Rocket Mortgage Classic Set To Go Ahead Despite Storms In Detroit
Gale force winds rolled through Detroit on Sunday, causing damage to the host course
The Rocket Mortgage Classic will go ahead 'as planned' this week, despite wild storms sweeping through Michigan at the weekend, causing some damage to Detroit Golf Club.
Winds of between 70 and 80mph were reported in Detroit on Sunday, leaving more than 71,000 people in the city without power, according to local outlet Detroit News.
It cast much uncertainty over whether the Rocket Mortgage Classic would go ahead, with several videos and images emerging online of trees being torn up, showing just how ferocious the gales were.
A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)
A photo posted by on
Standing water can also be seen on several parts of the course but, after much tireless work from ground staff, Executive Director Jason Langwell, on Monday, confirmed that the course would be ready to play.
"We’ll be ready to go at 10am (Tuesday), as planned, opening the gates for our community days, our youth clinic, and our celebrity scramble plans. It’s been a great day and we’re in great shape to get things going tomorrow," he told the PGA Tour's website.
“We’ve been really fortunate. There’s no damage to any of our structures, no damage to the golf course whatsoever. Certainly, some branches down, sticks around, a few trees down, but a handful of companies have come out to help us. It’s just been a yeoman’s effort to get everything cleaned up, but we’ve got a great golf course ready for play.”
Our grounds team are already the MVPs of the week after a storm rolled through Sunday. 🙌 #RocketMortgageClassic pic.twitter.com/aTHuJuRcWIJune 26, 2023
The Executive also confirmed that no one was injured, whilst PGA Tour Senior Tournament Director, Stephen Cox, admitted that they were fortunate that no serious damage was caused.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
“We got incredibly lucky,” Cox said. “The trees fell in the right direction. One fell on a car at the entrance to the club, and another fell in close proximity to the practice putting green and did some minor damage, but if it had fallen 4 or 5 feet to the right it would have been much worse.”
Several big names will be teeing it up this weekend in Detroit, including Max Homa, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and defending champion, Tony Finau. Despite the storms, some have reportedly been out on the back nine playing practice rounds.
Ed has been playing golf for as long as he can remember and is obsessive about the sport. He is regularly sought after by family members and friends for advice on what equipment to buy and uses his background, having written extensively on golf in the past, to produce equipment orientated content for Golf Monthly.
Having obtained a Masters in Law with Medicine from the University of Liverpool, Ed has recently changed paths into journalism and just last year achieved his NCTJ Sports Journalism Diploma with the Press Association.
He has written for a variety of media outlets over the years and has interviewed some big names in sport, including Premier League managers, All Blacks Coaches and Grand Slam tennis superstars. He has also worked on some huge sporting events, including the 2021 Australian Open and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. And when he's not writing for Golf Monthly, you'll find him producing news and feature articles for the MailOnline's sports desk, where he covers everything from football to rugby union.
During his weekends off, you'll likely find Ed heading out for a round at one of his local golf clubs with his friends, and was, up until recently, a member at the Leatherhead Golf Club in Surrey. Ed also plays the saxophone, can tell you some pretty terrible dad jokes and can knock up a very tasty carbonara!
-
Tripp Isenhour Facts: 10 Things To Know About The Golf Channel Broadcaster
Tripp Isenhour has been a Golf Channel regular since 2008 - here are 10 things to know about the former pro
By Mike Hall Published
-
Adam Sandler Hints At Jack Nicklaus Appearance In Happy Gilmore 2 Movie
The actor, who plays the protagonist in the movie, appeared on the Dan Patrick Show to explain Nicklaus’s role in the sequel
By Mike Hall Published
-
Tony Finau Reportedly In Negotiations To Join LIV Golf
The American could be the next high-profile name to leave the PGA Tour after Rahm's big-money switch on Thursday
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Odyssey Golf And YouTube Stars Good Good Collaborate With New Putters
The YouTube group signed a deal with Callaway at the start of 2023 and will release their second limited-edition product together
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Seven-Handicap YouTube Star Defies Odds To Complete Hole-In-One Challenge
YouTube star and CEO of gaming organisation 100 Thieves 'Nadeshot' achieved the feat in little over an hour having rented out a course to put his skills to the test
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Who Are The No Laying Up Members?
Get to know the characters behind the hugely successful golf content creation company
By Ben Fleming Published
-
ESPN Agrees Deal To Broadcast First Season Of TGL
The new goal league, launched by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, is due to start in January 2024
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Robert MacIntyre Hints At PGA Tour Switch After Ryder Cup Success
The Scotsman admitted that he may have to make the move to America if he's to achieve all of his goals within the game
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Honorary European Ryan Fox 'Chuffed' By Europe's Ryder Cup Victory
The New Zealander admitted he was no neutral observer and was pulling for Luke Donald's side last week at Marco Simone
By Ben Fleming Published
-
Max Homa Commits To Debut Appearance In DP World Tour Event
The American will tee it up in the iconic tournament for the first time and will be joined in the field by compatriot Justin Thomas
By Ben Fleming Published