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In 1930 Bobby Jones won the men’s U.S. Open at Interlachen en route to sweeping what then was considered the grand slam of golf (including the British Open, U.S. Amateur and British Amateur).
A replica set of Jones’ hickory-shafted clubs hang on a wall in the Interlachen clubhouse, and a plaque marks the spot on the 18th fairway where Jones launched a lucky shot that skipped off a lilly pad and over a pond in the second round. He eventually won by two shots.
With a strong field of 156 players, led by Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, playing the longest course in Women’s Open history, the USGA has high hopes for the event, which begins Thursday.
“(Minnesota) is one of the great states in the country to hold a championship. People are so enthusiastic and have a genuine sense of history about the game. There’s something magical about Minnesota,” said Mike Davis, USGA director of rules and competitions, at a recent Women’s Open media day.
Defending champion Cristie Kerr, 30, who also attended the media day, is hoping her game peaks this week like it did 52 weeks ago.
“I feel I’ve played very well (this year) but have not yet reached the pinnacle of my game,” said Kerr, from Florida. “I feel my game is at a point where I can win again.”
Kerr admitted that Ochoa, who has won six times this year and leads the LPGA money list, is the favorite. “The confidence she has it just amazing,” Kerr said of Ochoa.
In 2007 Kerr won her first Women’s Open, topping Ochoa at Pine Needles in South Carolina. That course was designed by noted U.S. architect Donald Ross, who also designed Interlachen.
Interlachen, a parkland-style course with mature trees and devilish greens, will play to 6,789 yards — about 100 yards longer than in 1930 for the men’s U.S. Open — and a par of 73. It features rolling terrain, several water hazards and numerous bunkers. Sixteen of the 18 greens are original.
“It’s such a natural course. They moved very little dirt. There are wonderful undulations on the fairways and not a lot of flat lies,” Davis said.
Players are expected to make up ground on the five par 5s and be challenged on the par 3s and par 4s. The course has five short but strategic par 4s with severe bunkering.
Officials said that when Sorenstam, the 2006 Women’s Open champ, announced earlier this year she would be retiring at the end of the season, ticket sales for the Open took off.
Crowds will be limited to 22,500 a day.
Youth 17 and under do not need a ticket if accompanied by a paid adult. As part of a Catch the Spirit program, all youth also will receive a free cap and meal. Also, the front row of every grandstand will be reserved for youth.
Scooter cars and special viewing areas for spectators with disabilities also will be provided.
Parking is free, and shuttles will drop off spectators at the course.
