Michigan Golf Journal August 2021

practical consideration for what happens underground as well as what we did architecturally.” What Hanse and associates did was re-expose the natural landscape that had been over-run by trees the past couple generations, which revealed the true features of the land where Donald Ross first designed the routing. Many bunkers were removed, but those that remained became bigger with more risk- reward elements. Hole 3 was moved a little, and hole 7 removed the lake and restored the creek crossing the fairway more than once. Sightlines became dramatic again, like the original layout over 100 years ago. The question remains: will Oakland Hills get a major out of this? Most fans assume that major championship sites are chosen based on history, design and traditions – and there is some of that. But modern-day majors also must tick off all the boxes for playability in multiple conditions, the fans’ ability to traverse the course, selling hospitality tents, keeping the live TV broadcast on time and – most notably – controlling the course’s condition. Hanse pointed out how much importance the USGA and the PGA of America place on a site’s infrastructure. That’s where the new PrecisionAir system comes in that can control all aspects of the greens. It was about half the total cost of $12 million invested at Oakland Hills for this restoration. It allows for the heating, cooling, drying out or watering of all 18 greens, from underneath the surface. Overnight, the course can be adjusted to change the firmness and roll of the ball as the weather changes. The USGA for example would not have to worry about “losing the course” at Oakland Hills like it did at U.S. Opens at Shinnecock Hills in 2004 and again in 2018, plus Chambers Bay in 2015. “I think architecturally, the golf course is more interesting for everybody to play (now),” Hanse said. “And I think that is the primary benefit. “The bones of the golf course were always strong enough to challenge the best golfers in the world. So, I don’t know that the litmus test for the USGA or PGA is going to be is, can it still challenge the best golfers in the world? Michigan Golf Journal Oakland Hills Reborn