The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Picturesque course will debut with a biggie: the U.S. Open
The roots of the golf course that will host the U.S. Open in Wisconsin stretch all the way back to the Ice Age. Retreating glaciers carved out the rolling terrain on the picturesque property that would become known as Erin Hills.
A tournament thousands of years in the making has finally arrived — Erin Hills makes its major championship debut when the 2017 U.S. Open tees off June 15.
All eyes will focus on how the roughly 7,700-yard, par-72 course will test the world’s best golfers in its inaugural major appearance.
“The good thing is that hardly anyone ... maybe a handful of guys, maybe less — but everyone’s kind of new to the golf course,” Jason Day said after playing the Memorial.
The sightlines at Erin Hills are striking. In late afternoon, right about at the time when the last groups should be playing the final holes on Sunday, the fading light from the setting sun drapes the undulating course and creates breathtaking views.
The architects of the 652acre public course made it a point to make minimal alterations to the land. Usually, course designers move tons of soil.
Bob Lang, the course’s original owner, bought the former cattle pasture in 1999. The course didn’t open until 2006.
The U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship was held in 2008. In 2009, Lang sold the property to business executive Andy Ziegler.
The following year, Erin Hills was awarded the 2017 U.S. Open.