Hurdzan happy with results

On Tuesday of U.S. Open week, the spotlight was just getting ready to shine its brightest on Erin Hills when Golfdom ran into celebrated architect Dr. Col. Mike Hurdzan, ASGCA.

The winner of the 2013 Old Tom Morris Award was thrilled with the look and presentation of the course, and wasn’t at all concerned with areas of rough that were being mown down late in the game.

“This week has gone exceedingly well. I visited with 20 groups of golfers (on Sunday before the tournament), heard their comments, and everyone was enjoying the golf course,” Hurdzan told Golfdom. “Certainly, the conditions of the golf course is incredible, what Zach and his crew have done is phenomenal. I think it’s going to be a very good tournament. The rain has softened it up a little bit but hopefully it dries out a little.”

When asked about the decision to mow down areas of tall fescue on specific area of the course, Hurdzan didn’t seem to mind.

“It’s like being in the military, you have to be flexible and you have to be able to react to conditions,” the retired U.S. Army Colonel said. “Zach and his volunteers have done that very well. The unexpected is going to happen, just be prepared. They certainly were.”

The conditions of the course, especially the greens, were hailed by pros as being some of the best they’d seen. Hurdzan was happy with that critique, if a little disappointed with the weather.

“I think, for all the rain we had… the greens are in great condition, the bunkers are fine. The whole course is playable even after about six hours of rain,” he said. “But certainly, the longer hitters are going to have an advantage now that it’s gotten wet.”