By Raymond Rolak
SPORTS EDITOR
There is a historic oak tree to the right side of the tee box on hole number one. It was bent by Native Americans to mark the trail when traveling from Detroit to Saginaw. It is one of the historic elements kept by Donald Ross when he designed the Detroit Golf Club in 1916.
The extraordinary hospitality extended by the membership of the Detroit Golf Club, which is hosting the Rocket Mortgage Classic this week, is signaling Detroit’s renewed renaissance.
Keith Studzinski, the Green Committee Chairman has the course set to 72 for par and 7,330 yards long. This is about average for a PGA event but expect a birdy frenzy by contenders. It will be hot and with some showers and that will help slow down the putting.
The winner’s purse will check in at $1,314,000 with the overall prize pool stands at $7,300,000.
The rich history of the Detroit Golf Club with its Albert Kahn designed clubhouse have made a four year commitment to the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Holes 14-16 will be known as AREA 313 and are being set up to be the party holes for the gallery. This zone of the course will be lively and have an upbeat and lively atmosphere. Friday and Saturday after the golf competition is concluded, a musical concert will be presented to keep the party going.
A large Fan Zone has been established, where a golf simulator and youth activities will be available. CBS will cover the live action and championship presentation on broadcast television.
The PGA TOUR co-sanctions more than 130 tournaments on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Series-China. www.rocketmorgageclassic