The first practice round of the U.S. Open was held Monday at Erin Hills in the town of Erin in Washington County. Players got a feel for the course as fans looked on.
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- Fans stream in the entrance at the start of practice rounds for the U.S. Open Monday.
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- As many as 35,000 people per day will visit Erin Hills during the tournament.
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- Temperatures soared into the 90s Monday, and hydration stations were available throughout the course.
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- This is the first time the U.S. Open has ever been held in Wisconsin, and it’s expected to make a $120 million impact on the region.
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- The USGA provided fan services such as merchandise bag check and shipping.
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- The centerpiece of Fan Central was a large Erin Hills logo created by Milwaukee Blacksmith.
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- Mike Davis, executive director and CEO of the USGA, kicks off the week from Fan Central.
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- Bean bags were set up in front of the leaderboard for fans.
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- More than 400,000 pieces of merchandise are available on-site.
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- The merchandise pavilion is 38,940 square feet.
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- Polo Ralph Lauren is the official outfitter of the tournament.
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- Much of the merchandise is branded with the Erin Hills logo.
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- About 5,400 volunteers are staffing the U.S. Open, many of whom sell merchandise.
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- The headwear section was popular.
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- Volunteer Kevin Hehn stands next to the green and gold caps, the most popular headwear item in the merchandise tent.
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- Corporations with concession tents included Starbucks and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
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- The concessions menu included a few nods to Wisconsin cuisine.
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- Rolex sponsored clocks on the course.
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- Some tickets gave fans access to dining tents.
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- The bar in one of the private dining tents.
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- The food counter at one of the private dining tents. The USGA expects to go through 100,000 hot dogs and 365,000 12-ounce beers during the tournament.
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- Spectators eat in a private dining tent.
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- Lexus displayed its vehicles in a tent in Fan Central.
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- Deloitte sponsored a Golf Innovation Experience tent.
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- The crowd applauded as Steve Stricker approached the 9th green.
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- Steve Stricker putts on the 9th green.
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- Stricker, a Wisconsin native, was a fan favorite.
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- More than 368,440 square feet of canvas went into the tent city created at Erin Hills for the event.
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- Brian Nelson, second from right, looks out at the 18th hole from the Baird hospitality tent.
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- Adam Scott hit several balls from this spot on the 18th fairway.
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- Several players hit more than one ball from a particular lie to see how the course played.
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- There are 156 players competing in the 2017 U.S. Open. Many of them signed autographs for fans today.
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- A caddy walks toward the clubhouse at Erin Hills.
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- About 3,500 tons of HVAC was installed to provide air conditioning in the tents.
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- Erin Hills has been transformed over the past several months with tents and infrastructure.
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- Crowds walk from the main entrance toward the course.
Mike Davis, executive director and chief executive officer of the USGA, kicked off the event this morning at Fan Central, a grouping of tents huddled around the main entrance, designed to make the fan experience as comfortable as possible. He thanked the fans and volunteers, and encouraged them to soak it all in.
“We only get to do the first time at a championship site and this is it,” Davis said.
Tom Coady went straight for the merchandise tent, where he planned to buy a pair of shorts, two shirts and a pullover.
“It’s always great to have something from the event,” he said. “Somebody recognizes it and says, ‘Oh, I went there!’”
An account service vice president at Design Partners in Racine, Coady took the day off work to attend the U.S. Open with friends.
“We went to the PGA Championship two years ago we came on the Monday practice round and we had so much fun,” Coady said. He planned to return on Saturday to see the tournament in action.
Tim Wing, a sourcing and vendor manager at CUNA Mutual Group in Madison, was considering buying an Erin Hills hat as his son, Jake, advised him on what looked best.
“Monday’s a good day to miss work—and tickets were cheaper,” Wing said. He managed to score a ticket for himself on Saturday and picked up a junior ticket for 15-year-old Jake at the gate.
“Being the U.S. Open, it’s a big deal,” Wing said. “It was so close to home we had to come.”
Cindy Bindrich, manager of Studio 890 salon in Brookfield, also attended because the tournament was so close to home.
“I wanted to come to a more casual day where you can maybe talk to (the players) and they joke around a little bit more,” Bindrich said.
Kevin Hehn was volunteering in the headwear section, a popular portion of the 38,940-square-foot merchandise pavilion.
He works for Mitsubishi Electrics from his home in Oconomowoc, but Hehn took a week off work to volunteer and attend the tournament.
“I’m coming every day and I have to work in here Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday,” Hehn said.
The most popular hats so far have been the green and gold caps, he said.
“These Packer-colored hats are really turning people’s heads,” Hehn said. “It’s because of the green and gold. Everyone comes over and tries them on.”
Out on the course, some spectators tried to beat the heat in the corporate hospitality suites set up at several key points on the course.
At the 18th hole, Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. has a suite set up for its employees and clients.
Brian Nelson, human services fiscal manager for Racine County, took advantage of Baird’s suite, which had food and beverages, air conditioning, a TV and a deck overlooking the fairway. His wife, Hollie, works at Baird.
“We wanted to see a practice round and see the course,” Nelson said. “I was more interested in the course—that’s why I specifically chose the practice round day. It’s easier to see the course when it’s not a tournament day.”
Katie Costigan, director of private wealth management branch support at Baird, also came out to Erin Hills Monday.
Most of the Baird employees in the hospitality suite work as financial advisors, and were given the opportunity to indicate their interest ahead of the U.S. Open. Some were attending as a recognition of their work or as a leadership award.
“We have people here every day and I think I saw probably 25 today,” she said. “I’m conversing with clients here, financial advisors and clients in from all over.
“It’s an opportunity to share an experience with our clients. They’re the reason we’re here actually, so for them to be able to share in it, have that perk, makes all the sense in the world.”
