PGA Championship Construction Update

With just over a week left before the first practice round of the 2009 PGA Championship begins, preparations are well underway at Hazeltine.  The course has been transformed to accommodate the thousands of fans — and the world’s top golfers — that will spend the week of August 10 -16 at Hazeltine.  Here are some updated photos of the construction progress — a lot has changed in just a few weeks:

Phil Mickelson Visits Hazeltine for Practice Round

Phil Mickelson didn’t waste any time getting in a practice round at Hazeltine.  A day after announcing his intention to compete for the 91st PGA Championship, Mickelson flew in to Minnesota and squeezed between members and guests for tour around the course.

It was one of the busier days at Hazeltine this summer with preparations for the PGA Championship at a feverish pace and a dual shotgun guest event. Mickelson arrived at the course at around 7a.m., hit some balls on the range and then took to the course.  Hazeltine caddy and Evans Scholar, Michael Young was on “Lefty’s” bag which no doubt was an experience Young won’t soon forget.

Mickelson is planning to play the Bridgestone next week, his first event in six weeks.  The Arizona native was uncertain if he would play in this year’s final major with both his wife, Amy, and mother, Mary, undergoing treatment for breast cancer.  Mickelson skipped this year’s British Open and finished tied for 2nd at the U.S. Open.

Check out some of Phil’s best golf moments:

Hazeltine’s Head Golf Professional Mike Schultz Named to Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame

Head Golf Professional Mike Schultz

Hazeltine’s head golf pro Mike Schultz has been selected by the Minnesota Section PGA and the Minnesota Golf Association as one of the 2009 inductees to the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame.  Mike has been our head golf professional since 1977, and in that time has overseen Hazeltine through more major championships through anyone in the state, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, Women’s U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, PGA Championship, U.S. Mid-Amateur, the NCAA Men’s Championship and the U.S.G.A. Men’s State Team Championship.

PGA Championship Construction Underway

We’re only 25 days away from the first practice round of the PGA Championship, and Hazeltine is busy being readied to accommodate thousands of spectators eager to get a glimpse of their favorite golfers and watch historic shots on the championship course.  The other day I witnessed the transformation myself, as crews assembled the huge main leaderboard, prepared the Wanamaker and merchandise tents and mounted the main entrance.  Here are some shots of the course as it prepares to host the golf world in just a few weeks:

Tom Lehman to Play in PGA Championship

Minnesota golf legend — and Alexandria native — Tom Lehman will return to Hazeltine next month to compete in the 91st PGA Championship.  Earlier today, Lehman was granted an exemption into the tournament from the PGA of America.

This won’t be Lehman’s first time to hit the links at Hazeltine — he tied for 29th at the 2002 PGA Championship here.  His best finish in the PGA Championship is a tie for 10th in 1997.  However, home field advantage and support from Minnesota fans could help Lehman achieve a victory this year.

Lehman will be playing in this week’s British Open before coming to Hazeltine next month.  In 1996, he won the British Open and the PGA Tour Championship, and also was named the PGA Player of the Year.

Mike Barge Qualifies for U.S. Senior Open

Tom Lehman isn’t the only Minnesotan that will be in the field at the 2009 U.S. Senior Open.  Hazeltine Director of Instruction Mike Barge will also contend for the national title at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana.  Barge, shot a 66 at Bunker Hills last week to earn medalist honors.  He and Edina resident John Harris are qualifiers.

 

Barge is no stranger to national professional competition.  He made the PGA Senior Championship field in 2006 and in 2008.  In Minnesota, Mr. Barge has has been recognized for his play and on the lesson tee. He was the 1986 MN PGA Player of the Year, 1989  & 1991 MN PGA Teacher of the Year and 2005 & 2007 MN Senior Player of the Year, Minnesota PF Stroke Play Champion, 2-time MN PGA Match Play Champion, 2006 Minnesota State Open Champion, 2005 Minnesota State Senior Open Champion.

 

Best of luck to Mike at the U.S. Senior Open which begins July 27 and runs through August 2nd.

Arnold Palmer Visits Hazeltine to Cap Whirlwind Weekend

The “King” came to town this weekend and boy did he pack a lot into his visit.  Arnold Palmer spent a large amount of time last week and weekend at the 3M Championship in Blaine, MN.  Though he did not compete in the Champions Tour event, he did partake in the “Greats of Golf” exhibition with the likes of Chi Chi Rodriquez and 1970 U.S. Open Champion, Tony Jacklin.  

 

Mr. Palmer also attended the Starkey Hearing Foundation’s annual “So the World May Hear” gala and then the Starkey Hearing Foundation Golf Outing today at Hazeltine National Golf Club. And you think you have a busy schedule!  

 

We managed to corral Mr. Palmer during a brief media appearance today at Hazeltine and listened in on his thoughts of Hazeltine National Golf Club and the PGA Championship.  

What Makes A Championship Course?

We hear the phrase “Championship Course” bantered around but what really classifies as championship? Some will use that term simply if their course is of adequate length, say over 6,800 yards. But a true championship course offers much more than length.

It’s a delicate balance for a golf course to be playable and enjoyable for recreational players yet challenging for the best players in the world.  When Hazeltine first opened for play in 1962, the fairway bunkers and doglegs were placed 250 yards from the championship tees. Currently, they are placed between 280 and 300 yards from the championship tees. Because of equipment technology and better athletes playing the game, this was necessary to keep the course at the difficulty level we want. Along with added length, these are the other factors the pros expect when playing a “Championship Course”:

• Narrow Fairways: Average between 25 to 30 yards wide. Intimidating to look at and makes the players decide on club selection off the tee. Not every tee shot will be played with the driver.
• High Rough: Puts premium on accuracy. A straight shot should be rewarded before a long shot.
• Firm Greens: Requires a well struck iron from the fairway to hold the green. A higher ball flight has the advantage.
• Fast Greens: A challenge to touch and feel. The player must have control of their nerves to handle the speed.

Rich Beem Visits Hazeltine National Golf Club

2002 PGA Champion Rich Beem withstood an expanded course layout at Hazeltine National Golf Club and then a series of one on one interviews with local media Monday afternoon.  Mr. Beem was joined on the course by friend and Hazeltine member Patrick Hunt during his round.  

 

Beem, who now resides in Austin, Texas enjoyed Minnesota’s cooler temperatures as the mercury nudged the mid-80′s.  After the media sessions both Mr. Beem and Mr. Hunt practiced on the driving range and putting green as the afternoon turned in to early evening.  We spent a few minutes with Mr. Beem prior to his session on the practice tee to talk to him about Hazeltine, the PGA Championship and how his life has changed.

Tuesday night, Mr. Beem turned in his golf clubs for a baseball bat as he took batting practice with the Minnesota Twins and then threw out the first pitch prior to the Twins game versus the Yankees.

The Stage is Getting Set for 2009 PGA Championship

Look around Hazeltine National Golf Club and you’ll notice that things are beginning to change.  If you were a part of the 2002 PGA Championship you may remember the metamorphosis that Hazeltine National experienced in the weeks leading up to the tournament.  In fact, when the grandstands and hospitality tents are up, it’s often hard to imagine what the course looks like without the extra construction.  Impressive as the PGA village becomes, the construction of it is equally impressive.