grows

Joel Dahmen, Justin Suh, Keegan Bradley and 2023 European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald are the four latest golfers to join the field this summer.

The fifth edition of the tournament is slated to feature Max Homa, Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa, as well as defending champion Tony Finau.

Finau said Monday via a video conference call that he was excited to get back to Detroit because of all the fan support he received on his journey to victory last year.

“I really look forward to just being back and connecting with all the fans there and being a part of this tournament for many years to come,” Finau said.

The first of four consecutive rounds for the tournament is scheduled to begin June 29. There will be plenty of action before the main event though, with the The John Shippen Invitational, a youth clinic and the AREA 313 celebrity scramble.

Participants in the June 27 scramble will include Tom Izzo, Calvin Johnson, Barry Sanders, Dylan Larkin, Chris Webber and Mike “The Miz” Mizanin.