Erin Hills is a golf course in the north central United States, located in Erin, Wisconsin, in Washington County, 35 miles (55 km) northwest of Milwaukee. The course officially opened in 2006.[3] It hosted the 117th U.S. Open in 2017.[4] The announcement was made in 2010. It was the first USGA regular men's event ever awarded to a course owned by an individual. The 2011 U.S. Amateur, won by Kelly Kraft, was also held at Erin Hills.[1]

Erin Hills
Erin Hills is located in the United States
Erin Hills
Location within the United States
Erin Hills is located in Wisconsin
Erin Hills
Location within Wisconsin
43°14′42″N 88°23′42″W / 43.245°N 88.395°W / 43.245; -88.395
Club information
LocationErin, Wisconsin, U.S.
Elevation1,000 feet (300 m)
Established2006, 20 years ago
TypePublic
OwnerAndrew Ziegler
Total holes18
TournamentsU.S. Open (2017),
U.S. Amateur (2011)
GreensBentgrass
FairwaysFine fescue[1]
Websiteerinhills.com
Designed byMichael Hurdzan,
Dana Fry, Ron Whitten (2006) Dana Fry & Jason Straka (2015 renovation)
Par72
Length7,731 yards (7,069 m)
Course rating77.9
Slope rating145[2]

History

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Erin Hills was built by Wisconsin developer Bob Lang, who used his own money to fund the course. Designers included Dr. Michael John Hurdzan and his business partner Dana Fry, and Ron Whitten. Determined to bring the U.S. Open to Erin Hills and at the suggestion of USGA officials, Lang made many changes to the layout of the course, dramatically changing several holes. Lang's ultimate goal of bringing the U.S. Open forced him to sell the course, due to financial difficulties.[5]

Andrew Ziegler purchased the course in 2009; as part of his commitment to upgrading the conditioning of the golf course, he said that Erin Hills would be operated on a "walking-only" basis starting in 2010. Unlike most modern courses, Erin Hills was not outfitted with paved cart paths.[6] The average elevation of the course is approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) above sea level, about 400 feet (120 m) higher than Lake Michigan to the east.

Grounds

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The course includes a manor home specifically built as a hotel that includes a pub, and a refurbished caddie barn. The grounds have been upgraded to include cottages for overnight stay. About four miles (6.5 km) to the east on higher ground is the landmark Holy Hill shrine, visible from the course.[7]

Erin Hills' Irish-themed shamrock was inspired by the old bell on the course imported from Europe. Each petal was inspired from the iron art on the bell. The logo was designed by Brenda Williams, a competitive golfer from Minnetrista, Minnesota.[citation needed]

Major tournaments hosted

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Scorecard

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Erin Hills
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Black 77.9 / 145 552361476445462237607492163379550442346421261337019048166339207715
Blue 75.2 / 140 5363584334374392085764411603588 47840643419359435918044763737287316
Green 73.3 / 135 5163364023954031885514151473353 44935539617050735016543462234486801
Green/White 72.2 / 132 5163184023874031765033631423210 42135538216250735016543455733336543
White 70.7 / 128 4853183663873591765033631423099 42131538216247329914538555731396238
White/Gold 67.9 / 122 4853183662803591763893631382874 29831530715243829914532250627825656
SI Men's 3137119151517 41410182121686
Par 54444354336 4443543453672
SI Women's 3117951711315 41281821016146
White 75.6 / 131 4853183663873591765033631423099 42131538216247329914538555731396238
White/Gold 72.2 / 124 4853183662803591763893631382874 29831530715243829914532250627825656
Gold 69.2 / 118 3862232992803201243892391382398 29827730715243825213132250626835081

Source:[8]

References

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  1. 1 2 "U.S. Amateur" (PDF). Erin Hills, Wisconsin: GCSAA. Tournament Fact Sheet. August 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  2. "Course Rating and Slope Database™: Erin Hills". USGA. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  3. D'Amato, Gary. "The Making of Erin Hills: The Complete Story". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  4. Greenstein, Teddy (July 5, 2014). "Erin Hills making changes in advance of 2017 U.S. Open". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  5. Sens, Josh (May 27, 2017). "Bob Lang dreamed Erin Hills into existence—then watched it slip through his fingers". Golf.com. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  6. Erin Hills' buyer: No carts allowed
  7. Ritter, Jeff (June 15, 2017). "Inside Holy Hill, the sacred basilica overlooking Erin Hills". Golf.com. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  8. "Scorecard".
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