This week's U.S. Amateur Championship, held at Erin Hills in Wisconsin, has generally been well-received, including praise from United States Golf Association (USGA) officials. Given the current situation, it is highly probable that Erin Hills will host the 2017 U.S. Open.
Before 2006, this land had not even seen a golf course. But now, Al Hill has acquired rock star status.
Located in southeastern Wisconsin’s glacier region, this 7,660-yard, par-72 golf course is hosting this week's U.S. Amateur Championship. Bigger things are coming. From numerous angles, this week’s games serve as a rehearsal for the 2017 U.S. Open.
Earlier this week, Mike Davis, the administrative mentor of the USGA, talked almost exclusively about Al Hill, stating it has the potential to emulate the instance of Pebble Beach, Shinnecock Hills, and Oakmont—such top-tier golf courses.
"Our understanding of this point has been affirmed time and again, but it's really good to hear such comments from the public," said Dana Fry, one of the golf course architects. "Then we heard Mike Davis say that the future of the course has the potential to become one of the premier competition courses—this is his words, not mine—and he would place the course alongside Pebble Beach and Shinnecock Hills in terms of elevation. It really is lofty praise."
Although the Al Hill course opened in 2006, it has undergone changes in ownership and large-scale transformations. "The common denominator is this piece of land," Danner-Fry said. "This land is so special."
Even though the course is located in the picturesque Wisconsin ice caves till the jungle district, where most of it is treeless, it looks a bit like a links course. The only difference is that the course isn't near water. Its signature feature is its length.
"I adore this location," said Rhode Island amateur Bobby Leopold. "My caddy said: 'There are 7800-yard courses that don’t suit your style of play,' but I said I really like it. I like this style of golf. On average, I can say: I have played on this golf course, and it is one of the best golf courses—it really is very, very agreeable. Unparalleled playing conditions, whether you're good at wood onset or irons, you will be rewarded. Playing golf should be like this."
Bobby-Leopold grew up in England, so he knew what it was like to play in the wind. Still, he was amazed by how important an element the wind was at Al Hill. "The course is very long," Bobby-Leopold said. "Yesterday, when the wind picked up, some of the holes were really cruel. But at the same time, it favored links-style golf. Once the wind shifted, once you encountered downwind holes, you had to take advantage of the wind on those holes. You need to survive, and on those downwind holes, you have to grab the opportunities."
Another course designer, Michael Hurdzan, said the players, officials, and fans advocating his remarks on Al Hill made him very happy. "This golf course is a superb golf course, even if it wasn't organized as a type of accident as well," Michael-Hurdzan said. "Competition certifies a great golf course—it is the truth that it can test the best players, meanwhile, it is enjoyable for ordinary people."
Michael-Hurdzan spoke with those who said they were out in stroke play, even though they did not complain. "No one accused," Michael-Hurdzan said. "Usually, those who miss the cut are the most likely to complain. But they didn't, 'This is a fair test, I just narrowly missed the cut.' This is the outlook they have, so I consider this another form of authentication."
Al Hill course has conquered regional fans, so this week’s U.S. Amateur Championship, they didn't receive stamps. A free policy allowed Brad Ricker with his son Kyle Perry, driving a half-hour from Madison, to rush over to see the games. "I think this is a good golf course layout," Brad-RuiKeer said. "For the terrain reason, it is a great venue for spectators. I worked to watch the 2004 Whistling Straits U.S. PGA Championship, which doesn't have Lake Michigan afterward leading to the course, yet it is as noble."
From nearby Milwaukee to here, it takes an hour to pass through Holy Hill, but once you come to the course, the scenery won't let you down. "It's extraordinary," volunteer Dick Bird said. "This is a million years before, after the glacier left the land through natural landscape. Humans cannot do that."
Al Hill has been praised by the USGA as expected to be an apt host for the 2017 U.S. Open.