Chaska, MN—Few courses that have remained active in hosting major events of all types have undergone the series of improvements Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, MN has gone through. Opened for play in 1962 and designed by the legendary architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Hazeltine has had an array of cosmetic changes over the years and can be now stretched to just over an imposing 7,600 yards.
Beyond the various course improvements made over the years, Hazeltine National will also feature a re-routing of the existing layout. The reason? Simple. The host club -- in concert with the PGA of America -- opted to include more grandstand and corporate tents, hence more money to be pocketed. The original routing -- holes #16 and #17 -- were not as conducive for such purposes and therefore flipped to the outward nine location.
Rees Jones, Trent’s youngest son, has also played a major role in beefing up the course and eliminating the original elements -- countless dog-legs -- detested by many of the game’s best players going back to when the course first really hit the golf spotlight when hosting the 1970 U.S. Open. Hazeltine National doesn’t possess a stunning array of holes but it does require top tier execution and will not tolerate wayward play or ill-thought out decision making.
The four holes below could very well play a major role in shaping not only the outcome of various matches but ultimately determining what side prevails and takes possession of The Ryder Cup.
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7th Hole - 402 Yards / Par-4
Originally the 16th hole was a pedestrian par-3 -- the later creation of this hole which came into being prior to the 1983 U.S. Senior Open -- added a good deal more theater than present before. Set adjoining Lake Hazeltine, the players will need to choose wisely off the tee as the hole turns right in the drive zone. Trees protect the right side and a menacing creek hugs the left side. The green is exposed and sits on a slight rise of land that juts into the lake. The green is set at an angle so getting the right club selection is crucial. Wind velocities can also play havoc with shots as the putting surface is completely exposed to the winds off the adjacent lake. It’s just too bad this hole is no longer in the preferred 16th hole position.
